Jogeshwari overbridge: Western Railways, BMC tussle inconveniences lakhs of commuters

Lack of coordination between Railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is inconveniencing lakhs of commuters, who daily climb a 27 foot tall foot overbridge in Jogeshwari. Despite an escalator been proposed by Western Railways (WR), the delay by the municipal corporation in handing over a piece of land has left the project in lurch.

Mansoor Darvesh, an RTI activist, said that railway has agreed to set up an escalator in Jogeshwari as the height of the FOB is around 27 feet and there was an urgent need for an escalator specially for the senior citizens and those with disabilities. Darvesh has been following the matter with both the agencies since 2014.

Darvesh, who also met civic officials to follow-up, got to know that the railways did not follow the matter with the BMC. “Senior civic officials said that they can sort out the issue but they (railways) should come to us,”said Darvesh.

Prashant Gaikwad, assistant commissioner of K-west ward said the escalator will certainly provide relief to commuters, but it will also obstruct pedestrian movement on the footpath.

However, he added that the issue can be solved after a joint inspection by the two agencies. “The civic body will ensure that the proposed work does not create any disturbance to the pedestrian,” added Gaikwad.

By Amit Srivastava, DNA