After the Bombay high court took cognisance of the dismal state of basic infrastructure at all suburban railway stations in 2008, both the Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) have been on fast forward mode to rectify the mistakes committed in the past. Documents presented by both the Railways at the joint meeting held in Dadar on September 25 states that the CR and WR have begun providing basic infrastructure by building foot overbridges (FOBs), fencing between the tracks, raising the height of the platforms and erecting the boundary wall along the railway tracks. The CR in its progress report has said that it has already commissioned 11 FOBs last year and work is in progress at eight stations, including Vidyavihar, CST and Kurla. While the CR has plans to build FOBs at Vangani, Nahur and Shahad, the BMC is also providing funds to the CR for the construction of FOBs at Chembur, Gowandi and Mankhurd, the tender of which will be finalised soon. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has also planned FOBs at Dadar, Kurla, Mulund, Thane, Dombivali and Wadala Road. The height of platforms have been raised at Masjid, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Byculla is over, while Vikroli, Thane, LTT have the work in progress. Meanwhile, the WR has in its report said that instructions to render all necessary assistance to commuters in case of injury have been issued to the RPF personnel posted at the Mumbai Central station. Earlier, the RPF personnel used to refuse to tend to injured commuters. Petitioner and RTI activist Samir Jhaveri has hailed this decision, however, he has said, “I want similar instructions to be issued to RPF at all stations. They should tend to injuries without considering the jurisdiction.” However, the WR has admitted that the repair work of a boundary wall has not yet started, despite the contract having been executed in August 21 with a budget of '97 lakh and notice issued to the contractor on June 7, 2012. However, the construction of another precast RCC boundary wall in the Jogeshwari-Virar sections is in progress. Additionally, in the last three years, the WR has been able to raise the height of 46 platforms by 84 cm and is in the process of raising another 32 platforms. “I am happy with the good results. I hope the railway officials continue doing such work on a priority basis,” said Mr Jhaveri. Since the matter is sub-judice, railway officials have refused to comment.
