The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has suggested building subways to stop trespassing on railway tracks and reduce fatalities. MRVC is part of the Ministry of Railways and has placed this idea under the fourth phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).
As per a report by HT, the plan is to replace foot overbridges, road overbridges, and skywalks with subways that would be built about four metres below ground level in areas between stations where people often cross the tracks.
As part of the plan, MRVC will survey all mid-sections between two stations on the Central and Western Railways where trespassing is common. The results will help decide where subways can be built. Interestingly, most of the present subways leak or have moisture problems.
The MUTP 4 strategy includes both network expansion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and safety measures to stop accidents. As per the HT report, officials said people still trespass despite many existing foot overbridges. Subways would cost nearly the same as bridges but are easier to use.
The idea has received support from commuters’ groups. Over the years, the railways have tried many steps to reduce trespassing and track deaths. These include placing metal boxes at platform ends, using lubrication on platform flooring, issuing fines, and deploying staff to escort trespassers out of stations.
In an earlier phase of the project, MRVC had identified 34 high-risk locations where people often crossed tracks by breaking walls or through slum pockets along railway lines. Under MUTP 3, MRVC started work on footbridges, road bridges, and boundary walls at these sites. The cost of the work was about INR 551 crore.