Mumbai: 17 stations to get mega decks above platforms

Mumbairsquos local railway stations are getting a muchneeded upgrade to handle surging commuter traffic With horizontal expansion impossible due to space constraints authorities are looking skywardmdashbuilding elevated decks over platforms at 17 key stations These decks will create additional space for passenger movement amenities and commercial stalls while easing congestion at the platform level The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation MRVC is spearheading this transformation under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project MUTP3A with completion targeted between 2025 and 2027Kandivli and VasaiMumbai suburban stations are over 7080 years old and require expansion to accommodate the increasing number of passengers Since horizontal expansion is not feasible due to a lack of space the only option is vertical expansion by constructing decklevel spaces above platformsGTB NagarThese decks will be interconnected with all foot overbridges creating a vertical grid that ensures the free flow of passengers at the deck level while providing muchneeded relief at the platform level To enhance passenger movement additional space will be created at the deck level wherever feasible allowing platformlevel stalls businesses and amenities to be relocated upstairsNallasopara and NeralAs part of the station improvement project a feasibility study was conducted by Knight Frank India in 2022 on behalf of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation MRVC to assess the commercial potential of decklevel spaces at 17 selected stations an MRVC official said MankhurdThe additional deck spaces created by MRVC through station improvements can be utilised by the zonal railway for various purposes including relocating existing commercial stalls offices and amenities from platform areas This will free up space for commuters and allow for commercial use where feasible he addedGovandi and BhayandarMRVC Chairman and Managing Director Vilas Sopan Wadekar said Rising passenger volumes have made expansion essential Under MUTP3A a decklevel grid is being developed as a vertical solution to improve passenger convenience By interconnecting these decks with FOBs escalators and elevators we aim to ensure smoother movement reduce platform congestion and enhance accessibilityMira RoadStationwise upgradesDombivli 210mlong 15mwide elevated deck with new north and south FOBsGhatkopar Phase 1 deck on the east side is complete work on the west side and CSMTend is in progressBhandup 228mlong 8mwide deck with north and south FOBsKasara Mega skywalk linking existing bridges 17mlong deck under constructionMulund 145mlong 925mwide deck with new FOBs at the south middle and north endsKasaraNeral Three decks an FOB and an extension at CSMTend to make the station touristfriendlyChembur Deck connectors between existing FOBs a new 6mwide middle bridge under constructionMankhurd 235mlong 96mwide deck adjacent to platform 1 plus two new FOBsGovandi Elevated decks above platforms 1 and 2 walkway and elevatorsGTB Nagar Doubledischarge platform under developmentChemburKandivli 263mlong deck connecting south and north FOBs a 4mwide skywalk operationalMira Road 1585mlong 107mwide deck with new north and middle FOBsBhayandar 259mlong 22mwide deck under constructionSantacruz 80mlong 12mwide middle FOB being builtDombivliVasai Road 160mlong 11mwide deck 6mwide FOB at ChurchgateendNallasopara Elevated decks at the south and north ends of platform 1Khar Station fully upgraded with a new deck FOBs elevators and escalators final faccedilade work in progressProject timelinesCompletion in 2025 Khar except faccedilade Mira Road Kandivli Kasara NeralGhatkoparPhase 1 nearly complete Phase 2 in progress Remaining 12 stationsPhased completion by March 2027GhatkoparCommuter reactionsRavindra Krishna KharldquoA great idea but platform stalls must be shifted not duplicated The goal is to decongest platforms not add more structuresrdquoDivya Kamath GhatkoparldquoThe elevated space should have connected to the Metro earlier The existing FOB is overcrowded with Metro passengers spilling onto itrdquoBhandupIsmail Shaikh MankhurdldquoMankhurdrsquos expansion is overdue With Metro Line 2B opening this year the crowd will only grow A direct link between the railway and Metro stations is neededrdquo