Development works under the Smart City project outside Kalyan West railway station have remained incomplete for around eight years, prompting a local organisation to warn of a public agitation if the work is not finished within three months.
The demand was raised by the Manav Sahayak Seva Mandal, whose secretary Ammar Qazi and other office-bearers submitted a letter to the commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The organisation has asked the administration to take immediate steps to complete the pending works and improve conditions around the station.
Kalyan railway station is a heavily used interchange for local train passengers, State Transport bus users and other commuters. According to the representation, unfinished work around Kalyan West station has contributed to difficulties for pedestrians and vehicles, including congestion outside the station and problems at auto-rickshaw stands.
The organisation said repeated assurances from political leaders, ministers and municipal officials that the work would be completed had not led to a resolution. It has now warned that citizens will launch an agitation if the works are not completed within three months.
The station area experiences heavy daily pedestrian movement, with commuters travelling between the railway station, bus services, auto-rickshaw stands and surrounding roads. The representation said the slow progress of the Smart City works had worsened traffic congestion in the area, making it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to move through the station precinct.
It also raised concerns about the conditions faced by children, senior citizens, women and patients. According to the organisation, construction activity and unfinished sections at several locations have made it difficult for people to walk along the roads. The representation further claimed that insecurity, crime risks and pollution had increased because of the prolonged disruption.
The situation at auto-rickshaw stands was also identified as a serious concern. The organisation said vehicle movement outside the station was contributing to traffic bottlenecks and affecting the daily commute of residents and passengers. It called for administrative intervention focused on commuter convenience and the orderly management of the station area.
The representation received public support from organisation president Shankarrao Avhad, trustee Sanjay Vajpayee, Dr Girish Latke, Professor Mahendra Bhavsar, Ravikumar Dhomse, Damodar Kabra, Prashant Mhatre, Sharad Ghuge, Prashant Toshniwal and Yogesh Shah. Citizens and passengers, including women and senior citizens, reportedly welcomed the organisation’s decision to take up the issue.
The immediate stated deadline is three months. The organisation has asked the MMRDA and other concerned authorities to act during this period; failing that, it has said that a public agitation will be organised.
