MMRDA installs steel benches at stations
The concept of street furniture for those using public transport in Mumbai is quite skewed, with only the narrow benches can be seen at the BEST bus stops. For the first time, steel benches have been installed at the entry and exit points of Metro 7 and Metro2A for passengers who will be waiting for auto rickshaws and BEST buses as part of the last mile connectivity. Usually, waiting for road transport is a task.
This comes at a time when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is finding out ways to integrate different modes of transports and provide last mile connectivity to the people. The MMRDA has installed two to three steel benches on the footpath at the entry and exit points of Metro railway stations on the 20-km Dhanukarwadi-Aarey stretch that is part of both Metro-2A (Dahisar-DN Nagar) and Metro-7 (Dahisar (E)-Andheri (E), which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on April 2.
According to MMRDA officials, these benches are installed for passengers who alight at metro stations and wait for auto rickshaws and buses. A single bench can accommodate three people at a time comfortably. “These benches will certainly benefit senior citizens, women and children. We have installed this street furniture outside Metro stations wherever possible,” said a MMRDA official.
Sources said that they have also redone the footpaths and replaced the paver blocks wherever it was necessary at the entry and exit points and escalators outside metro stations. The MMRDA and BEST Undertaking have already joined hands for the last mile connectivity. A new plan and design has been given to the BEST, wherein several bus stops have been shifted to a suitable distance of not more than 50-75 metres from the respective metro station.
Once the commuters exit the metro station, they can take a bus leading to intermodal integration of public transit. The auto rickshaw stands are also being planned in such a way that people can queue up and board right outside metro stations. Moreover, the BEST bus stops have come up near the seating arrangements.