This is dangerous for commuters, said another. Officials quoted in a mid-day report have claimed that the problem will be fixed soon
Cracked up and loose tiles on the Ghatkopar railway foot overbridge. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar
Tiles laid just three months ago on the Ghatkopar railway foot overbridge (FOB) have cracked and come loose, posing a risk to thousands of commuters, especially during the monsoon season. The station, which sees a heavy footfall from local train and Metro passengers, has a bridge where the staircase tiles are now either broken or dangerously loose.
A commuter pointed to the patchy design and mediocre work. Another highlighted poor levelling that causes people to trip. The tiles on the stairs of platforms 2 and 3 towards the Metro were installed just two months ago but are already damaged. This is dangerous for commuters, said another. Officials quoted in a mid-day report have claimed that the problem will be fixed soon.
While assurances are one thing, it is important to recognise that the broken FOB is a microcosm of how new work, or even repairs, is done in this city.
First of all, problems have to be red-flagged, without which we see that they are ignored. It is only when the hue and cry reach some proportion that work is started. Sometimes, repairs are done only to assuage citizens. Quick, slipshod, patchwork one may use any phrase, but, at times, a cosmetic, hurried effort is made which smacks more of a cover-up than any real change. This is done so that things can get moving quickly, too many permissions are not be got and after long short cuts are better than going with the longer, more lasting route.
Unfortunately, this has become a familiar scenario and efforts now have to redouble on changing the trend. Shame not just those who have constructed a particular piece of infra but, shame the contractor who has repaired it in an indifferent and incomplete manner. Repairs must follow the CALM principle — Complete, Adequate, Long Lasting and Maintained.
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