Let’s make railway platforms clean and safe

Diva station, which is under consideration for double discharge platform, recently underwent a change in platform alignment for a fast train platform

Vidyavihar, Nahur and Diva stations are likely to get double discharge platforms, which allow commuters to board or alight a train from either side. A report in this paper said that, according to Central Railway, a plan to this effect is in the proposal stage. The move will decongest Ghatkopar and Kurla stations and will increase passenger intake.

Meanwhile, work on widening the existing rail overbridge (ROB) is ongoing at Nahur station. The station platform alignment at Diva has been changed recently to introduce a fast train platform. In addition, construction is on for an east-west ROB at the station, which was opened in 1877.

Some commuters stated that a double discharge platform is needed at Dadar station owing to crowding there, which has sometimes proven fatal.

While implementation is still a while away, we must stress safety on platforms.

Also Read: Finally, Vidyavihar bridge gets a push

There is a yellow line behind which commuters must walk. This is rarely adhered to, even when crowds are thin. Walk behind the line, which is there for a reason.
Pushing and shoving as commuters get out is dangerous. Let commuters alight first - that is the cardinal rule - and then board the train. There are enough warnings about boarding and alighting from moving trains. You may not be as nimble as you think and can easily slip onto the tracks.

Maintain cleanliness on platforms. For authorities, if work is done on the platform for any reason, clear the debris away quickly or put it to one side to be cleared later so that it does not obstruct passengers.

Platforms are not places for selfies, horsing around or racing through. There are people that can easily get knocked over. Platforms are part of the entire railway commuting ecosystem. Safety begins from here. Let us make our platforms spaces something we can be proud of.