August 11, 2025: A joint initiative between Mumbai Metro Blue Line 1 and Central Railway is set to bring much-needed relief to overcrowding at Ghatkopar station, particularly on the central foot overbridge (FOB) during peak hours. The plan includes the construction of parallel elevated decks, the provision of instant disruption alerts, the creation of holding areas, and measures to redirect passenger flow.
During a recent visit, Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar told mid-day that work was “progressing expeditiously”, with one of the three planned concourses already complete and the other two under construction. He noted that, due to operational constraints, the majority of the work is being carried out during night shifts.
The overcrowding issue is most acute between 8.30 am and 10.30 am, especially when Metro services are disrupted for more than ten minutes. In the past, several measures have been taken to ease congestion, including demolishing staff rooms, relocating shops, adding more fare gates, expanding security checkpoints, resizing offices, and improving passenger information through display boards and announcements.
As part of the newly agreed seven-point action plan, Metro officials will send immediate alerts to Central Railway during service disruptions, and efforts will be made to hold commuters within Metro premises when necessary. Passengers will be encouraged to use all staircases rather than concentrating on escalators, and the creation of mezzanine-level holding areas will be explored. Railway staff will direct passengers to the CSMT-end FOB during peak hours and discourage Metro exit passengers from using the central FOB at those times. The elevated deck linking the Kalyan-end FOB to the Metro station will be fast-tracked, with work on the east side complete and the west side to follow. Authorities will also explore the construction of a new skywalk connecting Ghatkopar Railway Station with the Versova-end of the Metro, as well as consider building a road-level deck next to the railway’s new deck near the Metro station, in coordination with the BMC and MMRDA.
Under Phase II of the Station Improvement Project, which is targeted for completion by December 2026, the station will gain two new 12-metre-wide FOBs at the north and south ends, an elevated deck with service buildings, four additional lifts, and twelve more escalators. The plans also include facade upgrades, the installation of giant fans, the introduction of advanced passenger indicators, and the implementation of high-tech CCTV surveillance. Around 30 per cent of the physical work has already been completed.
Source: Mid-day
