THE METRO SUBWAY
For a world-class feeling, take a walk down under
Mumbai: Madam, yeh to foreign jaisa hai! gushed a security guard at Gate No 7 of the spanking new subway at Metro cinema. The labyrinth of corridors with nine gates, stone walls and state-of-theart lighting could well have popped out of a western locale.
For the geographically challenged, there are a host of signs hanging from the roof, pointing to the various entrances and the streets they lead to. And for those whore still lost, theres an army of security guards ever ready to lend a helping hand. I was standing in the middle of one of the corridors in the subway, unsure of which way to turn, when a security guard appeared from behind and put me on the right track, said Venetia Jacobs, a college-goer, adding this was the first time she experienced such concern in Mumbai.
Currently, there are 40 guards manning the nine subway gates in shifts and a bunch of sweepers who scrub the floors all through the day, leaving the ground spotless. In a few days well start fining those who smoke or litter, says Chandramani Pawar, a guard. For the time being, offenders have been let off with a
warning. Even those who shout out loud to hear the echo are swiftly silenced. The guards say theyll ensure that it wears its brand-new look long after the footfall increases.
Its not just the posh interiors that meet international standards. The subway also scores brownie points when it comes to sensitivity towards the disabled and the aged, who can zoom in and out of the tunnel via a special lift fitted at four of the entrances.
Not everyone dived underground with the purpose of decongesting the roads. Some were simply in search of a new experience. Sittarao Yadav, who sells bikes, said that he wasnt going anywhere and had spent the last 15 minutes exploring what he described as the stone caves.
For those getting back home in a hurry, but dutifully bypassing the traffic above, the experience was a pleasure. It might take slightly longer to reach from one spot to another underground, but it feels so good using the subway that its worth the effort, said Prabhakar Khandare, who was on his way home after catching a film at Metro.
Many said theyd never seen something like this before. TNN
For the geographically challenged, there are a host of signs hanging from the roof, pointing to the various entrances and the streets they lead to. And for those whore still lost, theres an army of security guards ever ready to lend a helping hand. I was standing in the middle of one of the corridors in the subway, unsure of which way to turn, when a security guard appeared from behind and put me on the right track, said Venetia Jacobs, a college-goer, adding this was the first time she experienced such concern in Mumbai.
Currently, there are 40 guards manning the nine subway gates in shifts and a bunch of sweepers who scrub the floors all through the day, leaving the ground spotless. In a few days well start fining those who smoke or litter, says Chandramani Pawar, a guard. For the time being, offenders have been let off with a
warning. Even those who shout out loud to hear the echo are swiftly silenced. The guards say theyll ensure that it wears its brand-new look long after the footfall increases.
Its not just the posh interiors that meet international standards. The subway also scores brownie points when it comes to sensitivity towards the disabled and the aged, who can zoom in and out of the tunnel via a special lift fitted at four of the entrances.
Not everyone dived underground with the purpose of decongesting the roads. Some were simply in search of a new experience. Sittarao Yadav, who sells bikes, said that he wasnt going anywhere and had spent the last 15 minutes exploring what he described as the stone caves.
For those getting back home in a hurry, but dutifully bypassing the traffic above, the experience was a pleasure. It might take slightly longer to reach from one spot to another underground, but it feels so good using the subway that its worth the effort, said Prabhakar Khandare, who was on his way home after catching a film at Metro.
Many said theyd never seen something like this before. TNN
BRAND-NEW LOOK: The Metro subway not only has 40 guards manning the nine subway gates but also has a special lift which will cater to the disabled and the aged