Those avoiding the underground subways at Churchgate railway station and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) because of the number of steps one must climb can expect some relief. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sought budget sanction to install escalators in the subways.
The BMC has been refurbishing the heritage precinct and the civic standing committee recently approved a proposal to spruce up M.G. Road in Fort as a ‘heritage mile’. The civic body has also been refurbishing the underground subway leading up to CSMT with a glass exterior.
Jaywalking rampant
While working on the projects, the BMC noticed large-scale jaywalking at the junctions at CSMT and Churchgate during peak hours. Officials said the pedestrians, which include office-goers walking to and from Ballard Pier, Fort, Churchgate, Mantralaya and J Tata Road, avoid taking the subways because of the number of steps they need to climb.
Taking this into account, the Ward A office has written to the additional municipal commissioner in charge of the budget to make a provision for escalators in the annual budget. “The CSMT area has several hospitals. We realised that people, especially senior citizens and pregnant women, take the risk of jaywalking because it is difficult for them to climb steps. That is why we felt the need for escalators. We hope we get a budget provision for the work, after which we will take other approvals,” Kiran Dighavkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, A Ward, said.
Planned locations
The ward office is planning to install two pairs of escalators (up and down) at CSMT at the main entrance from the station and the exit towards Cannon Pav Bhaji. The subway exits towards the BMC headquarters do not have the requisite width.
At Churchgate station, the BMC plans to install seven escalators: one pair each towards Eros Cinema, GST Bhavan and the main entrance subway, and a single one at the exit towards Flora Fountain.
Once the budget provision is made, the BMC will have to appoint a consultant to design the escalators. The BMC budget will be presented in the first week of February.
