Mahim Foot-Over-Bridge Closure: Schoolchildren And Commuters Risk Lives Daily

As reported by Hindustan Times (HT), for the past three days, schoolchildren, some as young as eight, have been putting their lives at risk to get to class. The closure of the southern foot-over-bridge (FOB) at Mahim station due to urgent repair work has left hundreds of residents, including students and daily commuters, with no safe route to cross the railway tracks.

The bridge, a vital link for thousands of commuters at the intersection of the Western and Harbour lines, was shut down on April 15. Without an alternative, many have resorted to crossing the live railway tracks, a deadly risk that has already claimed numerous lives. In 2024 alone, 1,151 people lost their lives while crossing tracks in the city.

Photo Credit: PTI

On Thursday morning, the third day of the closure, students and residents were seen navigating a dangerous, narrow, makeshift path between Azad Nagar slum and Shahu Nagar. The path is so narrow that only one person can pass at a time, and during rush hours, it resembles a stampede. "I've had to personally escort my daughter to the station," said Mahendra Kendra, a local resident in the HT report. "I can't let her cross that unsafe path alone."

Parents from at least five schools in Mahim West have raised concerns about the danger this closure poses to their children. Though Western Railway (WR) had posted a notice about the closure, many commuters feel unprepared for the disruption. WR suggested using alternatives like the northern-end FOB and a municipal bridge, but these routes are further away and add considerable time to the journey. "It adds at least 30 minutes to our commute," said Shekhar Todankar, a parent in the same report.

As per HT report, in the absence of an official pedestrian route, some commuters have created their own illegal path across the tracks. "Contractor staff stationed near the tracks blow a whistle when a train approaches," said Vikas Kamble, a resident. "Someone even placed a cement sack to help people climb onto the platform."

WR initially planned the repairs for January but postponed them due to concerns about school timings. The repairs were eventually scheduled for April, causing frustration among residents. A WR spokesperson explained that the bridge had become unsafe due to structural issues, with the concrete slab damaged and internal reinforcements exposed.

This situation is not unique to Mahim. A similar scenario occurred in August 2024 when residents risked their lives to navigate the full closure of the Sion Road Overbridge. The new bridge in Sion won't be ready until 2026 due to multiple delays.

In Mahim, residents are left to navigate this dangerous path until May 4, or possibly longer. "We understand the bridge is in bad shape," said Kamble, "but there must be a safer way to fix it without putting our children's lives at risk."