Who would have thought that a stretch underneath the ground could also be a Foley artist's dream? The sound of chugging trains and their sharp sirens have hardly faded when we find ourselves inside this underground world. The annoying ring of wind-up toys, the hurried rustle of time-strapped commuters, the clamour of chattering shopkeepers and customers, all create a grand cacophony... like a an apt background score to the imagery of the bustling CSMT Subway. It is hard to picture the space quiet and empty, but that very well could be its future.

In March, the BMC issued a notice to the shopkeepers inside asking them to vacate the space as part of the civic body's move to clear up congestion on the stretch. The legal battle that ensued, and is on-going, has not only left owners in the lurch, but has also rendered the fate of their shops and that of 250 workers uncertain. But they say make hay when the sun shines for a reason, and we decided to do just that. Irrespective of what the future holds, here are our top four picks from the subway to make the most of.