Mumbai: City's pedestrian subways are dark, flooded, and forgotten

Dark dingy and unsafemdashpedestrian subways across Mumbairsquos island city and suburbs are in dire need of attention Many lack proper lighting are plagued by hawkers and serve as hubs for illegal activities During monsoons they often become unusable due to waterlogging and leaks midday explored these subways to uncover their persistent issues Herersquos what we found starting with the suburbsEastern SuburbsChunabhatti SubwayChunabhatti subway suffers from chronic leakage and drain water flooding ldquoThere is always drain water overflowing into the subway We have to wade through it dailyrdquo said Ashok Kalar a local resident The subway built 40 years ago under the Eastern Express Highway also has cracked walls and a foul odour Recently the BMC installed iron grills at the entrance to minimise water seepage However proper maintenance remains lackingRamabai Colony Subway GhatkoparRamabai Colony subway is not clean and has broken flooring and walls stained with paan PICASHISH RAJEThis is one of the busiest subways in eastern suburbs located under the Eastern Express Highway It suffers from irregular cleaning broken flooring and walls stained with paan Though locals claim there is a security guard none were present during middayrsquos visit Dhanajay Singh a resident said ldquoSubway is always dusty and stinks Better lighting CCTV cameras and regular cleaning are badly neededrdquoKurla SubwaySubway inb Kurla is closed due to ongoing Metro construction forcing pedestrians to cross the busy road instead PICASHISH RAJEOne subway at Kurla near the signal is closed due to ongoing Metro construction forcing pedestrians to cross the busy road instead Another subway connecting Kurla East and West is overrun by hawkers and becomes inaccessible during monsoonsMankhurd SubwayMankhurd Subway is in a deplorable condition PICASHISH RAJELocated under the railway tracks this subway connects Maharashtra Nagar to the SionPanvel highway and is in a deplorable condition It floods during monsoons rendering it unusable despite a pedestrian bridge built nearby by the BMC ldquoFlooding during the monsoons is a major problem A proper footpath would helprdquo suggested Ashok Kalokhe a residentWestern SuburbsVanrai Subway GoregaonVanrai subway lacks accessibility for physically disabled and is not clean PICSNIMESH DAVEThis subway near Vanrai police station on the Western Express Highway is popular among residents However it lacks accessibility for physically disabled individuals While lights are installed there is a need for better tiling additional lighting CCTV cameras and ramps for wheelchair usersGundavali Subway AndheriThis subway at the level of the service road is among the more accessible options It is welllit but locals suggested adding CCTV cameras and deploying security guards for nighttime safetySantacruz East Subway New AgripadaSantacruz subway is in relatively good condition PICSNIMESH DAVEIn relatively good condition this subway is welllit but would benefit from a ramp or platform for wheelchair usersShankarwadi Subway JogeshwariShankarwadi subway urgently requires proper steps and ramps for accessibility PICSNIMESH DAVEThis subway urgently requires proper steps and ramps for accessibility A senior citizen using the subway said ldquoPedestrian needs are overlooked while all facilities are in place for vehicles This subway needs better lighting security guards and CCTV cameras especially at night as drug addicts sometimes take refuge hererdquoBandra East Subway Subhash NagarBandra East subway faces problems with broken tiles and poor lighting PICSNIMESH DAVEThis subway faces problems with broken tiles and poor lighting Like others it also needs a ramp to accommodate wheelchair usersRamnagar Subway Near domestic airportRamnagar subway lacks proper illumination also doesnrsquot have disability access PICSNIMESH DAVEThis subway lacks proper illumination and is not wheelchairfriendly