Mumbai: Closed FOB and unsafe access leave Reay Road commuters struggling for a safe passage

Reaching Reay Road station has become a challenging journey in itself with a closed foot overbridge FOB inadequate access facilities and a hazardous route forcing commuters to navigate uneven surfaces and cross railway tracksThe station which connects commuters to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT and other suburban destinations has two FOBs but one on the south side has remained closed since 2022 forcing passengers to walk a considerable distanceThe southend bridge that has been inaccessible to commutersHowever their ordeal doesnrsquot end even after reaching the other side of the platform On the east side the lack of a proper access route leaves commuters with what they describe as a ldquodangerous trekrdquoHazardous routeWith no proper staircase or designated pedestrian pathway at the eastside access point commuters say they have to climb what appears to be an old shed or platformlike structure made using stones and rocks They then have to descend from a narrow corner cross three railway tracks and walk along a stretch bordered by overgrown shrubs to reach the main roadThe old shed that commuters must cross to reach the stationThe absence of a safe clearly defined access route has raised concerns over passenger safety especially during peak hours when commuter movement increasesCongestion concernsPrathmesh Choche 30 another Harbour line commuter said the problem becomes extremely concerning during peak hours ldquoThe narrow exit and entry point could easily become a site of a stampederdquo he saidCommuters cross the railway tracksChoche also raised concerns about the safety of senior citizens and women using the route particularly at night ldquoThe route towards the station on the east side is often occupied by drug addicts encroachers and alcoholicsrdquo he statedHe added that the poor condition of the approach makes accessing the station particularly difficult for elderly passengers effectively limiting their ability to use the railway facility independentlyThe heart of the disputeCR saysWhen contacted by midday Swapnil Nila chief public relations officer Central Railway CR said ldquoAt Reay Road platforms are already connected by a FOB at the middle of the platformrdquoOn the provision of a proper approach for commuters Nila said ldquoThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC through the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation MRIDC had constructed a new road overbridge ROBrdquoAddressing concerns over access to the station he said ldquoThe stairs on the ROB intended for public use are to be provided by the BMCrdquoBMC saysResponding to CRrsquos statement a senior BMC official clarified that the Reay Road ROB was constructed by MRIDC and during the construction it was mutually agreed that the FOB connecting the ROB to Reay Road station would be built on a 5050 costsharing basis between the BMC and CRldquoAccordingly in May 2026 BMC made efforts to deposit an amount of Rs 1087 crore to CR towards BMCrsquos share of the cost However the latter declined to accept the said amount CR is not agreeing to share the 50 per cent cost of the entire FOB as it wants the civic body to cover the entire amountrdquo a civic official saidThe BMC further clarified that a footpath along the eastern side of the station had not been provided because the area was originally occupied by hutmentsOn concerns over inadequate lighting the civic body said the office concerned would be informedHowever the BMC maintained that the construction of the FOB its connectivity to the railway station and the associated railway infrastructure would need to be resolved by CR in coordination with the authorities concernedWith CR and the BMC yet to resolve their differences over the FOB commuters continue to await safe and accessible entry and exit facilities at Reay Road station The lack of a proper approach remains a concern particularly for senior citizens women and passengers travelling during peak hoursCommuterSpeakJaved Shaikh who travels by local train to CSMT for worklsquoWe have been writing to the authorities for quite some time The southend bridge was closed in 2022 for maintenance work and since then we have been waiting for it to reopen We have almost lost hope of the bridge reopening but the dangerous route at the eastside entry and exit remains a major concern and we expect the authorities to make it safe and accessiblersquoAinullah Khan 63 who lives on the east side of Reay Road stationlsquoGetting to the station is nothing short of a painful journey I have to walk over stones and pebbles and then climb uneven stairs At my age I expect at least a proper walkway to the station The closure of the FOB had added to commutersrsquo difficulties forcing them to walk towards the northern end of the platform to access the available bridgersquo