The choke point seems to be this very staircase leading to the bridge that reeks of impending bodily harm for commuters, leading many to turn around and choose an equally dangerous solution — crossing the tracks to platform no 5 or getting out to Dadar East and taking a longer way to get to the foot overbridge
A woman crosses the tracks to save time getting to the Central Railway at Dadar. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar
Commuters, particularly alighting and boarding local trains at Dadar railway station, seem to risk it all in peak hours. As Mumbaikars make their way from Western line’s platform number 4 to the staircase that will allow them to switch to the Central Line, a precarious situation unfolds.
The choke point seems to be this very staircase leading to the bridge that reeks of impending bodily harm for commuters, leading many to turn around and choose an equally dangerous solution — crossing the tracks to platform no 5 or getting out to Dadar East and taking a longer way to get to the foot overbridge.
Ascending and descending commuters, especially those left standing on the Churchgate end, seem to be bearing the brunt.
“It’s impossible without being shoved on the staircase. Sometimes you can barely breathe,” said Rahul Gosawi, a daily commuter from Andheri to Mulund. “Crossing the tracks is risky, but that way I at least avoid shoving into a woman by mistake and there is no misunderstanding that I need to clarify in the first place.”
Gosawi’s mother, Anuja, too travels from Andheri to Diva. “Crossing tracks saves at least 10 to 12 minutes, which are vital, especially in the mornings as punching in on time is mandatory, or else we are either marked absent or we have to endure a half day pay cut.”
However, sometimes the choice is between getting groped or risking track crossing. “I have faced inappropriate touches in the crowd multiple times,” said 31-year-old Khushali Mehta, who travels to Dombivli daily from Borivli. “In such tight spaces, it’s difficult to tell whether it’s accidental or intentional, but the discomfort is real. I’d rather risk crossing the tracks than go through that.”
The practice of track-crossing is not just unsafe — it’s also illegal under the Indian Railways Act. Those caught can be fined or even jailed. Yet, many commuters claim that enforcement is sporadic. “I’ve seen RPF officers stop a few people, but most just cross quickly before anyone notices,” said another commuter, requesting anonymity.
In some cases the goal to cross tracks is not about self-preservation. Many who catch a fast train to Churchgate also cross the same tracks from platform no 5 side and get in the train on platform 4 so that they do not miss the train. “Every minute is precious when it comes to train travel. During peak hours due to the rush I have missed trains and gotten late for college several times,” says Riya Chadda, who travels from Bhandup to Churchgate.
The Western Railway (WR) officials did not respond to our queries with regards to any relief in sight, until the paper went to print.
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