On July 23, the smart new Grant Road skywalk was thrown open to the public, surpassing its deadline by five years. Built on a generous budget of Rs 43.12 crore, it was a crown jewel that stood out in the night, complete with escalators to ferry people up and down.
In less that two weeks, the structure, which was planned as a showcase project, has become an eyesore. Exposing the shoddy work done by contractor J Kumar, the aluminium composite panel put on one of the skywalk pillars has sprung a leak, providing pedestrians a 'free shower'. Moreover, the skywalk now shelters several junkies and alcoholics, who use the area to get high. Several homeless people have also camped there and even defecate on the spot.
According to Girish Joshi, a resident of Kemps Corner, the leaking panel on the skywalk pillar on Kennedy bridge road has posed quite a hazard. "This pillar is next to a footwear showroom. It seems that water is getting accumulated within," said Joshi.
Nana Chowk resident Jayesh Rajput said, "Druggies who live on the skywalk make indecent gestures to people whose homes are at level with the skywalk. Children are defecating it. Despite us bringing the problems to the notice of the authorities, no concrete action has been initiated by the police or any other government agencies."
Work on this oval shaped structure supported by 16 cables at Nana Chowk junction had begun back in December 2008 with an aim to open it in June 2009, but there was delay of five years. It is only during the inauguration ceremony on July 23 that the escalators were functioning, after which they barred from public use.
When B N Ohol, chief engineer of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation was asked about the concerns raised by locals, he said, "I am unaware of these issues, I will look into the problems brought to my notice tomorrow."
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