Mumbai Metro opens FOBs on Metro Line 7

In a significant relief for Mumbai's Metro commuters, two foot overbridges (FOBs) - Dindoshi and Rashtriya Udyan - have been opened to the public. This development allows safe crossing of the Western Express Highway (WEH) from Metro Line 7. SVR Srinivas, the Commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), inaugurated the FOBs on Thursday. He emphasized that these FOBs are vital components of the multi-modal integration plans, which prioritize accessibility, safety, and last-mile connectivity from Metro stations. Srinivas highlighted that the FOBs will not only benefit Metro passengers but also pedestrians seeking to cross the roads. Private offices and commercial establishments are also utilizing FOBs to connect their premises with nearby Metro stations. This direct connectivity enables people to reach malls and offices without having to cross busy roads, thus reducing conflicts and accidents. The Dindoshi FOB spans 112 meters in length and is four meters wide. Meanwhile, the FOB at Rashtriya Udyan Metro station measures 83 meters in length and four meters in width, facilitating East-West connectivity from the station's northern side. The foot overbridge at Rashtriya Udyan will serve residents and commuters in the vicinity of the park, including Ashok Van, Kajupada, NG Park Complex, Borivali East, and Kulupwadi. The Dindoshi FOB will benefit pedestrians and residents of Koknipada, Malad East, Gokuldham, Film City, and Pathanwadi. Multi-Modal Integration plans: MMRDA is actively involved in planning and designing Multi-Modal Integration (MMI) plans for Metro lines 2A and 7. These plans prioritize accessibility, safety, and last-mile connectivity from Metro stations. As part of this initiative, the station influence area will be redesigned to ensure efficient and safe dispersal of traffic and commuters. The proposed upgrades include restructuring carriageways, footpaths, FOBs, re-routing utilities, streetlights, relocating bus stops, providing pickup-drop-off bays for buses, IPTs (Intermediate Public Transport), private vehicles, dedicated metro feeders through e-vehicles, way-finding maps, signages, traffic signals, CCTV surveillance, beautification, street furniture, and public bicycle sharing (PBS) infrastructure. This infrastructure enhancement will cover an area within a 250-meter radius of each Metro station, which is considered an average walking distance for last-mile connectivity to mass transit stations. Currently, the MMRDA is constructing seven FOBs at Gundavali, Goregaon, Aarey, Poiser, and Overipada Metro stations on Metro Line 7. The FOB at Gundavali has already been inaugurated, providing a crucial link between Metro Line 7 and Metro Line 1.