What happened to your own assurance that a new skywalk would be constructed within 15 months to solve the traffic congestion outside Bandra (East) railway station? Why is the construction of this skywalk still incomplete despite assurances?
The High Court on Wednesday asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration these questions. Also, the court gave the BMC one last chance to clarify its position regarding the delay, asking why contempt action should not be taken against the civic body for not keeping its word.
The court had ordered that the construction of the skywalk from Bandra Station (East) to Kalanagar should be completed within 15 months. Subsequently, the BMC had assured the court in August 2024 that the work on the skywalk had been started and would be completed within 15 months from the date of commencement of the work.
Taking cognizance of this, the court had disposed of the petition in this regard. However, claiming that the skywalk is incomplete even after the promised period has passed, lawyer K. P. P. Nair has approached the High Court and filed a contempt petition.
Nair's petition was heard on Wednesday, August 21 before a bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Manjusha Deshpande. The BMC has not fulfilled the assurance given in the court at that time. Nair pointed out to the court that even after almost 19 months, only the pillars of the skywalk have been constructed. He also submitted some photographs in support of his claim.
Taking note of this, the court asked the municipal corporation's lawyers about the contractor of this skywalk. However, the court expressed displeasure when no reply was given. Also, why should contempt action not be taken against you when the municipal administration is not fulfilling the guarantee it has given itself? The court asked the municipal corporation.
Similarly, the court adjourned the hearing of the case until Monday, giving a final opportunity to present its position regarding the delay in the construction of the skywalk.
Nair had demanded in the High Court that the skywalk be rebuilt from Bandra Station (East) to the road leading to Kalanagar and the MHADA office. Thousands of citizens commute in this direction every day. There is only one footpath outside Bandra railway station and many accidents occur on this route due to constant traffic and the crowd of rickshaws and other vehicles, he claimed in the petition.
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On the other hand, this skywalk, known as the first skywalk in Mumbai, was built by the MMRDA in 2008-2009 to avoid congestion. Later, it was transferred to the civic body. However, it was demolished in 2019 when it was found that the skywalk was unsafe.
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