Mumbai: Here’s how we can have world class stations: NGO shows Railways

Representation Pic

A city-based NGO known as ‘The Walking Project,' dedicated to creating a pedestrian-friendly environment in the city and ensuring safe, convenient, and joyful walking experiences, has submitted a comprehensive proposal to Central Railway. The proposal contains a series of suggestions aimed at enhancing Mumbai's railway stations as part of the Amrit Bharat scheme.

The initiative by Central Railway aims to upgrade and modernise 76 railway stations across the region. The railways had invited input from the public to contribute ideas for the design and feel of these stations. On August 6, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for the first phase at three suburban stations: Parel, Vikhroli, and Kanjurmarg.

Vedant Mhatre, the programme manager of ‘The Walking Project,' emphasised the importance of transportation in the city's mobility, sustainability, and walkability. He stated, "In our suggestions, we have taken up pivotal areas of improvement for rail stations, encompassing signage, sustainability, technological interventions, safety measures, and aesthetics. The recommendations presented are the result of collaborative input from citizens, passenger advocates, and transportation experts." The suggestions are organised into five distinct categories: signage standardisation, sustainability initiatives, technological interventions, safety measures, and aesthetics & aura.

Mhatre further detailed the proposals: "We propose a uniform signage approach to guide passengers intuitively without assistance and have suggested standardising and decluttering platform signage. For sustainability, we have proposed integrating solar panels on platform roofs, installing EV charging facilities in parking lots, and designating space for bicycles for last-mile connectivity. Technological advancements include upgrading PA systems, increasing ticket machines, and strategically placing ticket QR codes."

Design of station building to be inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture. Representation pics

He continued, "The fourth aspect is safety, which is paramount. Addressing platform height concerns, improving camera coverage around ladies' coaches, maintaining sstactile flooring continuity, and settling on a universal international standard for tactile floors for the blind. Currently, both WR & CR use different materials causing confusion and introduce sheltered waiting areas. The last, but not least, is about aesthetics & aura. Aesthetics play a crucial role in shaping the commuter mood and station perception towards the city. We propose exploring taller roofs to create a more spacious feeling & roomy atmosphere on platforms and ensuring colour consistency in roofing material."

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Mhatre expressed his belief that these suggestions could transform rail stations into efficient, sustainable, and all-inclusive hubs that cater to the diverse needs of commuters, thereby elevating the overall commuting experience in Mumbai.

Railway officials welcomed the suggestions, pledging to carefully review each proposal. An official stated, "The work of upgrading to Amrit Bharat stations involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lifts/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product,' better passenger information systems. The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration and ‘Roof Plazas' as per necessity, phasing and feasibility, and creation of city centres at the station in the long term."

76
No of stations to be upgraded