To avoid stampedes, CR to block access to overcrowded Mumbai station FOBs for short time spans

Railway stations where this will be done during the monsoon include Parel, Chinchpokli, Currey Road,Dadar, Masjid Bunder, Kurla and Ghatkopar.

To prevent stampede-like situations on foot overbridges (FOB) at Mumbai’s railway stations during the monsoon, the Central Railway (CR) has decided to block train commuters from using FOBs for short stretches of time if they get overcrowded.

The Army bridge at Currey Road railway station. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

The decision comes after overcrowding led to a stampede on the Elphinstone Road station FOB last monsoon, claiming 23 lives.

Both Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) personnel will hold up signs and placards requesting commuters to use another FOB and to “not spread rumours”. RPF officials will also manage crowd dispersal, officials said.

“We will block access [to FOBs] for crowd management, and it will removed immediately once the crowd disperses. Additional manpower will be provided wherever required,” said Sachin Bhalode, senior divisional security commissioner, CR.

The CR has identified railway stations where overcrowded FOBs will be closed for short periods of time; they include Parel, Chinchpokli, Currey Road,Dadar, Masjid Bunder, Kurla and Ghatkopar stations.

Also, at the south-side FOB in Parel, if RPF personnel notice a huge crowds heading towards Elphinstone and Parel, commuters will be asked to use the east side of Parel FOB.