After a prolonged wait of five years following the dismantling of the original structure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally opened the much-anticipated skywalk in Mumbai's Bandra East area for pedestrian use. The inauguration ceremony was led by cabinet minister and local MLA Ashish Shelar on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the city's urban infrastructure development.
A Vital Connection for Commuters
The newly constructed skywalk stretches an impressive 680 meters in length, strategically designed to link the Western Express Highway (WEH) with the eastern side of Bandra railway station. This elevated pathway will provide direct and convenient access for citizens traveling from the station to the bustling Kalanagar Junction, recognized as one of Mumbai's busiest traffic intersections.
Addressing Daily Challenges
The Kalanagar area serves as a major commercial hub in the city, housing numerous government and private offices that attract substantial foot traffic daily. Presently, the junction is connected to Bandra station only via a minor road, which suffers from poor conditions and severe encroachment by hawkers and illegal vendors, making pedestrian movement difficult and unsafe.
As a result, commuters have often been forced to rely on auto-rickshaws, facing frequent harassment and exorbitant fares. During the inauguration, Shelar emphasized that the new skywalk will offer a much-improved access route for citizens while helping to decongest the road below, thereby enhancing overall mobility and safety.
Enhanced Features and Security
The new flyover is equipped with modern amenities to ensure user comfort and security. It includes two automated escalators for ease of access, along with four staircases to accommodate different user preferences. For added safety measures, the BMC has installed 14 CCTV cameras throughout the skywalk, providing comprehensive surveillance.
This represents a significant upgrade from the previous structure, which had only two access points and was consequently underutilized by pedestrians. The enhanced design aims to encourage greater public usage and reliability.
Background and Construction Challenges
The original skywalk was constructed in 2008 by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. However, a structural audit conducted by the BMC in 2019 revealed that the flyover was in poor condition, prompting authorities to initiate demolition work in 2021 to rebuild a new structure.
The project faced multiple delays beyond its initial deadlines due to various challenges, including the removal of utility channels and encroachments. Shelar noted during the inauguration that construction work could only be carried out during limited midnight hours due to heavy traffic on the WEH. Additionally, continuous pedestrian movement on the road beneath the skywalk required special precautions during the construction phase.
Future Prospects
Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner (projects), expressed confidence that the skywalk will prove to be a safe road-crossing facility, significantly improving pedestrian infrastructure in the area. The completion of this project underscores BMC's commitment to addressing urban mobility issues and enhancing public amenities in Mumbai.
The new skywalk is expected to alleviate daily commuting hassles for thousands of residents and office-goers, contributing to a more efficient and safer urban environment in Bandra East.
