Need official agencies to come together for a solution

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Thousands of people working in BKC, Kurla and Government Colony are hugely inconvenienced over the inordinate delay in the construction of a nullah wall outside the Bandra station on the east side. Because of the work, office-goers are forced to walk a good 250 m to board BEST buses.

A report in this paper had several commuters talking about how auto rickshaws to their destination were at least 12 times higher than the bus fare.

Bus services will be started from the spot only after the wall is complete as that is absolutely necessary, officials stated. However, that may be completed only post monsoon, so there is urgent need for some relief through a temporary solution at least.

Maybe, an iron fence can be built in the meanwhile and bus services resume closer to the station, at the stops that were there earlier.

It is right for officials to be concerned about overcrowding in this area and without a wall, there is a real likelihood of a person falling into the nullah. Safety should always be at the top of the pyramid, but we must now find that balance between easing commuter woes and the safety aspect.

This is especially important given that Mumbai's most challenging season - the monsoon - is around the corner. Crowds at stations, even more desperation to get to work or home, slippery roads, nightmarish waterlogging, frantic people who are right in the midst of all this... a scenario that we all are familiar with and must prepare for.

Let us see every official agency come together and work on a feasible way out instead of frittering away precious time on finger pointing and blame game.

A wall is a must as officials say but because of the trouble for people, a way out should be thought of and implemented.