25 April,2024 11:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Ainie Rizvi
Narendra Patil at Dadar railway station. Pic/Ainie Rizvi
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At the southern railway bridge connecting Dadar West to East, Narendra Patil stands at the crossway serving a higher purpose.
While pointing to the west side, he announces: "For Andheri, head to the second station - ticket price Rs 10. Fast mein jana hai, toh teen number platform."
Interrupting his speech, a middle-aged woman screams hastily: "Grant Road?" Pat comes the reply: "Mataji, keep to your left and reach platform number 2 for the Churchgate slow train."
What prompted Patil to serve as a human signpost?
Before the current layout of parallel foot overbridges, Dadar station had a single straight bridge connecting its platforms. "Back then, all the indicators used to work," Patil informs this writer while pointing at the southernmost bridge of Dadar station.
Post the demolition of the bridge by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) - a new bridge was constructed in 2022. While this served as a respite for crowd management at Mumbai's busiest railway station - the absence of train indicators has led to confusion and chaos amongst new passengers.
"This new bridge is confusing for people, many of them fail to locate the station and run around in circles. Ladies come running, seeking trains for Malad, Virar, Goregaon and Ghatkopar with puzzled faces. It is very frustrating to watch these people struggle."
Upon noticing the widespread confusion due to missing indicators - he complained to the station master "Indicator toh lagao!" The station master conveniently brushed him off by saying: "lagata hu!"
Patil knocked on the authorities' door for eight consecutive days. Despite repeated requests - there was no effort from the railways to install an indicator. "I approached Sawant sahab at platform number 2 and requested him to look into the matter. He shrugged and said: hamare hath mein kuch nahi hai, go speak to municipality or use a bigger jack!"
They suggested he consult local ministers, but Patil, being just an average Joe, decided he'd rather not take on on the epic quest of persuading bureaucrats.
Frustrated, he took matters into his own hands. "The railway master kept on stalling me, eight days went by and there was not even a single signage. I decided not to wait further."
The next morning, the cement firm worker reincarnated as a train indicator to end commuter woes.
Rail doot or Railway messenger
Patil has carved out a window for himself from 9.30 to 11:30 (rush hours) when he dictates his ultimate act of rebellion: Before he rides off to work, he guides helpless commuters on platforms and trains.
In an interview with this newspaper, he tells Rajendra Aklekar: "I initially tried to help them while on my way to the office. Then a couple of years ago, before the lockdown, I started waiting outside the station on the western side before heading to work and spent some time guiding people." It has been 26 months since there has been no indicator at the Dadar railway station.
This was just before the renumbering of platforms at Dadar station which was not accompanied by appropriate signage and indicators. Therefore, people ended up on the wrong stations due to lack of signposts, informs Patil.
"Public sochta hai k main idhar jau ya udhar jau?" He remarks that everyday commuters are well-versed with the routes, however, new passengers are lost without the sign boards.
Mumbai's Dadar Railway Station has always been a dramatic spot for local trains. Numerous episodes of overcrowding, congestion and train accidents have earned it a notorious reputation. Catering to almost 8-10 lakh commuters daily - this station is one the most important and busy junctions where the Western and Central lines of the railway meet. It also is a Terminus and stop for out-station trains.
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An act of impact
Patil had been serving at his spot for the past 15 months when the authorities acknowledged his efforts. What followed was one signboard that went up on December 6, 2023, marking Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth date. The boards read âplatforms 2 and 3' with an arrow pointing towards the respective platforms.
"Another board has come up indicating platforms for Churchgate and Virar," Patil said with a sheepish smile.
However, these efforts are still not satisfactory for him and the general public as the font is small and the boards are placed hastily which misses the eyes of travellers.
"Laga do na patra..for each platform.. why work half-heartedly? Their promises have failed us and now it has been 26 months with no solution in sight," exclaims Patil.
Dadar's Good Samaritan
"Namaskar..." - Patil greets a middle-aged man in white. An everyday face at Dadar station, people pay him in smiles and greetings for his selfless act.
Before the lady clad in a formal suit could open her mouth, he gauged her baffled look and asked: "Kahan jana hai madam?" and later guided her to the desired platform.
While guiding lost commuters, he exudes a positive light and has an inviting appeal. Not only is his smile wide, his vision is swift to identify the needy passengers. "Madam I don't do this to get paid - for that, I have a job," the Worli resident tells me.
As the clock strikes 11.30 am, he hops on to Thane slow local and heads to Mulund where he works to sell cement. "I can do this only in the morning as I have to reach work by Midday. When I will get free - only the lord knows?" he jokes modestly.
Man on mission
Despite working till late in the night, Patil has a single-track mind to get back to Dadar station every morning and impart his duties (like clockwork). A daily commuter of Mumbai local, he is well-versed with the routes. "Doing this gives me immense satisfaction," he remarks.
Despite him giving free service - the railway authority has not taken cognizance of the missing indicator. The inconvenience remains ignored and people continue to rely on his directions to reach their destination.
In our brief interaction, at least a dozen people greeted him, and another dozen followed his directions with obedience. Serving as a commuter's guardian, Patil is an angel of a higher order.
How long will he go on? "I will stop when the indicator goes up," says the man on a mission.
