Commuters fume as newest station Mumbra turns out to be the only station on the stretch without elevators or lifts
The new Mumbra station
The new Mumbra railway station platforms that opened last week are the only ones on the new Thane-Diva stretch without any escalator or lifts. The material for escalators is lying outside the station for years now, and a land dispute is being blamed.
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The new platforms that opened last week are on the opposite side of the residential area due to changes in the alignment. The earlier CSMT-bound slow platform, which was abutting the road and did not require climbing any bridge, has now been converted into a fast local platform where trains do not halt. The slow platform has now been shifted to the other side, leading to commuters facing issues.
The earlier CSMT-bound slow platform, which was abutting the road and did not require climbing any bridge, has now been converted into a fast local train platform where trains do not halt
“New platform has begun functioning, but there are no escalators or lifts at Mumbra station. All our neighbouring stations have the facility, why not Mumbra?” asked Majid Shaikh, a daily commuter.
“The escalators were sanctioned for Mumbra station in 2018. The material for the installation of an escalator has been lying near the railway premises in dilapidated condition. The court case to acquire the land has been on for the past 10 years. The railway authorities, who were aware of this, should not have chosen that location for the escalator. It is a clear case of mismanagement and poor planning,” local activist Nazim Ansari said.
“Why is there not a single escalator at Mumbra railway station? After the installation of the third and fourth track, it is very difficult for an elderly, disabled person or pregnant woman to cross,” another commuter Muneef Shaikh said. Another commuter Sameer Malik said this was discrimination against commuters from Mumbra.
Escalators to be installed by April: Central Railway
Central Railway officials have said that escalators at Mumbra are being planned, and they will be installed by April 2022. “Three escalators, including one on the new platform, and two lifts (on platforms one and two) have been planned at Mumbra station. The work for installation is now on. Local residents had made a claim on a railway land where the work was to be done. Now, the issue has been resolved,” Central Railway chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said.
CR’s plan for Mumbra station
>> Two escalators (up and down) in the east circulating area
>> One escalator on a new platform
>> 2 elevators on platforms
2018
The year escalators were sanctioned for Mumbra station
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