The Mumbai Skywalk Project is a series of pedestrian skyways in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The skywalks connect Mumbai Suburban Railway stations and other high-concentration commercial areas with various 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. There are 36 skywalks in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The average daily foot count for 23 skywalks in August 2010 was estimated at 565,000.
History
Mumbai's Suburban Railway 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 areas around the suburban railway stations are the most congested in the city. The problem is further aggravated by the presence of hawkers and parked vehicles, making the commute hazardous for pedestrians. The skyways were constructed to reduce risk to pedestrians.
MMRDA planned to build 50 skywalks in the first phase, ranging from 1 to 2 miles in length. The first 18 skywalks were to be built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). 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 . 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. As of 2024, both Bandra east and Bandra West skywalks have been demolished.
MMRDA recovered some of the cost of maintenance through the sale of advertising space on the walkways.
Skywalks
There are currently 37 skywalks in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
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) 85015Dombivli (W)16Dombivli (E) 17 Goregaon (W) 625 18 Ghatkopar (W) 315 19 Grant Road 650 20 Kalyan (E) 637 21 Kalyan (W) 1287 22 Kandivali (E) 1025 23 Kanjurmarg (E) 222 24 Mira Road (E) 525 25 Santacruz (E) 685 26 Santacruz (W) 438 27 Sion 1041 28 Thane (E) 135029Thane (W) 30 Ulhasnagar (E) 445 31 Ulhasnagar (W) 890 32 Vasai Road (W) 615 33 Vidyavihar (E) 191 34 Vidyavihar (W) 149 35 Vikhroli (W) 440 36 Vile Parle (W) 460 37 Virar (E) 285 38 Virar (W) 630 39 Wadala 750 40 Kharghar 1780
References 8. Siddha Sky – Located at Wadala, Mumbai, having longest rooftop skywalk.