Dr Pranav Kabra, Malad-Kandivali Residents Forum to meet Maha govt, CM, DCM, Ministers, Metro officials for boarding point at Charkop Metro shed

MUMBAI: The Malad-Kandivali Residents Forum (MKRF) – an umbrella citizens initiative representing residents of Orlem, Malwani, Marve, Aksa, Madh, Charkop, Jankalyan, Ganesh Nagar and surrounding areas will meet the CM, DCM, several senior Maharashtra government and Metro officials including Ministers in the coming week.

“We have sought an appointment with the local MLA Aslam Shaikh to update him about the issue and will be meeting him over the weekend,” Dr Pranav Kabra who is spearheading the MKRF said.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Raksha Multispeciality Hospital on Thursday, Dr Pranav Kabra – along with other members reiterated the need for a boarding point for local commuters at the Charkop Metro car-shed as it would greatly reduce traffic congestion

On behalf of hundreds of residents of the Malwani-Charkop area in suburban Mumbai Dr Pranav Kabra who runs the Raksha Multispeciality Hospital at Charkop Naka near the Atharwa College, had written to the Mumbai Metro Authority requesting for a boarding point or Metro Station at the Metro car-shed at Charkop.

According to Dr Kabra,”The area around the Mith Chowky as well Hindustan Naka Metro Stations is one of the most congested in terms of traffic. Further Malwani and Charkop are among the most polluted (in terms of air pollution) pockets in Mumbai suburbs. If a boarding point or mini-station is set up at the Charkop carshed area, without entering the actual carshed premises, hundreds if not thousands of people living at Malwani, Kharodi, Jankalyan Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Bhoomi Park, Marve and adjoining areas can just walk up to the boarding point at Charkop without having to board a bus or auto rickshaw. Traffic congestion is primarily due to the hundreds of auto rickshaws in the locality and if the Metro boarding point is less than 200 to 300 meters away, hundreds of commuters will just walk across. It will greatly reduce the traffic congestion on Link Road, Mith Chowky, Marve Road, Hindustan Naka and further reduce air pollution in the area as the number of autos plying in the area is likely to come down.“

The residents who have formed an umbrella group under the guidance of Dr Kabra called Malad-Kandivali Residents Forum have decided to further press for a boarding point or mini station and will even lead a delegation to the Mumbai Metro Authority in the coming days.

“We have sent the Metro Authority an informal email. Let us see what the response is. A group of us will also meet the concerned authorities in the coming days and press for our demand, which is really beneficial for the locality in the coming months and years as the population of the Malwani-Charkop locality and the Malad-Kandivali belt is growing at a rapid pace,” Dr Kabra opined.

According to Mrs Gulshan P K  of the MKRF, more than 5000 people from the locality commute towards Andheri West, Oshiwara as well as Borivali and Dahisar on the down line each day. “It will greatly benefit these people and help in a myriad of ways, not to forget the reduction in pollution levels,” she said.

According to their report, the MKRF Forum has claimed that local, air-polluting traffic of 2 & 3 wheelers will be reduced by more than 50% if the move is implemented.

“Spinal cord problems as well as other medical, orthopedic, respiratory (Asthma, COPD, Pneumonia, etc) and muscular pain issues, which are prevalent in the locality, will be greatly reduced,” Dr Kabra opined.