Mumbai’s Metro system, known for easing commuting challenges for millions, is now facing criticism due to severe last-mile safety concerns. With dimly lit and deserted streets surrounding several stations, particularly on Line 7, commuters—especially women—are expressing fears about their personal safety. Stations such as Dindoshi, Poisar, and Rashtriya Udyan have been flagged for having poorly maintained and unsafe surroundings, making evening commutes risky.
Despite the convenience the Metro system offers, regular commuters face a daunting task in the final stretch of their journey. A female commuter, travelling daily from Gundavli to Dindoshi, shared her discomfort about walking the 1.5 km poorly-lit stretch from Dindoshi Metro to Oberoi Mall, stating that it feels unsafe, particularly after 9 pm. Another commuter, a college student, voiced her anxiety over Poisar Metro station, which remains shrouded in darkness, forcing her to avoid travelling late. These concerns highlight the critical gap between transportation infrastructure and the safety needs of its users.
In some cases, women have reported unsettling encounters. A Borivli resident shared a disturbing experience of being followed by a stranger near Poisar station late at night. She recounted how poorly lit streets increase the risk of harassment or theft. Meanwhile, A nurse, raised similar concerns regarding Rashtriya Udyan station, where deserted under-construction structures further elevate the fear of attack. The lack of proper street lighting, broken footpaths, and encroachment around these Metro stations reveal significant infrastructural failings. Pedestrians are often forced to navigate dangerous, dug-up roads, putting them at risk of accidents. Commuters frequently encounter groups of loiterers, dimly lit alleyways, and isolated streets—all of which exacerbate concerns about security, particularly for women.
Urban planners and social activists, including founder of the Walking Project, have long advocated for better last-mile connectivity and safer pedestrian pathways. According to him, the failure to implement a “pedestrian-first” policy reflects poorly on the city’s planning authorities, notably the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). He points to the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy, introduced more than a decade ago, which prioritised walkability. Despite this, little progress has been made. With no elected corporators overseeing BMC’s operations for over two years, several safety and infrastructure issues remain unaddressed.
A senior BMC official has acknowledged the problem, stating that steps are being taken to enhance lighting and pedestrian safety around the Metro stations. Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner of the P South ward, assured that the Dindoshi Metro stretch would be prioritised, with work beginning in collaboration with Adani Electricity to improve illumination. However, budget constraints have hampered the process. Despite an allocation of Rs 100 crore for footpath repairs in 2019, the budget was cut by 86 per cent in 2020 due to the pandemic, leaving essential repairs and upgrades delayed.
