Following seven years of relentless follow-ups by mid-day, the elevated deck on the Mumbai Metro end of Ghatkopar station is inching close to reality
Placing of girders across the tracks at the CSMT-end has been completed, and flooring work on the bridge is underway. Pic/Rajendra B Aklekar
After nearly seven years of sustained follow-ups by mid-day, the much-awaited wide elevated deck on the Mumbai Metro-end of Ghatkopar railway station is finally taking physical shape — a long-overdue intervention at one of the city’s fiercely crowded transport interchanges.
Ghatkopar railway station, where mega crowds from the Mumbai Metro Line 1 (Blue Line) converge with Central Railway suburban passengers, has for years seen infrastructure lagging dangerously behind. The new deck promises a dramatic improvement in circulation space, pedestrian dispersal, and safety at the Metro-end — the most congested choke point at the station.
Placing of girders across the tracks had been completed at the CSMT-end. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar
On a visit to the station on Wednesday, team mid-day found that the work of placing all girders across the tracks had been long completed, and the flooring work of the new wide bridge was underway at the CSMT-end. The new bridge is adjacent to the BMC skywalk abutting the Metro station.
At the Kalyan-end near Jhunjhunwala College, the girders have been placed outside. The gang hut has been demolished, and piling work has begun for the foundations.
08
No. of foundations completed, out of 15
2019
Year mid-day took up the issue
1800sq m
Approximate area of elevated deck (Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined)
Voices
Chaitanya Raut, student, Jhunjuhnwala College
‘Ghatkopar is not just crowded, it’s chaotic during peak hours. You barely get space to stop and check directions. With the deck, at least people can spread out instead of colliding head-on’
Monalkumar Upahdyaya, officer-goer
‘This should have been built before the Metro opened. But at least now something real is finally happening. The ongoing work is creating problems on the platforms with barricades, but thankfully, they are moving the barricades to limit restrictions’
Rishi Talreja, software executive at Saki Naka
‘Ghatkopar always felt like a station operating at double its designed capacity. Metro crowds would spill straight into railway passengers with no buffer in place’
Flooring work on the new wide bridge is underway
Why deck matters
Ghatkopar is not just another suburban station. It is a high-intensity interchange, where Metro passengers arrive as a huge mass, unlike the more evenly spread suburban flows. Without adequate horizontal circulation space, every train arrival on both systems turns into a dangerous crowd buildup.
Scope of work
Elevated Deck (Platform No. 1 side)
. Eight out of 15 foundations completed
. Four columns, five girders launched
12-metre-side south foot overbridge
. Main foundation completed
. Main girders over the three spans launched
12-metre-wide north foot overbridge
. Two out of four foundations completed
. Work on remaining foundations underway
mid-day follow-ups, action initiated
Timeline of reporting
August 30, 2019
Disaster in Waiting
The station’s upgrade was spurred by a 2019 mid-day front-page report, prompting action from former MP Manoj Kotak and then-railway minister Piyush Goyal. The first story that started it all.
June 23, 2022
Work Begins, but safety concerns raised
MRVC launched a seven-point upgrade plan with new FOBs, an elevated deck and a skywalk, but barricades narrowed platforms, triggering safety concerns during peak hours.
August 11, 2022
Platform space reclaimed
Barricades were later pushed back, freeing platform space and easing risks flagged by mid-day. MRVC said work amid heavy footfall remains challenging, with completion expected by 2025.
Dec 15, 2022
Crowd surge due to Metro disruption
A Metro service cancellation caused a stampede-like situation on the railway FOB, emphasising the need to fast-track the upgrade. Commuters called for better Metro-railway integration and more Metro coaches to manage crowds.
Dec 20, 2022
Construction expedited
After crowding concerns, MRVC fast-tracked a 75-metre-long, 12-metre-wide FOB and a 45-metre east deck, aiming to ease congestion by Dec 2023. The project aimed to mitigate crowding with interconnected bridges and decks.
March 10, 2023
Breathing space gained
A redundant staircase on Platform No. 1 was demolished, creating more space after mid-day’s 2019 report. The upgrade was progressing to address the high passenger density exacerbated by Metro connectivity.
April 21, 2023
Funding secured, work progresses
MUTP-3A funding enabled full-scale work, with Phase 1 on the east side targeted for completion by late 2023 and further phases already funded.
Dec 29, 2023
Phase 1 completed
Phase 1 was completed with a 12-metre-wide, 75-metre-long FOB, and a 15-metre-wide, 47-metre-long east deck, opened to the public. However, commuters noted the lack of direct Metro connectivity, a priority for Phase 2.
July 3, 2024
Metro-related crowding issues
Metro network delay caused a crowd surge on railway FOB, with railway officials blaming Metro’s management. Phase 2 work near the Metro station was set to resume post-monsoon, with calls for Metro to increase coach numbers.
July 5, 2024
Escalators opened
Two of six planned escalators in the east circulating area were inaugurated, providing access to new FOB. The full upgrade, including multiple bridges and decks, was expected to be completed by December 2026.
July 12, 2024
Slow progress questioned
MRVC plans two phases with new FOBs and decks, noting that a five-minute Metro delay can add nearly 2,000 commuters. Completion is targeted for 2027.
February 14, 2025
Debris and barricades cause risks
Phase 2 work left debris and barricades on Platform 1, raising safety concerns. MRVC said it is speeding up foundation work and debris clearance, with completion still targeted for 2027.
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