At Milan Subway... Lack of consensus over flyover design leads to this mess

The road over bridge, touted as a panacea for the area's traffic woes, will now be open only by October because of alleged disagreements between Western Railway, MMRDA
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THE authorities' tall claims of solving the problem of water logging at the crucial Milan Subway came unstuck again yesterday, causing much consternation to motorists, who were left battling the resultant traffic jams.


Waterlogging at the Milan Subway is a regular occurrence every monsoon,
and this year was no exception. Crossing the subway takes an hour
during peak hours, and travel time is increased on a rainy day

Construction of the 700-m, Rs 40-crore road over bridge (ROB) over the subway, which was supposed to have been complete in May this year, is still under way because of MMRDA and Western Railway's alleged lack of consensus over the design of the iron bridge that will pass over the railway lines.

Work on the flyover, which is supposed to solve the area's acute traffic problems, began in 2008.

"We were planning to open the flyover before the monsoon to avoid inconveniencing motorists but it took time to decide on the iron bridge.

Another major hurdle was the resettlement and rehabilitation of the Project-Affected People, but that has been solved now," said a senior official from the MMRDA.

On a dry day, it takes around an hour to cross the subway during rush hours but the delay in completing the flyover has pushed motorists' knee-deep into trouble literally during the rainy season.
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It is difficult to avoid the subway as it is the only direct route connecting Santacruz east and west. Yesterday's showers extended travel time in the area by at least 15-20 minutes.
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Once the flyover is open, however, the MMRDA claims travel time will be brought down to a mere four minutes.u00a0

The Other Side
MMRDA Joint Project Director Dilip Kawatkar, however, said, "It will not be right to say that the delay has been caused because of a lack of coordination with the railways as both agencies cooperate with each other.
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We have decided on the design of the bridge and work will begin soon. The rehabilitation issues have also been solved and the ROB will be thrown open to motorists by October."



Voices
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I called my friends to find out if they were planning to get to college. Most of them decided to stay home rather than brave the rains.
Chaitali Shinde (17), Arts student at Ramnarain Ruia College

I reached at the nick of time, huffing and puffing. It took me 45 minutes to reach the station, when normally it takes just about 20 minutes. Even the buses are running late.
Insha Padaniya, Chaitali's friend and classmate

I was stranded half way to work, due to the intermittent halts made by the train. The tracks were flooded. I arrive at office everyday at 12 pm. I don't think I can reach before 2 pm today.
Shweta Shinde (51), employee of Punjab Western Bank

I have called my colleagues. Most of them are stuck in traffic, at different locations.
Jagruti Monis (30), a group manager at the IMRB International Market consultancy firmu00a0

It will be a good break for office going folks and commuters from their hectic jobs. I'm sure everyone in Mumbai will be glad to get an unexpected reprieve.
Bhumika Koli, employee of a media firmu00a0

The local train left from Wadala at 11 am. It's been over two hours, and it has just reached Vashi. The train was stuck between GTB station and Kurla due to water logging. I could not reach office in time for a scheduled appointment.
Balasaheb Malvi, employee at a private company, Nariman Point

The train schedules were disrupted just after a day of downpour. I shudder to think what will happen if it rains for a whole week. The railway system will collapse.
Prashant Yadav, private tutor, Nerul

The railway authorities had assured us that they were taking measures to ensure that the local trains ran smoothly this monsoon. But it seems they have failed miserably to live up to their promises.
Abdul Latif, clerk at Piramal College

I had work in Versova. I had to wait for 45 minutes for a BEST bus. All the buses were packed. How is the common man to commute in this heavy rain?
Jayashree Umak, resident of Bhayandar

I was stuck between Santacruz and Vile Parle stations in the train for about 15 minutes. I had to reach my classes at 9.30 am, but could not reach before 10. The signals between the stations need to be checked. I hope that the WR authorities do the needful, as the monsoons are here in full swing.
Saloni Vyas, resident of Santacruz
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I was stuck in a traffic jam at Juhu for half an hour. Traffic is exceptionally slow moving today. It is way past the reporting time at office.
Vikram Oberoi, a biker

I prefer walking, as there is no point wasting my hard-earned money sitting in a cab. The Jogeshwari area is always flooded during rains. In spite of many reminders sent to the BMC, roads here are in very bad shape. It is the common man who must face the brunt of BMC's negligence.
Saba Khan, railway commuter at Jogeshwari station
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I took about one-and-a-half hours to reach Lower Parel. The train was stuck at the Andheri railway station for almost half an hour. I usually reach my office by 10 am, but was late for work by almost two hours.
Vishal Rajesawant, railway commuter at Lower Parel station
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As told to Chetana Yerunkar, Eesha Patkar, and Saurav K