Title - Autos compound traffic congestion at Andheri station - Mumbai - DNA

Haphazardly parked auto rickshaws are causing massive traffic jams outside Andheri (W) railway station and commuters feel that it would be very difficult for fire-utility or emergency vehicles to reach the spot in case of a disaster.

“A number of rickshaws are parked on the road adjacent to platform number 6 which leads to a McDonalds outlet even though parking is not allowed. Even BEST buses find it difficult to stop there,” said Akhil Thakur, a resident of Andheri. He has also sent complaints to the traffic police in this regard.

“Buses which come from the depot also face the same problem as a number of rickshaws are parked at the main entrance of the station opposite McDonalds,” he added.

Ragini Kumar, a regular commuter, said that the situation is chaotic every morning and evening during peak hours. “It is impossible to walk outside the station because of the crowd. Hawkers add to problem.”

An official from the Andheri traffic police chowky said that they have been conducting regular drives. “We have towing vans which ensure that action is taken against illegally parked vehicles. We shall now step up our drive against auto rickshaws too,”said a senior official.