01 April,2011 11:04 AM IST | | Vedika Chaubey
It's not a bizarre request, just a warning, as the only ambulance outside Churchgate station has been relocated until after the World Cup final
Should someone trip and fall, or suffer a bigger catastrophe near Churchgate station tomorrow, the railways would not be able to come to their rescue.
An ambulance, which is always on standby outside the station in case of mishaps, has been removed from the premises, allegedly part of the air-tight security measures being enforced across the city.
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The railways apparently were not consulted before taking the decision, nor were they informed about it.
The elimination of the ambulance is momentous because figures dictate so. Nearly 33 lakh passengers use the Western Railway suburban line every day.
According to statistics obtained from the Government Railway Police (GRP), last year saw roughly one death every four days on the western line, and an injured every three (see box).
'We weren't told'
When MiD DAY contacted railway authorities, they seemed clueless, and aggravated, with the development. Sharat Chandrayan, Chief PRO, Western Railway, said, "We had no idea about the ambulance's removal from its parking place.
We weren't asked or informed. Now we are trying to contact the agency responsible for this, and hope to get it back to its place."
The ambulance, which has been procured from an NGO called Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), is for victims of train and road accidents.
It is parked on the outside the station's side entry toward Marine Drive, in front of the WIAA building, along with other railway vehicles. Reportedly, they have all been directed to Ballard Pier for parking.
To their credit, the railways do allow for alternative arrangements to rope in taxis when ambulances are not available.
The stationmasters are authorised to withdraw an amount of Rs 750 from the station's kitty for hiring taxis and ambulances during emergencies. Bit this has failed to impress experts on the issue.
'Bad call'
Activist Samir Javeri, president, Mumbai Suburban Passenger Association, said, "This is a bad decision by the authorities.
When there will be tens of thousands of people gathering to watch the match at Wankhede Stadium, ambulances are necessary. Instead of lining up extra, the one mandatory ambulance has also been removed from the station."
He added, "If VVIP vehicles can be parked in the vicinity, the life-saving vehicle should be given some space."
Copspeak
ZM Gharal, senior inspector of the Marine Lines police station under whose jurisdiction the Churchgate area falls, said he had no idea about the development either. "We don't know anything about the matter," he said.
According to a senior police official who did not wish to be named, ambulances have been removed for security purposes. "Parking of any kind of vehicles will not be allowed near Wankhede Stadium until April 2. We have been issued strict instructions from our seniors to follow the directive and be prepared for any kind of situation," he said.
Fatal numbers
Nearly 12 Mumbaikars die on Central and Western railway lines while commuting everyday, GRP figures reveal. According to statistics, Churchgate station witnessed 80 accidental deaths and 112 injuries last year.
Nearly 33 lakh passengers travel on the Western Railway suburban line, and 37 lakh on the Central line.
Ambulances
WR has 11 ambulances at its disposal stationed outside Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Lower Parel, Bandra, Goregaon, Kandivli and Mira Road stations. Emergency medical ambulances provided by private hospitals and NGOs are parked at Churchgate, Dadar, Borivli and Vasai stations.
