MMRDA to complete 26 skywalks before May end

Mumbai April 16, 2010 – To ease commuters woes, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is working round–the-clock to complete 26 skywalk projects by end of May 2010. The authority has set the target to complete its partially completed 18 skywalk projects before the end of May. Of the 34 skywalks, 8 skywalks are fully completed, 10 are partially completed and 8 skywalks are completed 90 percent. A cost of Rs. 98 crores has been incurred on the 8 completed skywalks and Rs. 121 crores have been spent on further 8 skywalks which are 90% complete, additional Rs. 122 crores have been spent so far on the 10 partially completed skywalks.
Andheri East, Vile Parle West, Vasai Road, Kandivali East, Grant Road West, Bhandup West, Ambarnath West and Kalyan West are the skywalks which are 90 percent completed and processing speedily to finish the flooring and hand railing.
The other 10 partially completed skywalks which are expected to be ready by end of May include Dahisar (East & West), Borivali west, Santacruz (west & east), Bandra West, Badlapur East, Ulhasnagar West, Ghatkopar West, and Chembur.
“With 26 skywalks to be fully operational, we expect per day traffic of one lakh people on each skywalk. With monsoon nearing we are confident that all these skywalks will be utilized at its maximum,” Said Ms Ashwini Bhide, Joint Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
“During monsoon, there is lot of rush every where i.e railway stations, bus stops and roads. There would be too much crowding during peak hours and so we are trying our best to complete work of 18 skywalks by end of May”, Said Mr Dilip Kawathkar, Joint Project Director, MMRDA.
The skywalks which are fully operational are Virar West, Bhayandar West, Mira Road, Bandra East (Court), Bandra East (Kala Nagar), Badlapur West, Vidyavihar West and Kanjurmarg and around 5 lakh commuters use these skywalk everyday during the rush hours.