NDMC's new low: Subways with missing lights,no ramps,stairs

The next time you plan to take the Kasturba Gandhi (KG) Marg subway, be extra careful about your safety. A lot of things are missing from the subway — most shockingly, staircases!

The next time you plan to take the Kasturba Gandhi (KG) Marg subway, be extra careful about your safety. A lot of things are missing from the subway — most shockingly, staircases! A number of lights inside the subway have also been stolen.

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The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has just about managed to partially complete work on the existing five subways thrown open for the public, including KG Marg, BKS Marg and Janpath, among others.

However, with staircases missing in them, many people, especially women, kids and the elderly are finding it difficult to use them. Unlike the old subways in the Outer Circle, the new ones have ramps at entry/exit points and the material used for ramps is quite slippery, making it hazardous.

"It is nearly impossible for people to walk on them without tripping," said Seema Mehta, a resident of Munirka.

"Both the steps and the ramp have to be provided. Even the ramp can prove to be dangerous in certain situations. One can't have a subway without steps," said RC Kehar, a safety expert.

The civic agency claims that subway floors have been constructed using sand-blasted material to ensure people do not fall. "The KG Marg subway has a ramp for pedestrians which is sand-blasted. People should not face any problem," said Anand Tiwari, spokesperson, NDMC.

Meanwhile, the new subways have caught the eyes of thieves, who have begun stealing lights installed in them. The civic agency accepted that such a problem existed. "A few incidents have happened; we are replacing the lights," added Tiwari.