Encroachments, hawkers, and poor crowd management have turned Ghatkopar railway station into a dangerous bottleneck. Just weeks after being cleared for a VIP visit, the station is again choked with vendors, blocked exits, and slippery platforms. Commuters warn it could trigger a tragedy worse than Elphinstone.
(From Left) Vegetable vendors block the ramp for the disabled at Ghatkopar station; commuters struggle through a blocked pathway on platform, and hawkers occupy space on the platform at the station. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar
Hawkers clogging footbridges and ramps, vendors spilling onto platforms, goods piled at exits, and virtually no crowd control — Ghatkopar railway station has become a ticking time bomb for commuters. Once briefly cleared for a VIP visit just two weeks ago, the station has now descended into a dangerous free-for-all, with blocked access points and crush-prone conditions that regulars say could trigger the next big tragedy.
Just two weeks ago, the station had been cleared and sanitised for a visit by the Railway Board chairman and CEO. Meetings between senior railway officials and Metro authorities had discussed solutions to decongest the station. Now, local staff appear to have abandoned crowd control altogether, creating what commuters are calling a “perfect recipe for a disaster.”
A bicycle parked on the platform adds to commuter inconvenience. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar
With the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) conducting heavy piling work for a station upgrade, monsoon rains soaking the temporary roof, poor lighting, and metro connectivity adding to rush-hour surges, Ghatkopar has become a daily battlefield for passengers. Train delays and AC local arrivals only worsen the crowd crush.
On Thursday, mid-day spotted hawkers on the main bridge near the Metro exit, vendors blocking entry/exit gates, ramps for the disabled obstructed, and other encroachments across the station.
“Security at railway stations is pathetic. It’s hard to find officials on the platforms or bridges. Illegal hawkers and beggars are everywhere,” said commuter Ajit Vadnerkar.
Another commuter, Devesh Tiwari, was more blunt: “The situation is alarming. Reduce fast train halts at Ghatkopar in the morning peak, so Metro and MMRDA feel the pressure. This is going to be 10 times worse than the Elphinstone tragedy. Are you sleeping or what?”
Following a social media complaint, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) reported nabbing six unauthorised hawkers — including four women — and booking them under Section 144 of the Railway Act. “We remain committed to taking strong action against unauthorised hawkers and vendors operating in railway areas,” the RPF said in a statement.
But commuters question why they need to alert authorities at such a sensitive location in the first place. “A proper crowd-control plan should be in place instead of staff just roaming with whistles,” one passenger remarked.
Central Railway’s chief public relations officer, Dr Swapnil Nila, said an integrated plan is being worked out: “We are coordinating with all agencies to finish work at Ghatkopar quickly. Regular drives against hawkers will continue. CCTV cameras with face recognition will soon be installed to detect repeat offenders and alert officials instantly.”
Short-term solutions suggested by commuters and experts
. Remove barricades, unused materials, and temporary obstructions on Platform 1 to free up space.
. Increase illumination, especially in rain-prone and slippery areas.
. Monitor and clear the 12-metre foot overbridge of hawkers; move the RPF post inside the station for active surveillance.
. Secure platform borders to prevent unauthorised entry from city areas.
. Counsel security staff on the seriousness of crowding risks.
Temporarily relocate stalls and canteens on Platforms 2-3 until MRVC works are completed.
Long-term measures
These were discussed in an August 1 meeting between Metro and Central Railway officials, as reported earlier by mid-day, and include coordinated strategies for seven-step rush-hour relief.
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