Lack of Adequate VT Sparks Concern in Mumbai, India

The absence of descending escalators and non-functional elevators at the newly inaugurated Metro Line 3 that connects to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, India, has sparked concern the city’s infrastructure projects fail to provide adequate accessibility, outlets including Urban Acres report. Sub-par vertical-transportation (VT) at metro stations along the 33.5-km Aqua Line that connects South Mumbai to BOM have forced flyers to drag suitcases down long flights of stairs at both Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), and T2 travelers must walk nearly 500 m from the metro exit to the airport gates. Those at T1 must walk approximately 200 m. Users have taken to social media to air their grievances, with one regular flyer stating that, despite the metro’s aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency, “the experience collapses when basic commuter comfort is ignored.” Commuters have implored Mumbai Metro Rail Corp., which executed Metro Line 3, to address the situation.