The two key railway stations in Mumbai that see a very high footfall and pedestrian movement on the outside, Kurla and Bandra, continue to remain neglected, and the best possible solution in the given scenario would be to introduce a Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) at these spots to segregate and streamline traffic and people, suggest experts.
Updated On: 2022-10-17 03:23 PM IST
A SATIS basically facilitates the mass dispersal of passengers outside the station. Stations tend to get crowded with the arrival of trains and hence this comprehensive plan was mooted to decongest them. It includes the development of infrastructure around the station
An exponential rise in the station’s commuter numbers is seen ever since the business hub of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) came up and the civic body’s efforts to set up more infrastructure came to nought, making a stampede-like situation during peak hours an everyday affair
Kurla is another station where the municipal body needs to implement a SATIS, as extreme crowding is seen in both the east and west. The situation is comparatively worse in the west from where commuters walk towards LBS Road and the BKC junction
According to a survey conducted by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the professional services consulting firm Wilbur Smith Associates, Bandra station on an average sees 4,91,106 passengers entering and exiting at any time, the third-highest on WR after Churchgate and Andheri. From Bandra station, one can board trains to both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Churchgate and also reach Bandra Terminus
Kurla station on an average sees 3,80,930 passengers and witnesses high boarding and alighting during the morning and evening peak hours. From the station, one can catch trains for both mainline and harbour line. It is a key junction for Navi Mumbai and commuters can also connect with Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
