Hold your breath in these subways

Pathetic condition of subways in the city drives pedestrians above ground, braving the chaotic traffic and putting their lives at risk

Hold your breath in these subways

Pathetic condition of subways in the city drives pedestrians above ground, braving the chaotic traffic and putting their lives at risk

Mini garbage dump: Pavement dwellers have shifted address to Borivli
subway and garbage is strewn all around. Grime and pan stains line the
walls leading to the subway shopping centre. Pics/Nimesh Dave

Amboli subway lacks appropriate ventilation and could be a long breathless
walk. To walk on the road is to flirt with danger since there is no sidewalk
or pavement

The incomplete Andheri (W) subway resembles a war zone with debris
and obstacles in every direction. Pedestrians use the road presently since
work here appears to have been put on hold.

Long dusty walk: Pedestrians using the subway at Khar (W) have to bear
with the dust and pollution left behind by passing vehicles. Lighting is dim
u00a0and at nighttime, this stretch becomes a nightmare.

The crumbling ceilings, paan-stained walls, garbage strewn steps and dank atmosphere within these conduits are speak volumes about the civic body's total disregard for tax payer's money. Pedestrians prefer to remain above ground and avoid subways even though the BMC has painstakingly constructed what they thought would be a boon to the public.u00a0u00a0

MiD DAY visited subways at Borivli, Amboli (Andheri), Khar (W), Sion, Churchgate, Metro, Haji Ali and came away with pictures that speak a thousand words.

Graffit art
In an effort to encourage people to use subways, the Yuva Sena had filed a petition last month, which the BMC accepted. The party claims that this move was put forward since they want to encourage people to use the subways.

The brightly painted graffiti art on the walls will encourage people to use the subways and in addition, they propose to organize an event to have the blank sidewalls of the Vasudev Balwant Phadke Subway (Metro Junction near St Xavier's College) painted by young artists from Mumbai.

The Other Side

Mayor Shraddha Jadhav told MiD DAY's Ranjeet Jadhav, "It is the job of BMC to look after the maintenance of subways that fall under its jurisdiction and if local ward offices are not doing their duty, then I will speak with the u00a0Municipal Commissioner regarding this issue to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to pedestrians."

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