Gap between platform, train high also at Cotton Mkt stn

Nagpur: Despite being directed by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) to maintain permissible gaps 17 months ago, the Metro station at Cotton Market has a 113mm gap between the coach door and platform as against the norm of maximum 75mm.
Citing other shortcomings, CMRS Janak Kumar Garg has given approval for the station to be used only for three months.

On September 12, TOI had reported that Prajapati Nagar station is among the few in the country where the gap is double than permissible. On April 13 last year, CMRS wrote to the nine rail corporations, including MahaMetro, to address the problem by providing an elastic gap filler as stipulated in schedule of dimensions (SOD), approved by the Railway Board and Research Designs and Standards Organization.
Garg also directed the corporations to maintain horizontal and vertical gaps between coach door and platform during construction of new stations.
Metro sources told TOI that the problem exists at more stations. As a trial, an attempt was made to correct the gap at Shankar Nagar station. But the problem at Prajapati Nagar and other stations have not been corrected in these 17 months. Even new stations have been constructed with the faulty design.
Garg directed Metro to rectify the problem at Cotton Market station before opening it for passenger. The station came into operation on Thursday with the gap not reduced.
Mahametro did not reply to TOI’s queries.
The CMRS also pointed out that there are not enough entry points with escalators. “Provision of remaining entry/exits along with lift and escalator as per design and in compliance with report of standardization/indigenization circulated by ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) will be completed at the earliest and not later than March 31, 2024.”
The CMRS also directed Metro to comply the guidelines stipulated in National Building Code-2016 and Harmonized Guidelines and Space Standards 2016 of MoHUA for barrier-free environment for passengers with disabilities.
“Suitable marking on platform shall be made to guide train operator for correct stopping. Shock treatment chart and first aid box with prescribed medicines shall be provided at stations. Provision of sufficient number of wheel chairs and stretchers shall be ensured at stations. This sanction is valid for a period of three months from the date of its issue. Metro shall re-approach to the Commission if the sanction is not implemented within above period.
“Metro Railway administration is not expected to dilute any of the stipulations mentioned in this sanction. Any dilution in the stipulations as detailed above shall automatically invalidate the sanction,” the CMRS noted.