The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to focus on building large pedestrian pathways across the entire length of two upcoming Metro corridors — Metro Line 2A and Metro Line 7 — as part of their Multi Modal Integration (MMI) plan. The plan seeks to improve last mile connectivity for commuters using different modes of transport and provide a safe pedestrian access to the stations.
MMRDA officials said that the area falling within a 500-metre radius of the station was earmarked for infrastructure development for the MMI. “Most of the stations are one kilometre apart and hence we more or less cover the entire stretch on both lines. Since the stations are so close to each other we expect most people to walk to the stations,” an MMRDA official said. The official added that a study they conducted revealed that nearly 50% of future Metro commuters would walk to stations and hence the focus of the plan was on ensuring smooth pedestrian flow.
‘Wide footpath’
“The footpath will be minimum 2.5 metres width along the entire length of the corridor. At sections where the footpath is more than 3 metres wide, we are planning to have benches and plant trees,” an official said.
MMRDA officials said they will be creating parking bays for buses at bus stops, rickshaws and private vehicles, which will serve as drop off and pick up points to ensure proper traffic movement.
They also said the plan would discourage private car usage and promote walking and cycling. Buses will be given priority and will have bus stops that are closest to the stations, followed by rickshaws and private vehicles and cabs. One of the four exits will also have cycle parking hub. Officials had gone to Hyderabad, where at select Metro stations, a similar plan had been executed.
The work of the project has been divided into two phases with 15 stations across both lines between Andheri to Malad in Phase 1 and 15 stations from Kandivali and Dahisar in Phase 2. Preliminary drawings for the stations have been made, MMRDA is in the process of floating tenders for the same.
