Ray Road station commuters cross tracks as one footbridge stays shut, BMC and Central Railway differ

Simply reaching Ray Road station has become a major ordeal for commuters. One foot overbridge (FOB) is closed, there is no proper way to get to the station, and those who take the dangerous route must walk over rough ground and also cross the railway tracks.

The station connects passengers to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other parts of the suburbs. It has two foot overbridges, but the southern one has been closed since 2022, forcing commuters to walk a long distance.

The trouble does not end once they reach the platforms. Commuters call the route on the east side a "dangerous trek" because there is no proper path.

At the eastern entrance there is no proper staircase and no designated route for pedestrians. According to commuters, they have to climb onto a structure resembling an old shed or platform made of stones and rocks. They then descend from a narrow corner, cross three railway tracks and walk through a strip hemmed in by overgrown bushes to reach the main road. The lack of a clear and safe route has raised concerns about commuters' safety, especially during peak hours.

Prathamesh Choche, 30, who travels on the Harbour line, said the problem is a serious worry at peak hours. "The narrow exit and entry point could easily become the site of a stampede," he said. He also voiced concern for the safety of senior citizens and women, especially at night, who use this route. "The eastern route to the station often has drug addicts, encroachers and drunkards," he said. He added that because of the poor state of the route, it is especially hard for elderly commuters to reach the station, and they cannot use the railway facility on their own.

Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer of Central Railway, said, "At Ray Road, the platforms are already connected by an FOB in the middle of the platforms." Asked about a proper route for commuters, he said, "The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (Mumbai municipal corporation) had built the new road overbridge (ROB) through the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC)." On access to the station, he said, "The staircases on the ROB for public use are to be provided by the municipal corporation."

Responding to Central Railway's statement, a senior municipal official clarified that the Ray Road ROB was built by MRIDC. While construction was under way, the municipal corporation and Central Railway had mutually agreed to build the FOB linking the ROB to Ray Road station by sharing the cost 50:50. "Accordingly, in May 2026 the corporation tried to deposit its share of Rs 10.87 crore with Central Railway. But Central Railway refused to accept the amount. Central Railway is not ready to share 50 per cent of the cost of the entire FOB, because it wants the corporation to pay the full amount," the official said.

The corporation also said no footpath has been provided on the east side of the station because the land was originally occupied by huts. It said complaints about inadequate lighting would be passed on to the office concerned. However, the corporation's position is that the construction of the FOB, its connection to the station and railway-related infrastructure should be sorted out by Central Railway itself, in coordination with the agencies concerned.

The differences between Central Railway and the corporation over the FOB have still not been resolved. As a result, commuters at Ray Road station continue to wait for safe and convenient entry and exit. The worry over the lack of a proper route persists, especially for senior citizens, women and those travelling at peak hours.

Javed Shaikh, who takes the local train to CSMT for work, said, "We have been writing letters to the authorities for a long time. The southern bridge was closed in 2022 for maintenance work and we have been waiting since then for it to reopen. We have almost given up hope of the bridge reopening, but the dangerous route for entry and exit on the east side is a big worry, and we expect the authorities to make it safe and convenient."

Ainullah Khan, 63, who lives on the east side of Ray Road station, said, "Reaching the station is just a painful journey. I have to walk over rubble and then climb rough steps. At my age, I at least need a decent footpath to the station. With the FOB closed, commuters' difficulties have grown, and they have to walk to the north end of the platform to reach the bridge that is available."