MMRDA to develop skywalks for suburban rly stations

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to construct skywalks (elevated walkways) outside 50 suburban railway stations at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

The first such skywalk will be ready by the end of this month outside Bandra railway station. The 1.3-km-long skywalk between Bandra railway station and the Kalanagar junction will provide quick access and dispersal system to at least 100,000 people during peak hours. The MMRDA will spend around Rs 13.63 crore on this project.

Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said the MMRDA had decided to extend this skywalk by another 800 metres to the Kherwadi junction.

Gaikwad said all 50 proposed skywalks would be completed by May next year.

'As the Bandra skywalk was an experimental project, we have not provided space for hawkers. However, the forthcoming skywalks will have separate spaces for shopkeepers and hawkers,' he said.

The MMRDA hoped to recover the investment through sale of advertising rights, Gaikwad said.