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Mumbai Dabbawalas urge metro, monorail to provide dedicated luggage areas

Mumbai Dabbawalas urge metro, monorail to provide dedicated luggage areas

Mumbai: As the city’s transport infrastructure undergoes a radical transformation, the Mumbai Dabbawala Association is calling for a more inclusive approach to public transport. The group, comprising working-class people who transport lunch boxes to different parts of the city, is urging the Maharashtra Chief Minister to create special luggage areas in metro and monorail trains.

Mumbai Dabbewala Association President Subhash Talekar said, “The current regulations on baggage size and weight are restrictive, making it difficult for us to carry our essentials. We need a more flexible and accommodating system that takes into account the needs of working class people like us. This is not just about the Dabbawalas; it is about the entire working class of Mumbai. We must ensure that our public transport system is equipped to cater to the diverse needs of our citizens.”

Letter from Mumbai Dabewala Association to CM Eknath Shinde

Letter from Mumbai Dabewala Association to CM Eknath Shinde | FPJ

The Dabbawalas are the mainstay of Mumbai’s informal economy, providing an essential service to thousands of office workers and employees. However, their ability to use the city’s new transport infrastructure is hampered by the lack of suitable luggage storage facilities.

“We are not just asking for special treatment; we are asking for a more humane and realistic approach to public transport. We deliver tiffins to the biggest companies, travel to the suburbs, but we do not have access to travel on the Mumbai Metro or the monorail,” Talekar added.

MMRDA accepts Dabbawalas request, awaits govt confirmation

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is currently building the city’s most extensive metro network, stretching 337 kilometres. The Dabbawalas want to work with the authorities to create a more inclusive transport system that caters to the diverse needs of the city’s residents.

The MMRDA has acknowledged the request and is awaiting a clear directive from the state government. An MMRDA official said, “We cannot offer any perspective on this issue until we receive a clear directive from the state government. A formal policy decision is required to provide a basis for our consideration and response.”

The Dabbawalas remain hopeful that their efforts will lead to a more inclusive and equitable transport system in Mumbai.