Mumbai Skywalk Project

Mumbai Skywalk Project
Info
Locale	Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Transit type	Footbridge
Number of lines	36
Daily ridership	over 565,000/day (for MMR, August 2010)
Operation
Operator(s)	Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation

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 in June 2008. The network consists of 36 skywalks. Average daily foot count for 23 skywalks in August 2010 was estimated at about 565,000.^[1]

History

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.) make the suburban railway stations 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. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) conceived of the Skywalks in response to these problems in 2007.^[2]

MMRDA planned to build 50 Skywalks in the first phase, ranging from 1 to 2 miles in length.^[3] The first 18 skywalks were to be built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).^[2] 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. 36 skywalks were committed as of August 2010.

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.^[4]

Status

The first phase of Mumbai Skywalks consisting of 50 skywalks was expected to cost about 607.21 crore (US$120 million).^[5][3] 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".

After completing the feasibility studies, and inviting bids, 36 skywalks have been constructed as of December 2010.^[6] MMRDA recovered some of the cost of maintenance through the sale of advertising space on the walkways.

The Borivali West skywalk is the longest skywalk in India and one of the longest in the world. It connects SVP Road to Chandavarkar Road via the Borivali Railway Station.^{[citation needed]}

Skywalks

There are currently 36 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

References

1. ^ "24Main Edition-pg9-0.qxd (Page 1)" (PDF). http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epaperpdf/25082010/24main%20edition-pg9-0.pdf. Retrieved 2010-08-30. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "MMRDA - Projects - Skywalk". Mmrdamumbai.org. http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/skywalk.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-30. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Bellman, Eric (2010-01-19). "Mumbai Builds 'Skywalks,' Elevated Walkways That Let Pedestrians Move Above Crowded Streets - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703837004575013193075912272.html. Retrieved 2010-08-30. 
4. ^ "Mumbai pedestrians can walk safe in the sky". The Hindu Business Line. 2008-11-23. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2008/11/23/stories/2008112350761700.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-30. 
5. ^ "Proposed SKYWALKS in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)". MMRDA. http://202.54.119.40/skywalk.htm. Retrieved 2011-10-27. 
6. ^ "MMRDA". 202.71.136.179 D. http://202.71.136.179/mmrda/showProject.jsp?srv=lKV6b36G9l4O3C. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 
7. ^ http://202.54.119.40/docs/skywalk-status.pdf