RailEnquiry

With the first phase of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro expected to be completed by September, MMRDA has drawn up a comprehensive plan for traffic dispersal at stations, including providing parking facilities. For this, it took the help of an Italian consultant to prepare a simulation.MMRDA has discussed the nuances of the traffic dispersal plan and is working with agencies such as BMC, BEST, the traffic police and the RTO to implement it."The plan involves clearing encroachment, sprucing up footpaths, creating space at junctions, shifting bus stops, enforcing parking bans and so on. We are looking to execute most of the plan through an open bid and will invite tenders soon," said SVR Srinivas, additional metropolitan commissioner at MMRDAThe most significant aspect of the plan is to create small parking lots for two-wheelers and four-wheelers at most stations to encourage motorists to take the Metro. Although the entire corridor is constructed along a highly congested alignment consisting of narrow roads, MMRDA is hopeful of creating parking spaces at seven of the 12 stations on the 11.4-km corridor."At present, two-three structures are encroaching upon space around almost every station. These will need to be cleared. We had done a study and a simulation for this with the help of Italian company Systematica," Srinivas said. He, however, did not comment on the capacity of parking lots.According to Srinivas, MMRDA had conducted a survey that showed that only about 2 per cent of the Metro users will travel to stations using their two-wheelers or four-wheelers. However, the development authority expects that number to grow.The development authority has also defined an influence zone of 100-metre radius around every station where it would be necessary to prohibit hawking, parking and prevent encroachment. Likewise, MMRDA has identified spots along the entire alignment where footpaths will need to be constructed or restored."We want to clearly separate road traffic from pedestrian traffic along the Metro alignment. The plan calls for clear definition of two lanes each on either side of the road. At present, even that is haphazard," Srinivas said.The agency is also coordinating with BEST to shift bus stops that are located too close to Metro stations to a walkable distance. New bus stands will also have to be erected near stations that do not have bus stops in the vicinity, as BEST buses are likely to be important feeder services for Metro.