Mumbai Metro tweaks operations with a shorter loop between Andheri and Ghatkopar

In a firstofitskind experiment in its ten years of existence the Reliance Mumbai Metro Blue Line 1 saturated beyond capacity between Ghatkopar and Versova has now begun operating trains with a shorter turnaround between Andheri and Ghatkopar to increase frequency The experiment based on passenger feedback started on Thursday and is being closely monitoredMost of the crowd during rush hours is concentrated between Andheri and Ghatkopar railway stations So instead of running trains all the way to Versova the team is operating trains in a shorter loop between Andheri and GhatkoparA Mumbai Metro Blue Line 1 official confirmed the developmentGhatkopar station upgrade on track piling work to finish by MarchendWith debris cleared and barricades reduced theMumbai Railway Vikas CorporationMRVC on Thursday assured that piling work at Ghatkopar station will be completed by Marchend further minimising obstructions Last month midday highlighted how debris and barricades at Ghatkopar station placed for development work were leading to overcrowding and a stampedelike situation on the narrow edge of platform 1Debris has been completely cleared andbarricadeshave been minimised To provide better amenities and ensure passenger convenience phase II station improvement work is actively underwayrdquo an MRVC official saidProviding a timeline official said ldquoWork on elevated deck at platform 1 is in progress Foundation work for PW3 on platform 1 has already been completed and barricading was removed on February 15 Pile foundation for the elevated deck PW1 amp PW2 began on February 15 with 28 out of 45 pilings completed so far Additionally work on a 12mwide south footoverbridgestarted on February 25 with 26 out of 70 pilings completed The remaining piling work is expected to be finished by March 2025 with caps and pillars planned for completion by April 2025rdquoThe railways are upgrading Ghatkopar station following multiple midday reports on how it had become a disaster waiting to happen especially as it also caters to Mumbai Metro Line 1 A frontpage report on August 30 2019 titled lsquoNext Disaster Arriving on Platform No1rsquo highlighted how the station had turned into a death trap Following this former MP Manoj Kotak raised the issue with then Railway Minister Piyush Goyal At a public function on September 13 2019 Goyal directed railway officials to devise a detailed plan and upgrade the stationVoicesParesh Nagrani regular commuterldquoCrowding for the Metro at Ghatkopar station often gets out of hand On Thursday the crowd occupied the entire foot overbridge leaving no space for commuters The station needs better connectivity and an upgrade to the Metro linkrdquoRanjan Jaiswal commuterldquoGhatkopar station serves a massive crowd The railways must be careful with upgrades as even minor changes affect thousands If the project has started it must be completed on timerdquoHrishikesh Kadam Ghatkopar West residentldquoThe authorities must try to finish significant work before the monsoon and install a roof at the station Itrsquos unbearable to stand in the heat and this temporary phase needs to end fastrdquoRobert DrsquoSouza a resident of VikhrolildquoWork at Ghatkopar station has been going on for a long time and it is high time it is completed The station also needs an additional foot overbridge at the CSMT end to accommodate the increasing crowds The Metro is adding to the congestion further burdening Ghatkopar stationrdquoSubhash Gupta from Yatri Sangh MumbaildquoThe divisional railway manager recently visited all stations yet Ghatkopar station remains in a mess These are basic necessities and commuters should at least have a proper place to stand The railways must be cautious as such situations can lead to stampedes given the volume of crowds at the stationrdquoAnanya Shah Mulund residentldquoThe CSMT end of the station is where the ladiesrsquo compartment halts and itrsquos a struggle every evening as the crowd swells Authorities must deploy adequate police to manage the rushrdquo