Mumbai: Prabhadevi station revamp begins, but pedestrian crossing remains unclear

Elphinstone bridge is shut for vehicles, but pedestrians still use it to cross between east and west. Pic/Shadab khan

Prabhadevi station is set for a major revamp following the closure of the Elphinstone bridge, which runs across the station and divides it into east and west. However, the biggest concern for commuters remains a simple one - how will they cross once the old bridge is closed to pedestrians?

The long-delayed Central Railway (CR) foot overbridge (FOB), which mid-day has been highlighting, is finally nearing completion. However, officials have yet to clarify whether it will be open to the general public, allowing non-ticketed pedestrians to move east-west. Even as both CR and Western Railway (WR) upgrade facilities, the lack of pedestrian connectivity has emerged as the prime concern. Local commuters argue that closing the Elphinstone bridge without providing an alternative crossing will be unfair.

At Prabhadevi, WR has shifted focus to its booking operations at the Dadar end of the station, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of all bookings. Officials said they may open additional ticket windows at the north-end office if required. "The Dadar-end FOB already handles most of the footfall. Extra ATVMs could be installed there to ease queues depending on the rush," a WR official told mid-day.

But the problem extends beyond booking windows. The elevated booking office located along the Elphinstone bridge will also have to be dismantled with the bridge. Railway planners are now scouting for an alternate location, but space constraints near busy taxi and bus stands make it complicated. Officials said a temporary porta-cabin is likely, but its placement will need coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to ensure smooth pedestrian movement.