The state of Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs has been shown to have alarming problems. Many of these subways are unsafe and unpleasant for regular commuters since they are dark, badly maintained, and have serious accessibility problems.
The Chunabhatti Subway in the eastern suburbs, constructed beneath the Eastern Express Highway more than 40 years ago, is plagued by persistent water leaks and drain flooding. Ashok Kalar, a local, brought attention to the daily hardship of walking through drain water, which frequently fills the tube. The tube is still in bad shape, with fractured walls and an unpleasant stench, even though the BMC put iron grills at the entrance to stop seepage.
One of the busiest subways in the eastern suburbs, the Ramabai Colony Subway (Ghatkopar), is beset by filth, damaged flooring, and paan-stained walls. Despite reports to the contrary, no security guards were present during the poll. Regular cleaning, CCTV cameras, and improved lighting are all desperately needed in the tube. Due to continuing Metro work, the Kurla Subway is closed, forcing people to cross a busy road.
Another subway line that runs between Kurla East and West is crowded with hawkers and frequently closed during the monsoon season because of floods. Beneath the railway lines, the Mankhurd Subway is in terrible condition and regularly floods during the monsoon season, rendering it impassable. Residents still encounter several difficulties despite the BMC’s construction of a pedestrian bridge nearby.
The Vanrai Subway (Goregaon), located next to the police station on the Western Express Highway in the western suburbs, is inaccessible to people with physical disabilities. It is unclean, and upgrades are required for the installation of CCTV cameras, better lighting, and wheelchair-accessible stairs. Although the Gundavali Subway (Andheri) is quite accessible and well-lit, locals advise installing CCTV cameras and hiring security personnel to guarantee safety at night. With adequate illumination, the Santacruz East Subway (New Agripada) is in comparatively decent shape.
However, it is less accessible because it does not have a ramp or platform for wheelchair users. For accessibility, the Shankarwadi Subway (Jogeshwari) desperately needs ramps and appropriate steps. In addition, the tube lacks adequate illumination and security, raising worries about drug users exploiting it as a haven. Broken tiles and dim illumination are among the problems of Bandra East Subway (Subhash Nagar). It also doesn’t have a ramp for wheelchair access, like many others.
Many pedestrians find the Ramnagar Subway (near the domestic airport) to be a difficult route because of its inadequate lighting and lack of accessible routes for people with disabilities. These results demonstrate how urgently Mumbai’s pedestrian subways need to be properly maintained, made more accessible, and secured. The safety and comfort of all riders depend on officials addressing the neglected state of many of these subways.
Source: Urban Acres
