Two pedestrian subways - Dr Rajendra Prasad Subway at Vile Parle and Agripada Subway, near Vakola - are a picture of filth due to lack of maintenance.
“Initially when the subway was inaugurated, authorities ensured that it would remain cleaned. However, there is hardly any maintenance being carried out as a result of which the subway stinks because it is full of litter and unclean water,” said Mahendra Lohima, a resident of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Nagar.
The Dr. Rajendra Prasad Subway was opened to the public in 2002. Residents had resorted to road blockages to get the project sanctioned after a spate of accidents on this stretch. The authorities have allowed an eatery and the hair salon to opened shop in the subway.
Due to improper maintenance, garbage and polythene bags are strewn on the subway. Pan stains decorate the walls of the subway and water from shops flows freely in the subway.
“A watchman keeps guard irregularly. Electric supply is also erratic due to which women are scared to enter the subway during evening hours,” said Lohima.
Residents of Dr Rajendra Nagar, Subash Nagar and Shriram Nagar use the subway. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) passes of its culpability on the BMC. “Cleaning the subway is the responsibility of the BMC,” said Dilip Kawathkar, MMRDA’s Joint Project Director (Public Relations).
However, an official from the Maintenance Department of the ‘H’ East Ward said, “The MMRDA has not officially handed over the subways to the BMC. As a result, no one wants to touch them. However, councillors as well as residents come up to us with complaints, following which we carried out cleaning on humanitarian grounds. Even electricity dues to the tune of three lakh have not been cleared by the MMRDA. As a result of this, the lights do not function at most subways.”