Mumbai: Short on funds, BMC puts Bandra skywalk on hold

The Bandra East skywalk was shut in 2019 as it was declared unsafe. File pics/Datta Kumbhar

Mumbai's first skywalk, closed down in 2019 after being declared unsafe for pedestrians, and won't be restarted anytime soon. The BMC decided to rebuild one route of the Bandra East skywalk last year, but hasn't done so yet, citing financial constraints.

The Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute on January 20, 2020, submitted a structural audit report of several bridges, including the skywalk. It stated that the bridge needed major repair works. The civic administration, however, decided to rebuild a part of the skywalk, which was first built by the MMRDA in 2008.

P Velarasu, additional commissioner of the BMC, had earlier said that repairing would cost around Rs 7 crore and won't even increase the skywalk's life significantly. Whereas, rebuilding one route would cost around Rs 15 crore and give a life of at least 40 years. The BMC wants to rebuild only one route, because reconstructing the entire skywalk would cost Rs 50 crore.

Currently, the skywalk has two arms - one leading to Kalanagar and another to Bandra court. The BMC chose to rebuild the route towards the court as it had the highest footfall. "The pandemic and lockdown changed priorities. Many projects that are not required immediately were put on hold, and focus was shifted to urgent works," said a civic official on condition of anonymity.

"The decision of inviting tenders will be taken soon," said Satish Thosar, chief (in-charge) of the BMC's bridges department.