Mission Zero Death: WR to provide better amenities and facilities to commuters

For the convenience of commuters, the Western Railways (WR) have decided to install escalators at 14 railway stations in Mumbai in the coming year.

At present, there are 74 escalators in Mumbai division, including 69 at the suburban stations and terminus of the Western Railway. Now, the railway administration has planned to install 23 more -- one at Marine Lines, three at Mumbai Central Terminus, one at Mahalakshmi Station, three at Bandra Station, three at Bandra Terminus, one at Santacruz Station, two at Jogeshwari, one each at Goregaon, Malad, and Borivali, two each at Naigaon Station, two at Boisar Station.

WR officials said that two new escalators at Virar and Kandivali stations of Mumbai Suburban section have been installed on December 14.

Elevators will also be added

At present, 25 elevators are available for passengers at Western Railway suburban stations. Now, eight more elevators will be installed at Dadar, Goregaon, Kandivali, Borivali and Mira Road stations.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the new escalators have been provided at Platform No. 3/4 at Virar station and another escalator has been provided at Platform No. 2/3 of Kandivali station. These have been constructed at an approx. cost of INR 1 crore each. These escalators have a capacity of 900 passengers per hour each & have been provided specially to look after the comfort of the elderly, pregnant women and children. Moreover, it will prove beneficial to the passengers and will provide a safer, more convenient way to travel and help in faster dispersal of passengers.

Construct Pedestrian bridges

In efforts to achieve WR’s “MISSION ZERO DEATH” on track, 20 pedestrian bridges will be constructed at 16 stations. Of these, construction of eight pedestrian bridges will be completed by March 2022, said officials.

There are currently 114 pedestrian bridges on the Western Railway.

Passengers often cross railway tracks to get from one platform to another to avoid the stairs. Many have lost their lives risking crossing the rails instead of walking on the pedestrian bridge during rush hour. In addition, it was decided to build slope way on the platform for senior citizens, disabled and pregnant women.