Facelift for 18 WR stations

If the Western Railway’s plans fall in place, making your way out of an unfamiliar railway station in the city could be less challenging than it is now.

If the Western Railway’s plans fall in place, making your way out of an unfamiliar railway station in the city could be less challenging than it is now.

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WR is designing new signage to denote every station on suburban local lines.

This graphic-driven signage will mainly denote landmarks near every station, including their distance from the station, and approximate time needed to reach them. The hoardings will also have vivid characters signifying the history of the particular location.

To start with, WR has chosen Mahalaxmi station for the project.

The signage for this station consists of visuals of Mahalaxmi temple, Haji Ali dargah and the racecourse, with details of their history and significance for the city.

“The hoardings will be placed at the stations’ entrance and exit points,” said a senior WR official on condition of anonymity. Directions to these landmarks will be included wherever possible. “It’s just a concept, we’re trying to give it shape. It is part of the ‘Adarsh’ station project,” said WR chief PRO, S Gupta.

Announced in the Railway Budget, Adarsh stations will have better signage, as well as basic facilities such as drinking water, adequate toilets, catering facilities and waiting rooms.

Apart from such signage, Adarsh stations will also get upgraded lighting, and station name boards.

Regular platforms will be replaced with tiled ones, and granite seats and better roofs installed.

Of the 38 Adarsh stations planned for Maharashtra, 18 are on the city’s Western line, including Andheri, Bandra, Charni Road and Churchgate.