Double platforms to easy rush hour squeeze?

Railway passenger association suggests double discharge platforms at Malad, Kandivli, Bandra and Borivli

The squeeze that Mumbai's local train travellers experience six days a week has led to innovative brainstorming. Representatives of passenger associations, like the Mumbai railway Pravasi Sangh, have suggested the construction of double discharge platforms at busy stations like Kurla, Bandra, Malad, Borvli, Kandivli, Thane, Ambernath and Virar.
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Madhu Kotian, President ofu00a0 the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh said, "This is a demand that the railways must seriously look into immediately. There is no such thing as rush hour anymore. It's crowded 24/7. Single discharge platforms make it mandatory for passengers to get off and get on from the same entry/exit. During peak hours, it gets impossible to manage."

The construction of double discharge platforms has helped manage crowds at CST, Churchgate, Kurla (platform number 1) and Jogeshwari, Kotian said.

A Government Railway Police official who didn't wish to be named said he receives hundreds of complaints a day from the passengers bickering during rush hour, fighting pick pocketers or finding a toe-hold in compartments. "In fact, policemen stationed at platforms for passenger security end up solving their petty fights. It's routine for us now," said the GRP personnel.

The association claims that the move could also help reduce the number of accidents, most of which occur due to over crowded compartments and the frenzy to catch a train. Kotian is hoping to receive a reply from the Railways for the letter he sent way back in mid-2010.