Mumbai: To make the stations of upcoming metro lines more accessible, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to widen footpaths within 500m of these stations. In addition to this, the internal roads which connect to the metro stations will also get footpaths. This is being done to ensure last-mile connectivity. Dedicated auto- and bus- lanes have also been suggested in the plan.
A MMRDA official said, “The stations of metro 7 (Andheri east to Dahisar east) and metro 2A (Dahisar to D.N. Nagar) fall on western express highway (WEH) and Link Road. Thus, when passengers step out of the stations, the footpaths will help them move out quickly. Thus, traffic will not be affected along both routes. The existing footpaths will be widened, and it will be built on roads falling within a radius of 1.5km from the metro stations. Thus, there will be no chaos below the stations.”
The authority has appointed consultants, D’appolonia and Urban Mass Transit Company Limited to study this multi-modal integration plan for all new metro projects. The firms have started the study last month. The underbelly of the new stations will be beautified with murals, confirmed officials.
