According to a latest update, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that the reconstruction of Mumbai’s first ever skywalk is set to begin soon.
The city’s first ever skywalk was built in Bandra (East) in 2008 for the comfort of pedestrians commuting from railway stations. The skywalk, which was 1.3-kilometre long, had one arm going to Kalanagar via a circuitous route, and another going to the Bandra court via Anant Kanekar Marg (station road).
However, the civic body also clarified that the skywalk rebuilt project will only be part of the original, as only one arm, from Bandra station to Bandra court is to be built.
The skywalk was closed in 2019 after being declared dilapidated. Officials also stated that once the work begins, it is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Later, the BMC appointed Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute (VJTI) to prepare an audit report of the skywalk after shutting it. On January 20, 2020, VJTI submitted a structural audit report, stating the bridge needed major repairs.
Cost of Re-Built
The civic administration, however, decided to rebuild part of it because reconstructing the entire skywalk would cost a whopping amount of INR 50 crores. Additionally, the route to Bandra court had the highest footfall.
As per the proposal sent to the standing committee, the tenders for reconstruction were invited in September 2021. The cost of the project is INR 18.70 crores and the contract period is 18 months including the monsoon.
The cost of its demolition and reconstruction work is pegged at almost INR 19 crores. Moreover, the project cost includes demolition of the entire bridge and reconstruction of one arm, reports mentioned.
Explaining further, BMC official shared that the repairs would have cost around INR 7 crores and would not have increased the life of the skywalk significantly. But rebuilding one route would cost around INR 15 crore and give it life of at least 40 years, said a BMC official.
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