Building a staircase for the upcoming Saraswat Nagar station on the Metro Yellow Line 2B will necessitate the demolition of a newly built passport office at the entrance of the Khar police station on SV Road, sparking concerns among police staff.
According to sources, the Metro station staircase will land exactly at the site of the passport office that is operated on the police station premises. The facility was opened immediately after the Khar police relocated from an adjacent building to their new premises on August 15. The arrangement was made in the wake of an order issued by the Mumbai police commissioner, directing all police stations across the city to set up passport offices at the entrance for the convenience of citizens.
The passport office at the entrance of Khar police station, which is on the chopping block. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
However, with the Khar Metro station stairs directly impacting the front portion of the police station, the authorities are now looking at other possible locations to set up the passport office on the premises. A police officer from Khar police station told mid-day, “We have received intimation from MMRDA about the demolition. The matter will be discussed with Metro officials, the BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation], and senior police authorities.”
Apart from the demolition issue, officers also fear that the new Metro station will worsen traffic congestion outside the police station, which is situated on an already-busy stretch. Khar police officers and BMC and MMRDA officials are expected to attend a meeting in the coming days to discuss possible adjustments to the station design or relocation options for the passport office.
Senior Inspector Sanjeev Dhumal said, “We were informed by the Metro authorities that they are going to develop a staircase, escalator, and lift outside the police station. They will demolish the passport office. We are planning to shift the passport office to the first floor or the rear of the police station. We are trying to provide the best services to citizens.”
A police officer said, “Approximately 100 people, including senior citizens, visit the Khar police station for passport-related work every day. We have not decided where the passport office will be shifted, but we are doing our best to ensure citizens won’t be inconvenienced.” mid-day reached out to MMRDA officials, but received no response by press time.
About the Yellow Line
The under-construction Metro Line 2B, from DN Nagar to Mandale, is a 23.64-km elevated corridor with 20 stations, connecting western and eastern suburbs, including Chembur, Kurla, and BKC. The Saraswat Nagar Metro station on SV Road has multiple entry-exit points, one of which is near the Khar police station. Work on Lines 2A and 2B began around 2016, and while the former is operational, the latter is progressing well. Line 2B will be the first new Metro to cater to commuters in the eastern suburbs in the past ten years, after Blue Line 1 had started operations from Ghatkopar.
