Mumbai Metro Opening To Get Pushed? Major Safety Concerns Detected On Line 7

The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) Western Circle, Mumbai, R.K Sharma in a letter to the MMRDA highlighted major deficiencies on the Mumbai Metro Line 7.

These are slated to have significant repercussions on the safety of the train. Speculations can therefore be made that public access to the Mumbai Metro Line 7 might be delayed.

Missing Public Security Items

The CMRS on February 19 and 20 inspected the Metro Line 7 stations and found that public security items including the likes of a baggage scanner were not offered at any of the metro stations.

Inadequate Evacuation Plans

In a major safety concern, the emergency evacuation path for passengers is obstructed. Moreover, the width of the walkway doesn’t adhere to the mandated requirements. On the other hand, at all the metro stations safety works of escalators pit sprinkler arrangement is pending. None of the metro stations are equipped with station evacuation plans nor do they have public signage work.

Connectivity Misgivings

The CMRS also believes that there may be limited utilization of the metro on the west side because the connectivity to east side passengers of the Western Express Highway has not been provided.

Marginalized Community Overlooked 

The tactile pathway for the visually impaired wasn’t undertaken at any of the stations. Moreover, necessary facilities in the Divyangjan toilets were also incomplete.

Safety Negligence 

In another prominent security lapse, the provision of CCTV cameras at the street level was pending at all the stations. Furthermore, in a certain room, the smoke and heat detectors were not functional. At the street level, space was not earmarked for fire tenders. The stations have also not been commissioned for accessing fire, police or hospital.

Infrastructural Lapses

Certain infrastructural nuances don’t comply with the requisite criteria. From electric fallacies, cracks on slabs to gaps and alignment mismatches as well as incomplete expansion joints were witnessed by the CMRS. Additionally, the finishing work has been deemed not up to the mark, with rusting being spotted. Inaccuracies were also seen on the electric front.

Station-Wise Oversights 

At the Poisar, Magathane and Rashtriya Udyan metro stations, at the street level, entry and exit levels have not been completed.

• Akurli station’s work of roofing on the staircase was pending. Over and above that, for emergency use, fire hydrant doors did not have arrangements.
• Kurar station’s civic, electric, lift works and ATVM are pending.
• Poisar station's telephones and smoke detectors were found to be not connected and working, respectively.
• At the Devipada station, a crane in the civil areas was seen to be working near the track.

A source said, “Some of the CMRS observations are quite serious in nature. The MMRDA needs to ensure that the project implementation agencies comply with deficiency as Mumbaikars can wait for Metro to start but can't afford an incident which may lead to a disaster.”

The MMRDA has now been asked to comply with these observations enabling a date of inspection to be given.

Also Read: Mumbai Metro: MMRDA Mulls Offering Renting Bicycles Facility Outside Upcoming Corridors