Gap between platform and train dangerous for commuters

There are big gaps between platforms and trains on both the central and western railway lines (CR and WR), making it hard for commuters to board trains.

There are big gaps between platforms and trains on both the central and western railway lines (CR and WR), making it hard for commuters to board trains.

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The Churchgate station is a classic example of this. The gap there is more than a foot long. Lakhs of commuters travel to and from the headquarters of the western railway line.

Last year, WR gave Churchgate station a face-lift worth Rs10 crore. But it failed to increase the platform height. Mumbai Central, Dadar, Mahim, Grant road, and Bandra are other stations where commuters face this problem.

The central railway is no better. Sandhurst road, Guruteg Bahaddur Nagar, Masjid, Mankhurd and Ambernath stations all have low platforms, endangering commuters’ lives. “Daily, at least two or three passengers get injured while getting off and on local trains due to the gap between the platforms and trains. It particularly affects women and elderly passengers,” said a government railway police source at Churchgate.

The platform cover at many stations has not been extended. Commuters are hence forced to wait for their train in extreme weather conditions. The ongoing extension works at all Navi Mumbai stations on the Harbour and Trans-Harbour lines are behind schedule.

Central railway officials said that platform cover extension works were being completed on a highest priority basis, though the gap between trains and platforms could not be reduced due to technical reasons.