Mumbai Skywalk Project

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Mumbai Skywalk Project
Overview
OwnerMMRDA, MSRDC
LocaleMumbai Metropolitan Region, India
Transit typeFootbridge
Number of lines37
Daily ridership565,000 daily (August 2010)
Operation
Began operation24 June 2008

The Mumbai Skywalk Project is a series of pedestrian skyways in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The skywalks connect Mumbai Suburban Railway stations and other high-concentration commercial areas with various destinations. The purpose of the skywalks is efficient dispersal of commuters from congested areas to strategic locations, such as bus stations, taxi stands, shopping areas, etc. and vice versa.

The first skywalk was inaugurated on 24 June 2008.[1] There are 36 skywalks in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The average daily foot count for 23 skywalks in August 2010 was estimated at 565,000.[2]

History

Vile-Parle-Skywalk

Mumbai's Suburban Railway has one of the highest passenger densities of any urban railway system in the world. With almost 7 million passengers using the system daily, as well as the associated transport interchanges in their vicinity (bus stations, taxi stands, autorickshaw stands, car parks, etc.) the areas around the suburban railway stations are the most congested in the city. The problem is further aggravated by the presence of hawkers and parked vehicles, making the commute hazardous for pedestrians. The skyways were constructed to reduce risk to pedestrians.[3]

MMRDA planned to build 50 skywalks in the first phase, ranging from 1 to 2 miles in length.[4] The first 18 skywalks were to be built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).[3] Following feedback and criticism of some of the skywalks based on the proposed routes or other conflicting development plans, 17 of these were cancelled and others added.

The first phase of Mumbai Skywalks consisting of 50 skywalks was expected to cost about 6.0721 billion (US$80 million).[4][5] The proposed Mahim East skywalk was challenged by the Mahim Skywalk Protest Committee. MMRDA announced in June 2009 that it was cancelling the proposed Mahim East skywalk due to "alignment conflicts with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project."

The first Skywalk was completed in June 2008 from Bandra station to Kalanagar Junction, measuring 1.3 km. It is used by over 100,000 pedestrians daily.[6]

MMRDA recovered some of the cost of maintenance through the sale of advertising space on the walkways.

Skywalks

Vasai Skywalk Inside View

There are currently 37 skywalks in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.[7]

S. No. Location Length (m)
1 Ambarnath (W) 350
2 Andheri (E) 581
3 Bandra (E) Court 494
4 Bandra (E) – Kalanagar 970
5 Bandra (W) 864
6 Badlapur (E) 449.12
7 Badlapur (W) 391.5
8 Bhandup (W) 465
9 Bhayandar (W) 225
10 Borivali (W) 1395
11 Chembur 323
12 Cotton Green 385
13 Dahisar (E) 410
14 Dahisar (W) 850
15 Dombivli (W)
16 Dombivli (E)
17 Goregaon (W) 625
18 Ghatkopar (W) 315
19 Grant Road 650
20 Kalyan (E) 637
21 Kalyan (W) 1287
22 Kandivali (E) 1025
23 Kanjurmarg (E) 222
24 Mira Road (E) 525
25 Santacruz (E) 685
26 Santacruz (W) 438
27 Sion 1041
28 Thane (E) 1350
29 Thane (W)
30 Ulhasnagar (E) 445
31 Ulhasnagar (W) 890
32 Vasai Road (W) 615
33 Vidyavihar (E) 191
34 Vidyavihar (W) 149
35 Vikhroli (W) 440
36 Vile Parle (W) 460
37 Virar (E) 285
38 Virar (W) 630
39 Wadala 750
40 Kharghar 1780

References

  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ "24Main Edition-pg9-0.qxd (Page 1)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  3. ^ a b "MMRDA – Projects – Skywalk". Mmrdamumbai.org. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b Bellman, Eric (19 January 2010). "Mumbai Builds 'Skywalks,' Elevated Walkways That Let Pedestrians Move Above Crowded Streets – WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Proposed SKYWALKS in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)". MMRDA. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Mumbai pedestrians can walk safe in the sky". Business Line. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  7. ^ "Skywalk status" (PDF). MMRDA. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.

8. Siddha Sky – Located at Wadala, Mumbai, having longest rooftop skywalk.