It is a request that has eyebrows going up in surprise. A report in this paper said that as it constructed a foot overbridge (FOB) at Mahim station, the railways moved to the next leg of the project which was to install a roof. Locals though told authorities that they were ready to brave the rain and scorching heat. Yet, they did not want a roof over the bridge. This is because the closed space, where visibility is cut, will draw in hawkers, also drug addicts and peddlers and anti-social elements.

The authorities have acceded to this request as of now, and responding to the concern showed that even they feel there is merit in these worries. It is a pointer to how the nooks and crannies, structures with covers or lesser visibility become a haven for anti-social elements of all kinds. Vagrants, thieves abound here, and illegal activity is rife, away from public eyes. While no method is foolproof or can stop crime completely, we need some measures that, if not prevent, diminish this or help in detection.