Subways should not be used for dumping garbage

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Santacruz East residents have flagged several problems with the Western Express Highway's underground pedestrian subway at Vakola signal, including flickering lights, broken tiles, and uncollected discarded waste items.

Locals have demanded proactive waste collection, saying garbage is cleared only after they make calls to the authorities. A local said that the subway is not used unless completely necessary. Subway maintenance will ensure more people use it and reduce the pedestrian traffic at the signal.

An official stated that lights are being fixed in the subway and clean-up workers have been instructed to clear out garbage in the subway more often.

We must see more frequency in the clean-ups. Some waste bins in the subway will help. The bins must be emptied and cleared regularly. Public infrastructure has waste bins. Unfortunately, these bins themselves are very dirty, with garbage overflowing, and they are not emptied for days on end.

Garbage is only one aspect. We must also see adequate lighting inside subways. This edit space has highlighted how our skywalks need to be bright and well-lit; it is even more important for our subways, as these are underground. Good lighting and CCTV surveillance make these clean, value additions to our city.

People need to demonstrate civic sense. Simply because the subways are underneath roads and out of immediate eye view, they cannot become convenient garbage bins. Commuters passing through should demonstrate a healthy respect for others and infrastructure rather than using the subway to dump rubbish. Take pride in every civic amenity.