Civic administration plans to decongest station roads and make footpaths commuter-friendly, by implementing Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS)
Considered every commuter’s nightmare, especially during the monsoon, a facelift for Kurla station premises is in the offing.
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Ugly traffic jams and encroachment of footpaths have made Kurla station premises every traveller’s nightmare. File pic
It has been learnt that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to decongest the station road and make the obsolete footpaths commuter-friendly, by implementing Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) for the first time at Kurla station.
While the project has received an in-principle nod from the administration, the civic body has already appointed a consultant to study and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) plan.
NCP corporator and L ward committee chairperson Dr Saida Khan first mooted the proposal during a ward committee meeting held in June 2014, following which it was tabled before the General Body.
Kurla needs SATIS
At present, Thane is the only railway station where SATIS was successfully implemented in 2009 at a cost of R36 crore. With approximately 5 lakh commuters travelling via Kurla daily, it is one of the busiest railway stations. It serves as a junction for Central and Harbour lines.
Also, those working at commercial districts like Bandra-Kurla Complex, Kalina and Andheri alight at Kurla. An officer from L ward, who is part of the project, said, “Nearly 75,000 commuters travels via BEST buses from Kurla (West) and about 60,000 from Kurla (East) daily.
Besides, auto rickshaws, taxis, private buses, and vehicles also operate during peak hours. All this has clogged the station area. Though we haven’t set a deadline for the project, but it’ll be initiated once the study is done.”
Corporator speak
Saida Khan, who has been following up the matter for the last eight months, said, “The clogged roads near station inconveniences people, travelling to and from Kurla, and locals greatly. Besides, encroachment of footpaths by illegal hawkers has deteriorated the situation further.
All this has hampered pedestrian and vehicular movement near the station.” Khan added that she visited to Thane station, and observed how SATIS has worked wonders. “Unwanted congestion of vehicles and pedestrians has been eliminated post-implementation of the scheme.
It (SATIS) will definitely help decongest Kurla. Corporation has approved the proposal and authorities have been asked to carry out study for SATIS,” she said.
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