Metro sites to get more guards

MUMBAI: Mumbai Metro One (MM1), which is building the first metro line (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar), has agreed to a demand by citizen groups to ensure more guards at project sites near schools. At a meeting at Chakala in Andheri, the citizens pointed out thatprecautions should be taken to ensure against injuries to school children. "Theguards should be particularly vigilant when schools open and close, as there isa rush of children onto the streets,'' said James John, an activist fromAgni.Earlier this year, two schoolboys drowned in a stagnant pool ofwater at a project site along the metro route. The public meeting onSunday sought to sort out issues which the public have with respect to the metrorail project, which is 11.55 km long and has 12 stations along its route.Others who participated in the discussion with MM1 officialsincluded Manali Gaikwad (Pansheel Mahila Mandal), Ladislaus Pereira (Gondowlivillage gaothan, Andheri) and activist Rishi Agarwal.John pointedout that there was greater need for safety precautions at project sites as thereare many metal objects lying on the road after barricades are removed. Agarwalsaid there was need for better debris management. He remarked that project sitemanagement was more efficient during the Delhi Metro'sconstruction.Pereira said people in Andheri (W) find it difficult towalk along from Gondowli Lane 3 to the Western Express highway as there was muckand sewerage on the roads during the construction work. He displayed videofootage on the problems pedestrians face while walking along the road near themetro rail project.Agarwal remarked that elected representativesshould take greater interest in how large projects which come up in theirconstituencies adversely affect lives of people in the area.MumbaiMetro officials said they were keen to sort out the issue of debrismanagement.