Most of the city’s 37 skywalks, which were built with an aim to keep roads clear of pedestrians, lie unused today. DNA begins a study of these structures worth hundreds of crores of rupees
After the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been able to move out the hawkers from places adjacent to the railway stations, the hawkers now seem to rely on the skywalks. DNA spotted many of them thronging the skywalks to run their business. Several skywalks are also calling for attention because they have been reeling under utter negligence. Also, many of them have become a den of anti-social elements.
A DNA team which visited several skywalks found that city's longest and busiest skywalk in Bandra East has become a new home for hawkers, including many who were moved out either from the foot over bridges (FOBs) on stations or outside the stations after Elphinstone bridge stampede. The team also spotted two police constables purchasing goods from such hawkers.
The flooring on the skywalk, riddled with rough patches and broken tiles, was hardly safe for daily commuting. The team, which visited the skywalk during the night, also found that several tube lights were not working.
Several signage on the skywalks were covered with billboards and the skywalk was also full with litters.
Ankit Arora, who daily uses the skywalk, told DNA: "The skywalk on the eastern side of Bandra is one of the most dangerous skywalks in terms of safety and security. There is no proper lighting and there are goons who are using the skywalk after sunset. I fear the place will be prone to crimes such as chain snatching."
The Bandra east skywalk is one of the busiest skywalk considering it caters to the public that is going towards the Bandra court, off the Western Express Highway (WEH), Kalanagar, and further towards Bandra Kurla Complex. "We are repairing the utilities on all the skywalks and are going to float bids for the same wherein several utilities like flooring tiles and the tube lights will be installed along with proper deployment of security," SO Kori, chief engineer, Bridge Department, BMC, said.
WALK TO NOWHERE
COST
Rs 13.63cr
HAWKERS
10-12 Hawkers presence
MAINTENANCE:
BMC
SECURITY:
Missing security guard
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bandra East Skywalk")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}