Mumbai Skywalk Project

Mumbai Skywalk Project
Overview
Owner MMRDA, MSRDC
Locale Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India
Transit type Footbridge
Number of lines 37
Daily ridership 565,000 daily (August 2010)
Operation
Began operation 24 June 2008

The Mumbai Skywalk Project is a series of skyways for pedestrian use in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The skywalks connect Mumbai Suburban Railway stations or other high-concentration commercial areas with various heavily targeted 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 about 565,000.[2]

History

Vile-Parle-Skywalk

Mumbai's Suburban Railway already 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 suburban railway stations are the most congested areas of the city. The problem is further aggravated by the presence of hawkers and parked vehicles, making the commute hazardous for pedestrians. In 2007, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) conceived of the skywalks in response to these problems.[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 607.21 crore (US$90 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.[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 Goregaon (W) 625
16 Ghatkopar (W) 315
17 Grant Road 650
18 Kalyan (E) 637
19 Kalyan (W) 1287
20 Kandivali (E) 1025
21 Kanjurmarg (E) 222
22 Mira Road (E) 525
23 Santacruz (E) 685
24 Santacruz (W) 438
25 Sion 1041
26 Thane (E) 1350
27 Ulhasnagar (E) 445
28 Ulhasnagar (W) 890
29 Vasai Road (W) 615
30 Vidyavihar (E) 191
31 Vidyavihar (W) 149
32 Vikhroli (W) 440
33 Vile Parle (W) 460
34 Virar (E) 285
35 Virar (W) 630
36 Wadala 750
37 Kharghar 1780

References

  1. "24Main Edition-pg9-0.qxd (Page 1)" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  2. 1 2 "MMRDA – Projects – Skywalk". Mmrdamumbai.org. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  3. 1 2 Bellman, Eric (19 January 2010). "Mumbai Builds 'Skywalks,' Elevated Walkways That Let Pedestrians Move Above Crowded Streets - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  4. "Proposed SKYWALKS in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)". MMRDA. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  5. "Mumbai pedestrians can walk safe in the sky". The Hindu Business Line. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  6. "Skywalk status" (PDF). MMRDA. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
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