New design for FOBs to decongest platforms

Foot overbridges (FOBs) on some suburban stations will have more access points for commuters, easing congestion on platforms during peak hours. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has planned to build FOBs with more entry and exit points.

The new design, called ‘bifurcated staircase’, involves an additional set of staircases descending from the middle of the bridge. “In the traditional FOB model, there are just two access points from either side of the FOB. There is a lot of unutilised space in the middle. This design makes maximum use of the space on a platform,” a senior railway official said.

Typically, an FOB runs from east to west connecting all platforms and has access points on the sides, from north and south, at each platform. In the new model, staircases will start from the middle of the bridge and run parallel to it from the east and west. They will converge on a common deck below the FOB, which will be connected to platforms with another set of stairs from the north and south. This set of staircases will be in addition to the two traditional access points for an FOB.

R.S. Khurana, chairman and managing director, MRVC, said, “The new design will help reduce crowding at the base of a staircase on platforms during rush hour. We will try and adopt this model in locations where it is technically feasible. At present, we have identified five stations where this new design can be implemented.”

The design will only be applicable to FOBs that are at least 10 metres wide, as narrower FOBs will not have the space for such an arrangement. At present, MRVC has planned these FOBs at Nalasopara, Andheri, Mahim, Mahalaxmi and Mumbai Central. Railway officials said the new design will not increase the cost of building an FOB.

Railway officials said the traditional design of FOBs did not allow for space to provide both escalators and staircases. The new design makes it this possible, which they say will reduce crowding on staircases and escalators. “Since most of the current escalators are ascending, commuters trying to catch a train often find it hard to reach the platform. The new model should provide some relief,” a senior official said.