Mumbai: New Kurla subway took just two weeks to look like a royal mess

Barely two weeks after the Kurla subway connecting the western and eastern sides of the suburb was first opened to the public infrastructure inside the underpass is already giving way From leaking roofs nonfunctional exhaust fans to zero maintenance the muchdelayed subway constructed at a cost of Rs 9 crore has become a sore point for pedestrians using itGarbage strewn in the subway walls defaced with paan stains and leaking roofs Pics Sayyed Sameer AbediThe BMC had first planned the pedestrian subway in 2002 However after years of bureaucratic rigmarole work on constructing the subway finally began in 2016 The subway which is 130mlong and 76mwide was opened to the public late last month and has since been the most preferred route for pedestrians especially railway commutersWhile garbage can be seen strewn along the subway the walls have been defaced with paan stainsHowever days after the inauguration water started seeping inside the subway on the western as well as the eastern entry and exit points making it difficult for pedestrians to venture inside Further while six chambers have been created to install exhaust fans for ventilation only two of them have fans and just one of them is in working conditionGarbage strewn in the subway walls defaced with paan stains and leaking roofs Pics Sayyed Sameer AbediIf that wasnt enough garbage is seen strewn along the subway and the walls defaced with paan stainsCitizens and activists said that the absence of guards or maintenance staff is one of the primary reasons for the poor condition inside the subwayLeakage in the roof near the eastern entry and exit points has caused water to seep inside the subway Pics Sayyed Sameer AbediJitendra Gupta a resident of Kurla and founder member of Citizen Transport Committee said There isnt a single dustbin inside the subway due to which people throw garbage in the openAlso ReadBMC Report Corrupt Civic Staff Made Kurla An Illegal Construction DenGarbage strewn in the subway walls defaced with paan stains and leaking roofs Pics Sayyed Sameer AbediHe added The water seepage is only adding to the problem Incidentally the leakage spots are near the base of the staircases on either side The problem is the result of inferior waterproofing and poor supervision And considering that the subway is only two weeks old these issues are very serious and cannot be ignoredAlso Read Mumbai Central Railway Plans To Build An Elevated Station Complex For Harbour Line TrainsThe subway which was the brainchild of former chief minister Manohar Joshi was originally meant to be a vehicular underpass However the project faced a lot of hurdles Eventually the BMC citing the massive footfall Kurla station witnesses each day decided to build a pedestrian subway hereGarbage strewn in the subway walls defaced with paan stains and leaking roofs Pics Sayyed Sameer AbediSpeaking to midday RTI activist Anil Galgali said The BMC should forfeit the deposit of the contractor responsible for the leakage Authorities should also install CCTV cameras at strategic locations inside the subway and appoint a security guard to monitor any mischiefGalgali also suggested strict action or penalty for citizens responsible for defacing the walls and throwing garbage inside When contacted SO Kori chief engineer of the bridge department of the BMC said We have not received complaint about leakage yet I will check and take immediate actionHe added For the maintenance of the subway we have written a letter to the local ward to appoint some agency as soon as possible