Locals oppose new skywalk at Malad

The work has been delayed by almost two months; the barricading is there, but nothing has been done after, say civic officials. Pics/Satej Shinde

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned a skywalk for smooth pedestrian connectivity at Malad east so that the crowded narrow Daftari Road can be cleared. The project is aimed at connecting the Malad Metro station to the Malad Railway station to make the route more commuter friendly in the near future. The project is expected to cost the civic body about Rs 36 crore. However, civic officials said that the work has currently halted due to opposition from locals, as they fear their privacy may be affected.

In a first, the civic body has taken on constructing a skywalk on its own. While the civic body has planned the reconstruction of the Bandra east skywalk and the extension of the Santacruz east skywalk, both of which were constructed by other government agencies, this skywalk has been designed and is being executed by the BMC itself.

Interestingly, the BMC is still going ahead with such projects though the skywalks in the city did not see the expected footfall and were criticised for anti-social elements on them. The solution to the anti-social elements problem that the civic body has come up with, is keeping the skywalks roofless, so that there is also no encroachment and people don't start to live there.

Work delayed

But the Malad project ran into problems soon after construction began, as local politicians and citizens opposed it. The work has been delayed by almost two months; the barricading is done at the site, but no work after that, said civic officials.

Locals had complained that skywalk would be close to their buildings and anyone could see into their homes. But BMC officials said they can place view guards so
that no one can peep into the homes of these residents. The skywalk is a long route of about 1 kilometer that will exit near the Western Express Highway and connect to the metro station.

Local MLA Atul Bhatkalkar and Corporator Daksha Patel were both unavailable for comment. Chief Engineer, Bridges Department, Satish Thosar said, "We have started the work but it has currently halted owing to opposition from the locals. We are trying to resolve the issue so that the work can be taken up at the earliest."

Rs 36-cr
Cost of the construction of the skywalk