AQUA LINE MUMBAI METRO 3 CREATES TRANSPORT INEQUITY FOR CYCLISTS

pedalandtringtring

1 year ago

Recently, the much-awaited Mumbai Metro 3 (extension of Metro line 1 and 2), also called the ‘Aqua line’ service was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. This Metro service operates between BKC and Aarey and expected to ease commute challenges of the people by reduced travel time.

I was excited to travel in the new Mumbai Metro and visited the BKC station with my bicycle. And to my surprise, I was denied entry to the platform with my bicycle. The ticket office refused to issue a ticket and the security said that ‘Bicycles are not allowed in Metro line 3”. There is no clear notification about the bicycle policy on the MMRCL website.

I was astonished to learn about this anti-cyclist policy. On one hand, the government makes big claims of making inclusive development while the reality is different.

How can we make our cities sustainable without encouraging cycling?

There are already cycling tracks built in the BKC area and the government has spent a lot of tax payers’ money in creating that infrastructure which has gone unused due to several reasons.

Thousands of people travel daily to the BKC area for work and business. With the new Metro service, it was a good opportunity to promote use of bicycles for last mile connectivity.

Further, a cycling culture could have been developed amongst the affluent society who otherwise prefer taking a car.

The traffic congestion in the BKC area is high and bicycles can improve the situation to some extent.

People are also troubled with the Rickshaw mafia operating in the BKC area and often face difficulties in hiring a Rickshaw.

When it comes to combining train journeys with bicycles, Europe has successfully achieved that formula. Mass transits like Trains, Metros, Trams and Buses have the ability to transport large groups by occupying less road space, more economically and efficiently. Thus, reducing dependency on cars.

Bicycles work phenomenally as a micro-mobility alternative and help to achieve the last mile connectivity. And its many benefits to environment are already proven.

If India has to fulfill its promise of going carbon neutral by 2070 made at the COP26 in 2021, then we have to ensure that we walk the talk. By increasingly promoting cars and building car-centric infrastructure, we are boosting our economy but compromising on our long-term sustainable development goals.

At present, the news is that bicycles are not allowed in the Mumbai Metro 3 Aqua Line. This is a huge disappointment especially for the cycling community. But you can carry a folding cycle which can pass through the security scanner – like a Brompton for instance. The dimension of the folding cycle must be 90x75x45 cms is what I was told by the security staff. I will still suggest you to inquire with the MMRCL helpline before traveling with your cycle in the Mumbai Metro Aqua line.

At the moment, cycles are allowed in Metro lines 1 and 2. This has created confusion as line 3 is an extension of the previous Metro services. If someone wants to cover the entire distance, he/she will be able to travel with a bicycle only half way. So, what happens to the other half of the journey? It’s a very contradictory policy and lacks unified approach.

Let’s wait and watch if the authorities reverse their decision and allow us to carry our bicycles. Apparently, the designers have not made a provision of a bicycle parking stand inside the Metro; like the one we have it in line 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, the struggle to push cycling in the transportation hierarchy continues.

What are your views about this policy? Please share in the comments below.

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