Bandra — heritage in bad shape

Built in the 19th century, Bandra has, by common consent, one of the better stations in the city today. Clean and easily accessible, the ...

int(2)

Built in the 19th century, Bandra has, by common consent, one of the better stations in the city today. Clean and easily accessible, the station is comparatively well-organised.

NEW TICKET BOOTHS OF NO USE:
About three months ago, the ticket booths shifted from the dark, ruined cavern of the front porch to a more impressive corridor of ticket counters to the right of the main station. The old area had five counters with only two or three functioning at any any given time, while the new area has nine. However, only six have been designated as ticket counters (the other three windows being boarded up), with only three or four functioning at a time.

This leads to long lines during rush hour in the afternoons. For the commuters who are forced out into the sun, the wait is uncomfortable. However, the shift has proved to be beneficial for the station, as it keeps the ticket crowd away from the station area. But, as one commuter rightly asked, “What are they going to do with that space?”

Story continues below this ad

Theticket counter on the Bandra (E) side of the foot overbridge is tiny and has only two windows. This leads to a tremendous glut of people on that section of the overbridge which is over crowded at all times anyway.

THE GAME OF NUMBERS:
The station has seven platforms and three coupon machines in the area of the old ticket counters. Platform 1 has 20 fans, while Platform 4 and 5 have 10 fans. All of them are in working order. Each platform has garbage bins at regular intervals, a large Western railway clock and functioning indicators. The speaker system is garbled at times though. In addition, there are two weighing machines and umpteen book and food stalls.

Platform 7, on which the Harbour Line trains arrive, has nine benches and all the usual amenities. However, it bears a shoddy look. Mainly because it overlooks a line of slums in Bandra (East).

TELEPHONES:
The front area of the station has six phones in various digress of rusted decay. Fortunately, they are all functional. Platform3 sports a phone which is a luxury not shared by Platform 5. It also has an unfinished fountain languishing at the spot where the ladies compartment arrives. The structure has been there for the last seven or eight months but work seems to have stalled. Authorities should decide whether it is to be completed or demolished. In its present state it is an eyesore.

Story continues below this ad

HERITAGE STATUS:
Bandra station has been designated as a Grade I heritage structure by legislation passed in 1995. However, it needs immediate care commensurate with its Grade I status. “The facade is marred by a large number of bills and posters stuck to its wall. Ficus growth is visible at places along the front porch,” reveals a status report of Grade I buildings by conservation architect Abha Narain Lambha. Seepage and careless repairs are other upkeep related problems. The recent extensions, covered with aluminium roofing do not blend with the original roofing.

Other problems include an unfinished skeletal foot overbridge which hasbeen stagnating there for almost a year. Also, there are a glut of hawkers lining the station area leading to congestion. Commuters have to jump over the large number of beggars on the foot overbridge. At night, it is common to see commercial sex workers hovering on the platforms.

The station master, M L Bhagurkar, said that he was forbidden to talk to the press when he was approached for questions and clarifications.

GRP Bandra: 6422047 RPF Bandra: 6421587 Bandra Station: 6421920/3453.