Death on tracks has become a common phenomenon in Mumbai and the death of Gaurav Vora who succumbed to his injuries after being hit by a local train does not come as a surprise. Overhead bridges does not exist at many local stations or railway crossings and people are forced to cross tracks at times left with no choice. The 135-year-old Hancock bridge which connected Dongri and Mazgaon was demolished last month and commuters are forced to cross tracks between Byculla and Sandhurst Road station which resulted in the mishap. The authorities should have made alternative arrangements whenever old bridges are demolished but human life has no value in the city which is sad and a shame.
Mumbai local trains contribute a hefty sum to the Railways but sadly the safety and other basic facilities are missing for the commuters. Insufficient toilets, missing roofs over platforms, alarming gap between train foot boards and platforms which result in accidents, faulty signals are only a few of the concerns which make life hell for the commuters. It’s high time Railway Minister look into the woes of the commuters from Mumbai and make arrangements for safe travel of the people. Privatization of local trains could be another option for top class facilities as has been witnessed in the case of Mumbai metro which compares to the best in the world!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
