Heemanish Midde

Market Research Project

UTILITY ANALYSIS OF THE SKYWALK AT BANDRA (E)

Prof. Macario Fernandes

Project By

220 Heemanish Midde

MMS 2007 - 2009

October 23, 2008

Xavier Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai Mumbai University

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude to my guide Prof. Macario Fernandes for his able guidance, continuous support and cooperation throughout my project, without which the project would not have been possible.

I also like to thank Mr. Rahul Rana for his assistance in filling up the questionnaires.

Not forgetting Prof. Mahulikar for sharing his knowledge on SPSS without which the analysis of the data would have been difficult.

Last but not the least, all the commuters who spent their precious time in filling up the questionnaires which formed the base of this research. Also thanks to all the journalist (Newspapers) and websites to cover the news about the Skywalk which formed the secondary data of the research.

- Heemanish Midde

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ever growing population of Mumbai is putting lots of pressure on the existing infrastructure especially on the transportation segment. Traffic snarls are common in Mumbai and the rights of pedestrians is often breached by the vehicle owners and hawkers, who have encroached the footpath. Mumbai suburbs such as Dadar, Bandra, Andheri and Borivali are marked with congestion problem mainly near the station area. The station area is marked with chaos as the commuters both entering and exiting the station premises make a beeline which the existing bridges and entry/exit points cannot handle. Moving / parked vehicles outside the station and hawkers selling their wares add to this congestion and the ultimate result is lack of leg space for people to move.

Transport interchange activities, passenger transfer between trains, buses, taxies & Private vehicles make the station area most congested. The problem aggravates with the road side hawking and vehicular parking. The Sky walk is an elevated walk way dedicated to the pedestrians connecting the railway Station, high concentration commercial area and destination points where the concentration of pedestrians prevail. The purpose of the sky walks is for efficient dispersal of commuters from station/congested area to strategic locations viz. bus stops, taxi stands, shopping areas, off roads etc. and vice versa. This would help decongest the crowded streets.

The purpose of the study is to find whether potential commuters use the skywalk or not and if no, then the reasons behind it, and thereafter identifying feasible solutions on how they can use it.

There are 48 skywalks lined up in Mumbai i.e. around Rs.560 crore at stake. This research will give them a lead on whether to go ahead with those projects or modify few aspects that may benefit the commuters. This, in turn will lead MMRDA to achieve their basic objective of reducing the congestion on roads and footpaths.

The Objective of the study, firstly, is to find if there was a need of the skywalk at Bandra and thereafter to identify whether the potential commuters are using the skywalk or not. If not, then identify the reasons and suggest a solution for the same.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement Executive Summary 2 3

1. Background 1.1 Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme 1.2 About the Skywalk 1.3 Project Facts 1.4 Future Skywalk Projects

5 7 8 10 11

2. Research Objectives 2.1 Problem Definition 2.2 Purpose of Study 2.3 Scope of Study 2.4 Research Objective

12 12 12 12 13

3. Research Methodology 3.1 Research Design 3.2 Data Collection 3.3 Sample Universe

14 14 14 14

4. Findings and Analysis 4.1 Findings 4.2 Analysis

15 15 20

5. Conclusion 6. Recommendation

21 22

Questionnaire Annexure Newspaper/Online Clips Comments Pictures of the Bandra Skywalk

23 25 25 40 47 4

1 BACKGROUND
The ever growing population of Mumbai is putting lots of pressure on the existing infrastructure especially on the transportation segment. Traffic snarls are common in Mumbai and the rights of pedestrians is often breached by the vehicle owners and hawkers, who have encroached the footpath. Mumbai suburbs such as Dadar, Bandra, Andheri and Borivali are marked with congestion problem mainly near the station area. The station area is marked with chaos as the commuters both entering and exiting the station premises make a beeline which the existing bridges and entry/exit points cannot handle. Moving / parked vehicles outside the station and hawkers selling their wares add to this congestion and the ultimate result is lack of leg space for people to move.

Transport interchange activities, passenger transfer between trains, buses, taxies & Private vehicles make the station area most congested. The problem aggravates with the road side hawking and vehicular parking. The Sky walk is an elevated walk way dedicated to the pedestrians connecting the railway Station, high concentration commercial area and destination points where the concentration of pedestrians prevail. The purpose of the sky walks is for efficient dispersal of commuters from station/congested area to strategic locations viz. bus stops, taxi stands, shopping areas, off roads etc. and vice versa. This would help decongest the crowded streets.

Planning MMRDA has already planned construction of 50 Sky-Walks in and around Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Cost Estimates Total estimated cost is about Rs.600 crore.

Implementing Agencies Out of 50 skywalks proposed to be constructed, construction of 18 numbers will be under taken by MSRDC.

Before finalizing detailed project report i.e. before preparing GAD; local people, corporators, MLAs, MPs from that area are being contacted to understand their views/ suggestions/concurrence etc. PMC for these works have been finalized and they are asked to coordinate with other concerned depts. Like MCGM, Railways etc.

The alignment and designs Dispersal/entry points at strategic locations Under ground utilities and minimum number of structures affected Available road widths Proximity of adjacent buildings No. of trees, large and small size, getting affected Provision of shops on the sky walk, if any, on one side or both the sides or on upper deck with a view to provide easy pedestrian movement Speed of construction Commuter safety Operation & maintenance, etc.

Present Status Project Management Consultants (PMC) for project preparation, designing and supervision work is finalized by MMRDA.

First skywalk from Bandra Station to Kalanagar Junction has been already completed, inaugurated by the Honble Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on June 24 , 2008 and immediately opened for public use after inauguration.
th

Tenders for 2 skywalks have been finalized and work is expected to start shortly.

The actual construction of balance skywalks is planned to start from October 2008 and is targeted to be completed within a time period of 6 months.

MSRDC has also finalized GADs for three skywalks and tenders for the same will be invited shortly. For balance sky walks, PMCs will be finalized very soon.

After approval to the above further formalities will be completed like appointment of consultant etc.

1.1 Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS)

Bandra is one of the major suburban stations in Mumbai. More than thousand suburban trains operation take place every day with about 5 lacks commuters traveling through this station. Out of this 39% commuters approach the station by walk while 32% by bus 16% by Auto and 13% by other modes. The percentage to the station is nearly equal on the East and West.

The factors which are contributing to more commuter traffic on the eastern side is due to the existence of Bandra Kurla Complex - one of the largest office space complex in Mumbai and the other factor is the location of Bandra Kurla Railway Terminus on the eastern side, which sees both inbound and outbound commuter traffic.

Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) is one such project formulated by MMRDA for Bandra suburb of Mumbai. Bandra SATIS project is high on the agenda of the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project, which aims to improve road network and provide effective traffic dispersal system in Greater Mumbai. The recently commissioned Bandra Skywalk is one such project, which is part of Bandra SATIS.

The considering the Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme has been included in the priority works under MUIP master plan. After considering several alternatives it is decided to develop Skywalks from Bandra (E) to Kalanagar and Bandra (W) to Hill road and Mohd. Raffi Chowk on priority. Skywalk from Bandra (E) to Kalanagar has been taken up for implementation as pilot project

The Skywalk Project was conceived according high priority to the pedestrians. The project is planned in two phases. Phase-I is recently commissioned, which comprised of constructing a skywalk from Bandra Station (East) to Kalanagar. Phase-II envisages the construction of a skywalk on the western side from Bandra Bada Masjid to Bandra Talav, Bandra Station to Mohd Rafi chowk.To give you a first hand information about the project, find below views of Ashok Khade, Director, Das Offshore Engineering Pvt Ltd, who are the contractors for the Bandra Skywalk Project - Phase I.

1.2 About the Skywalk

General features of the Skywalk The Skywalk between Bandra Station from (Existing Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar has been planned to serve the commuter traffic between BKC and the station.) The work has including construction of Skywalk from Bandra suburban railway Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar Adms.1300 m. long and 4 m. clear walk way and 4 staircase at various locations. The Skywalk is supported on pile foundations, pile cap and structural steel columns/piers. Superstructure is of structural steel truss, pre-cast slab panels as deck slab with flooring of approved tiles. Walkway Project included covering structure with 16mm thick multi wall Polycarbonate sheets for weather protection to the pedestrian. The integration arrangements with the railway Foot Over Bridge are being finalized in consultation with railways including provision for ticket counter, if required by railway.

Integration array (Kalanagar end): Staircases are proposed on either side of Sion - Dharavi Link Road to integrate with existing BEST Bus Stops.

Project Status The Bids were invited on 15th August, 2007 and the Contractor for the same M/s. Das Offshore Engineering Pvt. ltd. has been appointed for the Total cost of Rs. 13.63 Cr. The Letter of Acceptance to the contractor has been forwarded on 29th November, 2007 and the construction for the project has been initiated from 14th December, 2007. The Project is likely to get completed by Middle of March, 2008.

Role of Das Offshore in this project Our Company was responsible for Engineering, Procurement, Design and Construction of all work and for all details of the work. The work was carried out as per the design prepared by us and approved by MMRDA/PMC.

Challenges faced during execution The site is in the heavily trafficked area. Major work was carried out in the night. The tender did not include any soil data which was collected only after award of work. During the execution of the work number of changes were required to be made in the alignment of the skywalk. Also due to sub soil strata of diversified nature changes were made. This called for execution of additional items/works. The GAD (General Arrangement Drawing) had to undergo a total at 5 revisions in order to suit the changes in the alignment as required by MMRDA and also the site conditions viz. avoiding underground services such as electrical cables, gas lines, storm water drain, etc., As the period given was only 6 months we had to work 24 hours a day.

Material used Pile foundation concrete of M 40 Superstructure & columns structural steel Roofing-polycarbonate

Project Period The contract was awarded to DAS on 27th December 2007 and period of construction was 6 months i.e. by 26th June 2008. We completed the project on 20th June 2008 and it was opened to public on 24th June 2008 by Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Actual status of the project The project is totally completed with only minor punch points to be attended as directed by MMRDA. Submission of final technical documents is in process. The major work pending is provision of staircase near Police Chowky pending for final decision from MMRDA in the light of extension proposed.

Technical maintenance DAS is not responsible for maintenance of the Skywalk. However, we are bound by Defects Notification Period of 24 months.

With the completion of Phase-I, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has scored a point in solving the congestion problem on the eastern side of Bandra. The commuters can now have sigh of relief and is looking forward for Phase-II to start and complete.

1.3 Project Facts

Implementing Agency: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)

Contractor: Das Offshore Engineering Pvt. Ltd, Navi Mumbai

Length / Width: 1.3 km / 4 m

Cost: Rs 13.63 crore

Entry / Exit points (staircases):

Anant Kanekar Road Indian Oil Building Nandadeep Garden Kalanagar Bus Stand

Status: Phase-I completed and inaugurated by Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 24th June, 2008.

Proposed extensions:

Extension to Bandra Terminal Extension upto Kherwadi Junction

Proposed lifts:

Kalanagar Anant Kanekar Road Police Post

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1.4 Future Skywalk Projects

MMRDA has taken up development of 50 sky walk bridges, out of which 18 skywalk bridges are entrusted to MSRDC for implementation. MSRDC has already taken up implementation of 18 skywalk bridges.

The total broad estimated cost of 17 skywalk bridges would be around Rs.125 crore.

Present Status and Schedule: Surveys, investigations, planning, designing and pre-tender activities for construction of Phase-I, skywalks bridges is already in progress. Award of the work for construction of these skywalks bridges is expected by September 2008 so that the work can be started in October 2008. Time limit for the construction would be 6-10 months. It is planned to complete the construction of most of the skywalks bridges by June 09.

*Credits: Sandeep Ravidutt Sharma, Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training

Link: http://www.constructionupdate.com/products/projectsinfo/2008/7-13-july-2008/007.html

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2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

2.1 Problem Definition

Transport interchange activities, passenger transfer between trains, buses, taxies & Private vehicles make the station area most congested. The problem gets worse with the road side hawking and vehicular parking.

The Sky walk is an elevated walk way dedicated to the pedestrians connecting the railway station. It is for efficient dispersal of commuters from station/congested area to strategic locations like bus stops, taxi stands, shopping areas, off roads etc. and vice versa. This would help decongest the crowded streets.

2.2 Purpose of Study

The purpose of the study is to find whether commuters use the skywalk or not.

If no, then the reasons behind it, and thereafter identify solutions on how they can use it.

2.3 Scope of Study

There are 48 skywalks lined up in Mumbai i.e. around Rs.560 crore at stake.

This research will give them a lead on whether to go ahead with those projects or modify few aspects that may benefit the commuters.

This, in turn will lead MMRDA to achieve their basic objective of reducing the congestion on roads and footpaths.

12

2.4 Research Objective

To find if there was a need of the skywalk at Bandra.

To identify whether the potential commuters are using the skywalk or not. If not, then identify the reasons and suggest a solution for the same.

13

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design

Descriptive Research The reason for carrying out this research is to identify the usage of the skywalk and hence infer whether it was worth the investment or not. Studying and analyzing the reasons for using/not using the skywalk for better efficiency.

3.2 Data Collection

Secondary Data: MMRDA Website, Newspaper Clippings, Internet (Blogs Newspaper Magazines)

Primary Data: Questionnaire, Observation

3.3 Sample Universe

Basis of Sampling The sample is homogeneous as the target units are the potential users of the skywalk, i.e. Potential Commuters who travel between Bandra Station (E) and their workplace (probably Bandra Kurla Complex) (24 nos.) People residing at/near the skywalk and hence become potential customers for using it. (8 nos.)

Sampling Technique Stratified Random Probability sampling has to be used, as the sample units are potential users of the skywalk. The stratum consists of people residing or working near the Skywalk. The sample has to be chosen in the without replacement format.

Judgmental Non Probability sampling can be used to select the individual units for better productivity of the questionnaire. A well educated person may be able to reason out the questions in the better way.

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4 FINDINDS AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Findings

Secondary Data: MMRDA Website, Newspaper Clippings Total number of daily commuters: 3 Lakhs (Bandra East)* Commuters who use the skywalk daily: 35,000 Commuters approach to their destination: Walk: 39%* Bus: 32%* Auto: 16%* Other modes: 13%* MMRDA accepted that the footfalls are less than what was expected*

Primary Data: Total Number of Questionnaires filled: 33 (All are potential consumers)

The distribution of the sample population is as follows

Age Group

18 16

Age Group up to 18 years 18 to 25 years 25 to 40 years 40 to 55 years 55 + years

Count 0 18 9 6 0

% 0 54.55 27.27 18.18 0

7 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 18 to 25 years 25 to 40 years 40 to 55 years 11 3 7 3 2 Female Male

* highlighted in the annexures

15

Work/Reside

Work/reside Work Reside

Count 25 8

% 75.8 24.2

24%

Work Reside

76%

Travel Pattern from Bandra Station to their destination:

Travel Method

Travel Method Walk Bus Auto Other Modes

Count 13 8 6 6

% 39.39 24.24 18.18 18.18

6 13 Walk Bus Auto 6 Other Modes 8

We can see that the around 40% of the commuters prefer to walk from Bandra Station to their respective destination. They are the most likely commuters to use the Skywalk.

The bus queue is usually very long; they probably could go for another mode of transport which could be the Skywalk. One has to motivate them to use it.

Auto rickshaws, though they have the sharing auto system, they take the longer route and comparatively charge a higher price.

But, there is lot of congestion because of the autos that block the exit/entrance of the Bandra station.

Other modes of transport include private cars and offices pick up cars and buses.

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Commuters who shop/stop on the way:

Shop/Stop

Shop/Stop Yes No

Count 14 19

% 42.42 57.58
58%

42% Yes No

There is no clear distinction between people who prefer shop on their way and those who dont. Their comments on the hawker in the skywalk are also at the extremes.

Commuters perception on the Skywalk:

Use

15%

Use Useful Useless

Count 28 5

% 84.85 15.15
85%

Useful Useless

Though 85% of the commuters feel that there was a need of the skywalk, i.e. they found the skywalk is a useful concept to them, only 60% of them use it and among them only 18% use it daily.

17

Commuters reasons for their usage/ non usage:

Usage Convenience Fast and safe Other Modes Time Consuming Dont Use Hang out or Evening/Morning walk

Count 14 17 6 6 2 5

% 28 34 12 12 4 10

Usage

Hang out or Evening/Morning walk Dont Use Time Consuming Other Modes Fast and safe Convienience 0 2 4 2

6 6 17 14 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

There are commuters who have positive views on the skywalk and finds that it is a useful concept by the MMRDA but still they have issues like it being time consuming and their preference over other modes of transport.

Few reasons for non usage that came up in the process were No mode of transport from Kalanagar onwards Security Hawkers Thieves Quality Limited Exit Points Dangerous for Kids: Because of the side railings No Entertainment Beggars and Antisocial Elements Time Consuming

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But the basic reasons for non usage that can be inferred through observation are Laziness Resistance to change: One is habituated to its regular time table and their mode of transport.

The alternative usage of the skywalk could be Hangout Smoking: Not Feasible as smoking is banned in public places Hawkers Trolleys: For carrying of goods OOH Walking and Jogging Social Awareness Programs

The expectations from the skywalk are Quality Pollution Free More Benches Cleanliness Entertainment No Hoardings: Not feasible as it is a source of Revenue, also the proportion of commuters who wants ads to be displayed are more Less Congestion More Exit/Entry Points Good Lighting Escalators, Elevators and Conveyer Belt Security No Beggars

Note: the ones in Italics have already been implemented/ taken care of.

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4.2 Analysis

Objective 1: To find if there was a need of the skywalk at Bandra

The ever growing population of Mumbai is putting lots of pressure on the existing infrastructure especially on the transportation segment. Traffic snarls are common in Mumbai and the rights of pedestrians is often breached by the vehicle owners and hawkers, who have encroached the footpath. Mumbai suburbs such as Dadar, Bandra, Andheri and Borivali are marked with congestion problem mainly near the station area. The station area is marked with chaos as the commuters both entering and exiting the station premises make a beeline which the existing bridges and entry/exit points cannot handle. Moving / parked vehicles outside the station and hawkers selling their wares add to this congestion and the ultimate result is lack of leg space for people to move.

Transport interchange activities, passenger transfer between trains, buses, taxies & Private vehicles make the station area most congested. The problem aggravates with the road side hawking and vehicular parking.

Objective 2: To identify whether the potential commuters are using the skywalk or not. If not, then identify the reasons and suggest a solution for the same

It has been stated by the MMRDA, that the footfalls are less than what is expected, which answers the objective pretty clearly. The possible reasons for its non usage are specified in the findings.

But even though commuters are not using it, it is a very good source of revenue from MMRDAs point of view. The investment for the skywalk is Rs13.63 crore and the maintenance contract fetches Rs 79 crore. That is a clear profit of Rs. 65 crore. The MMRDA gave the outdoor advertising and maintenance contract for the skywalk to Reliance ADAG owned Adlabs. This contract will definitely boost the construction of other walkways in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The contract includes construction of elevators at the Kalanagar end of the skywalk, besides construction of toilets, setting up of CCTVs, hiring a private security agency and cleaning the walkway daily. This takes care of few of the problem faced by the commuters.

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5 CONCLUSION

There is a definite need for an alternative mode of transport to reduce the congestion. The skywalk is an excellent alternative for that. It has reduced the congestion and traffic at and near Bandra station* to some extent.

Even though most of the potential commuters are not using it, it has become a good source of revenue by selling the maintenance contract. And the best part is that the maintenance contract carries all the necessary activities that need to be done on a regular basis.

The other skywalks that are coming up have space for hawkers, which will reduce the congestion near the station. Anyways, the hawkers near the station are illegal. This will give them an opportunity to set up their stall legally. It will also motivate commuters who shop form the hawkers to use the skywalk.

The MMRDA should go ahead with the concept because from our perspective there is nothing to lose, but form the MMRDA perspective there are many things to gain.

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6 RECOMMENDATION

There are recommendations that came up in the process of filling the questionnaire, many of which are already implemented or taken care of, few are not feasible and others were fantasy.

Feasible Recommendation: More benches for people who have their morning/ evenings walks and hangouts Dustbins for cleanliness Telephone Booths Trolleys for people to carry goods. Will help people carry goods from the station till their destination, or the auto / bus stand Promote as a convenient and safe alternative mode of transport Space on the skywalk could be used to spread social awareness

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QUESTIONNAIRE
Personal Details

Name: __________________________________________________________ Age Group (yrs): up to 18 Gender: 18 to 25 25 to 40 40 to 55 55 +

Male Female

Email Address: ___________________________________________________

Do you work or

reside at Bandra (E)

Destination: _____________________________________________________

General Questions

1.

How do you travel from Bandra Station to Your destination? Walk Bus Auto Other Mode of transport

2.

Do you shop/stop on your way to/at Bandra station/workplace? Yes Hawkers Retail shops Smoking/ Pan Masala No

3.

What do you think about the Bandra Skywalk? Why? Useful Useless

_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________

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Skywalk

4.

Do you use the new Skywalk? Yes. Why? Convenience Fast and Safe Hanging out Evening/morning walk Other :______________ No. Why? Other mode of transport Only 4 Exit points Time consuming Other :______________

5.

How often do you use it? Daily Alternate days Sometimes Occasionally

6.

You use it

To and fro

or

One way

7.

What do you expect from the skywalk?

_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________

8.

Any problem you face while walking in the skywalk?

_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________

9.

Alternative use of skywalk

_______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________

Thank you very much for your precious time

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ANNEXURES
Newspaper/Online Clips

DNA

Over 1 lakh onlookers used Bandra skywalk

Ninad Siddhaye Wednesday, October 22, 2008 03:32 IST

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) officials have a reason to thank Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

With no buses, auto rickshaws and taxis running from Bandra (east) railway station on Tuesday, the number of commuters using the skywalk went up rapidly.

According to a senior MMRDA official, that on a daily basis, an average numbers of 80,000 commuters uses the skywalk, which was inaugurated in March this year. However, on Tuesday the number went up by nearly 40% and crossed the one lakh mark, the official said.

Many commuters prefer to take an auto or a bus to reach their destination from Bandra station. But since the road from the station up to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) was blocked by MNS activists, almost all commuters used the skywalk, said Dilip Kawathkar, MMRDA spokesperson.

Hundreds of MNS supporters who were waiting outside the Bandra Metropolitan Court also took shelter under the skywalk after they were driven away by the police.

At least the police arent driving us away from here as well, said Sunil Mahulkar, an MNS activist.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1200101

25

DNA

No need for skywalk: Grant Road traders Ninad Siddhaye Thursday, October 02, 2008 03:21 IST

Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authoritys (MMRDA) plan to rehabilitate thousands of hawkers on a number of skywalks has faced opposition. The Grant Road (west) retail traders association, while calling the proposed skywalk unnecessary, has pointed towards a Supreme Court order which prevents hawking around railway stations and on foot-over bridges.

The 650-metre proposed skywalk will connect Grant Road to Nana Chowk. The local association which is a part of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association has written a letter to MMRDA and the chief minister questioning the necessity of a skywalk. The association has referred to a SC verdict in 2003 which bans hawking within 150 metres of any railway station or on foot-over bridges.

Kanti Gada, president of Grant Road West Retail Traders Association said, The station is well connected. The commuters use the Grand Road flyover to go to Nana Chowk. There is an exclusive footpath on the flyover. But pedestrians do not use it. If an existing bridge is not used, why should they build a skywalk?

The skywalk, which will also accommodate 48 shops, is to be built on Nausher Bharucha Road (also known as Slater road). There are about 15-20 buildings in that stretch. Many shopkeepers who are local residents say the skywalk will hamper their business. This road is very narrow. There are three schools here. If the skywalk is constructed, the congestion will increase. This will affect our business. Moreover, many of the buildings will also lose privacy, said Arvind Nishar, office bearer of the association. Viren Shah, president of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, said, We are not against any development, but we oppose the plan to have hawkers.

There are foot-over bridges and rail-over bridges which have been encroached by hawkers, drug peddlers and other anti-social elements. Look at the condition of Dadar Bridge. Does MMRDA want to spread this menace to other areas as well?

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1194931

DNA

MMRDA to count footfalls on skywalk

26

DNA Correspondent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 03:27 IST

Process to extend 1.3-km walkway from Bandra to Kherwadi to begin soon

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning a systematic check on the utilization of its skywalk at Bandra. After modifications, the popularity of the 1.3-km walkway is on the rise, but no specific data is available with the authority which gives an idea of number commuters using it.

We will start a drive in which we will measure the number of commuters using the skywalk every day. MMRDA has made certain modifications in the skywalk.

Additional exits have been provided at Anant Kanekar Marg near the Family court and near ONGC. This has increased the number of users, claimed R Ramana, senior planner at MMRDA.

As the skywalk ends at the Kalanagar junction, many commuters going to the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) have to walk their way inside the complex. According to sources in MMRDA, the authority is in talks with BEST to start ring route buses from the point where the skywalk ends, into BKC. Those commuters who have to reach BKC can take the skywalk and then take the bus to reach their destination in BKC. BEST has given a favorable reply to start the service and asked MMRDA to send a proposal in this regard, a senior MMRDA official said.

Meanwhile, the stretch under the skywalk from Bandra station (east) up to the first exit of Anant Kanekar Marg is still in a mess. Heaps of debris and encroachments along the footpath are making life miserable for the pedestrians. On the other hand, men at work doing welding job on the skywalk inconvenience the pedestrians. We have informed municipal authorities to remove these encroachments. As far as the debris is concerned, it is the responsibility of the contractor to clear the area. said Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director (public relations), MMRDA.

We are in a process of expansion of the skywalk. It will take at least four months for us to extend the walk way up to Kherwadi. We are yet to begin that work. Once that is done, we will clear the debris as well. said Anna Khade, managing director of DAS offshore Engineering, the company which has constructed the skywalk.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1194284

Times of India

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State plans skywalk for fast darshan at Siddhivinayak 25 Sep 2008, 0604 hrs IST, Ashley DMello,TNN

Mumbai: Devotees will now be able to reach Siddhivinayak temple faster. In a development that will cheer devotees thronging the temple at Prabhadevi , the state is planning to build a 1.7 km-long skywalk from Dadar (west) station to the temple.

Senior Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials involved in its planning said that the skywalk will begin at Dadar station, near the Kabotarkhana , and go along S K Bhole Road and on to Prabhadevi . "However, all these plans are tentative,'' said a high-ranking official.

This skywalk will be in addition to the one planned from Dadar station to Chaitayabhoomi at Shivaji Park, he added.

The idea of a Siddhivinayak skywalk came up after numerous requests from city residents for a proper access to the temple. "People can now come by train from different parts of the city and suburbs. They will walk directly to the temple safely instead of walking through traffic,'' the officials stated.

"We have planned the skywalk and will now hold discussions with various groups, including politicians like Eknath Gaikwad, Congress MP from Mumbai North Central and Manohar Joshi of the Shiv Sena,'' said the MMRDA official. "We will listen to the people's suggestions and take them into consideration before we finalise the plans,'' said the official.

When plans for the skywalk to Chaityabhoomi were unveiled a few months ago, concerns were raised by residents and shopkeepers about the route which went through Ranade Road to Shivaji Park.

Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/State_plans_skywalk_for_fast_darshan_at_Siddhivinayak_/ar ticleshow/3524589.cms

Express India

Plan for elevated deck for autos put on hold

SWAPNIL RAWAL Posted: Sep 05, 2008 at 0425 hrs IST

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Mumbai, September 4 Skywalk has provided substantial relief to traffic management, says Metropolitan Commissioner

The proposal to construct an elevated deck to provide parking space for over 100 autorickshaws on the eastern side of Bandra railway station has been put on hold momentarily since the skywalk has eased the congestion.

Planned in mid-2007 to decongest the Bandra station area by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the elevated deck would allow passengers to get into an autorickshaw without getting out of the railway station. To streamline the traffic movement and decongest the road near the station a raised deck for autorickshaws was planned, while buses and other vehicles would ply under it. According to Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, since the skywalk was commissioned in July there has been relief in congestion levels on the eastern side of the station. We will have to review the plan of the auto deck as the skywalk has provided substantial relief to traffic management there, said Gaikwad.

The project was planned to be executed jointly by the MMRDA and the Western Railway (WR) in two phases. In the first phase, WR would extend its foot overbridge (FOB) on the southern end of the station, all the way till the nearby bus stands. MMRDA will construct the elevated deck, along with a ramp, in the second phase.

The east side of Bandra station was jampacked with autorickshaws and buses, which left a little space for pedestrians, but since the exclusive walkway has been constructed things have changed, said a senior planning official of MMRDA. He added that such an expensive proposal could be avoided to be taken forward.

The skywalk provides commuters to walk up to Anant Kanekar Marg and now it is being extended upto Kherwadi junction. Therefore, a traffic management study that would include redefine auto rickshaw parking, bus stops and clearing few encroachments would improve the traffic flow considerable, the planner said.

The traffic management plan would be presented to the Metropolitan Commissioner in a fortnight after which a decision on the deck is expected.

Link:http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Plan-for-elevated-deck-for-autos-put-on-hold/357599/

DNA 29

MMRDA hits jackpot with skywalk Ninad Siddhaye Tuesday, August 19, 2008 04:20 IST

Walkway made for Rs13.63 cr, maintenance contract fetches Rs79 cr

MUMBAI: Barely two months after it was thrown open, the citys first skywalk has brought a windfall for MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority).

On Monday, the MMRDA gave the outdoor advertising and maintenance contract for the skywalk to Reliance ADAG owned Adlabs for a whopping Rs79crore.

Considering the project cost of Rs13.63 crore is around one-sixth of the maintenance contract awarded for 10 years, MMRDA officials know they are on to something big. There are nearly 22 similar skywalks in the pipeline.

Nobody at MMRDA expected the skywalk to fetch such a huge amount. This contract will definitely boost the construction of other walkways in the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region), said metropolitan commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad.

The planning and development agency had invited bids for operation and maintenance of the 1.3-km-long skywalk, which connects Bandra station (east) to Kalanagar junction, in June. The contract includes construction of elevators at the Kalanagar end of the skywalk, besides construction of toilets, setting up of CCTVs (closed circuit cameras), hiring a private security agency and cleaning the walkway daily, said joint project director, MMRDA, Dilip Kawathkar. Nearly 35,000 people use it daily.

Six bidders in the race included Jay Kumar and Pioneer Ltd which quoted Rs51.03 crore, Supreme Advertising and Entertainment Pvt Ltd Rs36.36 crore and Rajdeep Buildcon along with RPPL wanted to maintain the skywalk for Rs15.14 crore for the 10-year tenure. Das Offshore Pvt Ltd, the company which has built the skywalk along with DS Mittal, were disqualified from the bidding process.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1184278

DNA

Dont just skywalk, shop too 30

Shwetaa Karnik Thursday, July 24, 2008 02:58 IST

The second pedestrian skywalk, after the one already operational in Bandra (East), will be completed within six months at Kanjur Marg. Unlike the one at Bandra, the Kanjur Marg one will have space for shops and vendors.

The width of the 222-metre-long skywalk would be seven metres, as against the five metres of width on the Bandra skywalk; in Kanjur Marg, the walkway space available for the pedestrians would be four metres, for vendors three metres and one metre for the shoppers. The estimated cost of the skywalk is Rs5.87 crore.

Over the last five years station areas have emerged as nodal points for retail business. At the same time the concentration of transport interchange activities, passengers hopping from suburban trains to BEST buses or taxis and rickshaws is adding to congestion problems near stations. To combat this, we are building skywalks with shopping plazas across the city, said PRK Murthy, chief of transportation and communication of MMRDA.

Conceived as a part of the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme, MMRDA plans to build 50 skywalks across the city at a cost of Rs600 crore. The project will be executed in collaboration with Central Railways which will extend its existing foot-over-bridge at Vikhroli-end which will be joined with the skywalk to be connected to Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1179426

Midday

October mayhem By: Shashank RaoDate: 25 Jun, 2008 07:13 AM Mumbai: Be prepared: Construction of flyovers at various points in the city is already causing traffic congestion

Now that Mumbai's first skywalk, the 1.8-km stretch at Bandra (E), has officially opened for the public, the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has geared up to launch three major projects across the city. The MMRDA will commence work on the 49 remaining skywalks, along with building two monorails, five lakh houses under the Slum Prevention Programme and 9,000 toilets across the city this October. 31

This will ensure that Mumbaikars have a tough time commuting in the city. Areas like Dadar (Kabutar Khana), Bandra (W), Andheri, Borivli, CST-Churchgate, Parel, Kurla, Kanjurmarg and Chembur will be severely affected as pillars for the 49 skywalks will be erected in these areas.

For the monorail project, a 25-km stretch of roads through Malabar Hill and Bandra Kurla Complex will be dug up to construct single-line pillars. Other areas that will be affected are Chembur, Mahul, Dahisar and Borivli. It costs nearly Rs 75 crore to construct a kilometre of monorail

Ratnakar Gaikwad, MMRDA commissioner said, "All these projects will start from October. We plan to complete them in the next 3 years."

The cost of these projects is a gigantic Rs 3,325 crore.

Areas that will be dug up

Malabar Hill, Bandra, Parel, Dadar, Andheri, Kurla and Chembur

600 crore Total cost of constructing 50 skywalks

1,875 crore Cost of constructing two monorail projects

Link: http://mid-day.com/news/2008/jun/250608MMRDA.htm

Express India

Inaugurated by CM, first skywalk is shaky by evening Express News Service Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 11:01:23

Mumbai, June 24 Hours after the citys first exclusive walkway was inaugurated with much fanfare by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Bandra skywalk was reportedly shaking at the Anant Kanekar Marg junction and was temporarily closed down.

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Confirming the reports, Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said: Vibrations were experienced by pedestrians on the right turn at Anant Kanekar Marg. There is no need to panic as the skywalk is structurally very stable. The structural engineers are attending to it.

The entire skywalk, which is built with around 800 metric tonnes of steel, has been welded together to erect the massive yellow structure. According to Gaikwad, the joints of the steel might have not been welded properly which may have caused the skywalk to shake. The engineers are attending to it and will weld that portion properly, if needed, Gaikwad said.

The 1.3-km skywalk that connects the Bandra railway stations east-side foot overbridges to Kalanagar, passing through Anant Kanekar Marg, D P Road and Nandadeep Garden over the Western Express Highway, is estimated to be used by around 3 lakh pedestrians everyday.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh praised the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authoritys efforts to complete the first of the 50 such skywalks within the stipulated time frame. The visibly delighted Deshmukh during his speech at the inauguration said: Im delighted that the citys first skywalk will facilitate pedestrians in crossing roads. People can also use the skywalk for morning walks or even evening walks, he suggested. Deshmukh also said the MMRDA would finish the remaining 49 skywalks to be constructed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by March 2009.

Meanwhile, the MMRDA will now start work on the extension to this skywalk. This skywalk would be extended to Kherwadi junction along the Anant Kanekar Marg and later, work on an extension from the station end to Bandra Terminus will begin, Gaikwad said. The work on the Kherwadi junction extension is expected to finish in three to four months.

The MMRDA has also proposed to install lifts at Kalanagar Junction and at the Anant Kanekar Marg police chowky.

The lifts would be installed from the revenue generated through advertising which will take about two months, a senior official said on condition of anonymity. Deshmukh asked the MMRDA to restrict the advertisement rights on the skywalk to protect the beauty of the structure.

We are in the tendering process to appoint a security agency and would also install closed-circuit television cameras. Only 40 per cent of the skywalk would be utilised for advertising and its locations would be decided by the MMRDA, Gaikwad said.

Link:http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Inaugurated-by-CM-first-skywalk-is-shaky-byevening/327115/ 33

The Times of India

Mumbai gets its first skywalk 25 Jun 2008, 0434 hrs IST,TNN

MUMBAI: A brisk gait and furtive glances at their watches made a group of office-goers seem like they were participating in a marathon as they walked across the city's first skywalk, which was inaugurated by the chief minister on Tuesday morning. They were in fact clocking the time it took to walk from the BandraKurla Complex end of the 1.3-km-long skywalk to Bandra railway station.

Office-goers and students darted across the skywalk, barely sparing a moment for the breathtaking view or the fresh garlands strung across the yellow bars, in an indication of why Mumbai is known as the city that's "always on the run".

If convenience was what some like Shikha Parmeshwaran and her colleague were exploring along the route, others were drawn there out of sheer curiosity. Children from the sprawling slums nearby stood around in groups excitedly pointing out their houses from above.

"It's great, as one doesn't have to walk through the muck and traffic. But as of now, the stretch seems too long. It will benefit us if officials build a staircase closer to our office," said Parmeshwaran, who works in an oil company nearby.

The levelled stretch of the walkway is in stark contrast to the potholed, traffic-clogged roads below and teeming with hutments on both the sides. Many however, pointed to the need for a security patrol on the skywalk to prevent encroachments.

A group of college students was also among those those who tried out the skywalk on Tuesday. "We're just trying it out," said Manali Sakpal, a student of Hire architectural college. But school students like Danish Sheikh and Naushad Khan said they had made up their mind to use the structure regularly.

"I am basically a walker and concepts like are always welcome," said businessmen K Kumar who visits clients at BKC twice a week.

Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mumbai/Mumbai_gets_its_first_skywalk/articleshow/3161970.c ms 34

Midday

Mumbai to show the world how to walk By: Shashank Rao Date: 2008-07-16 Mumbai:

Connecting people: Over 2,000 commuters use the city's first skywalk to walk from Bandra Railway station to Kalanagar.

Barely a month after the city's first skywalk opened for public, the Ministry of Urban Development is so impressed by the success of the Bandra skywalk that it plans to promote the concept overseas.

The department has requested Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to submit all the details pertaining to the skywalk, including its plan, design, photographs and minute details, which it plans to promote at international conferences and meetings.

The Ministry would be promoting the idea behind Mumbai's first skywalk, rather than giving official letters at international conferences. S K Lohia, director, Urban Transport Division from the ministry, said, "We will showcase the skywalk at international forums and conferences. The Indore Bus Model became a success in other countries after we promoted it in similar fashion." There are nearly 13 international forums on infrastructure that take place every year.

More skywalks

In the meantime, the Ministry is also spreading the word among other states, to construct similar skywalks at busy junctions. "The national urban transport policy takes care of modes of transport, but doesn't give much impetus to pedestrian walkways," said another MMRDA official.

P R SK Murthy, chief of Transport and Communication, MMRDA said, "The Ministry of Urban Development has appreciated the skywalk, and wants to endorse it in the international arena. We are in the middle of submitting the required details asked by them."

MMRDA officials accepted that the footfalls on skywalks are less than expected. "We are glad that at least 2,000 people take the skywalk during peak hours. Mumbaikars don't have the habit of walking even a kilometre," said a senior MMRDA official.

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Link: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/jul/160708skywalk.htm

Mumbai Mirror

CST-Churchgate skywalk to be ready by 2009

Posted On Monday, June 02, 2008

Mumbai: Walking through roads dotted with hawkers will soon be a thing of the past for Mumbai pedestrians as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has planned to construct a 1.5-kmlong skywalk between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Churchgate stations.

The pedestrian skywalk from CST to Churchgate has received permission from the environment and archaeology departments, Minister of Public Works Department Anil Deshmukh said.

Anil Deshmukh, Minister of Public Works Department, said the work for the skywalk will start after monsoon

The work for the skywalks will start after monsoon and the surveys, investigations, planning, designing and pre-tendering activities for the construction are in progress. The MSRDC expects to complete the project by June next year, he added.

As per the plan, the skywalk starts at canon shop near CST subway and goes to MTNL, VSNL then ends at subway of Churchgate station.

This skywalk will have an elevator to climb and a broad walkway for comfortable walking. The minister said the skywalk will not have single hawker and security will be provided to pedestrians.

Deshmukh said the skywalk would have few shops, toilets and public phone booths but wont create any hurdle for people. The skywalk would be closed in the night and open in the morning to avoid any misuse.

A polycarbonate roofing would be provided for weather protection. It is planned to keep the sides of the skywalks partially open or transparent so the inside of the walkway is visible from surrounding areas.

Along with this, 16 other skywalks at various railway stations and one subway at CST to GPO have also been announced by the MSRDC. In phase I, the skywalks will be built at Nalasopara(W), Vasai Road(W), Ambernath(W), Goregaon(W), Kandivali(E), Vile Parle(W),Lower Parel(E), Masjit(W). 36

The cost of the entire project is estimated to be Rs 225 crore and the MMRDA is the main funding agency for the project. The MSRDC had conducted a pre-feasibility survey in 2005 about the need of skywalks and 50 places were identified.

Link: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=200806022008060 2033332476616847b4&pageno=1

The Times of India

MMRDA gets nod for skywalks 5 Feb 2008, 0046 hrs IST,TNN

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has got the go-ahead from Central Railway (CR) for single-window clearance for the Rs 600-crore skywalk project in the city.

MMRDA chief Ratnakar Gaikwad had a talk with CR general manager Soumiya Raghavan about creating a single-window clearance to speed up the projects. Over 50 skywalks are planned for the city.

Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mumbai/MMRDA_gets_nod_for_skywalks/articleshow/2756976 .cms

DNA

BKC-Bandra skywalk project Chittaranjan Tembhekar Tuesday, October 16, 2007 05:18 IST

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Monday approved the Rs9.55 crore tender to construct the first-ever skywalk in Mumbai.

The skywalk will connect Bandra station (East) and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) via Kalanagar. Construction will begin by November 5, said Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad.

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The two-km skywalk will be commissioned before March 2008. It would have a staircase at BKC and near Mhada office at Kalanagar. The skywalk would run parallel to Anant Kanekar Marg and will approach Western Express highway via ONGC.

It will be four-meters wide and six-meters above the ground. Lifts for handicapped have been planned, said PRK Murthy, MMRDA chief for transport and communication.

Another skywalk from Bandra station (West) to Turner Road via Hill Road will be constructed within a year. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had approved the Rs600 crore project to construct skywalks at 20 stations last month. The project will be implemented over the next three years.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1127886

Express India

After Bandra, Kandivli may have skywalk too Swapnil Rawal Posted: Oct 05, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST

Mumbai, October 04 AFTER the Bandra skywalk, which will be taken up on a pilot basis to ease pedestrian congestion near the railway station, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is looking to build similar facilities on the eastern face of the Kandivli station. The MMRDA, which is proposing 100 km of skywalks across the city at a cost of Rs 600 crore, believes there is a dire need for an exclusive skywalk as there is a huge number of pedestrians who need to walk from the eastern side of the Kandivli railway station to the Western Express Highway.

Everyday, thousands of pedestrians walk up to the highway or use autorickshaws and other private vehicles, an MMRDA official said. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), he said, has carried out a survey on the station area and its finding confirm this need, he added.

Late last month, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh approved various projects aimed at improving basic city infrastructure including the skywalks after a meeting with officials of MMRDA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad said even as the MMRDA is focused on the Bandra skywalk, it is also interested in building skywalks in south Mumbai. We are interested in a skywalk from Chhatrapati

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Shivaji Terminus to Gateway of India and from CST to Churchgate and back, subject to a nod from the heritage committee, Gaikwad said.

The other stations to be decongested on priority will be those under the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS), a part of the showcase Mumbai Urban Transport Project. Our priority is Bandra skywalk so that Mumbaiites will come to know the impact of a skywalk. Separate consultants will be appointed study and shortlist 15 other congested stations, he added.

Referring to the MSRDC survey on congested station areas, Gaikwad said he had gone through it but it was not on a massive scale.

Two skywalks have been proposed at Bandra for those exiting crowded Bandra station: one that leads to Hill Road over S V Road and another one on the east to the Bandra Kurla Complex. The MMRDA will soon invite tenders for the project.

Link: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/after-bandra-kandivli-may-have-skywalk-too/224493/

Zeenews.com

MSRDC to start feasibility study for skywalks

Mumbai, Feb 24: Maharashtra state road development corporation (MSRDC) would undertake a prefeasibility study for the skywalks at nine suburban railway stations in the metropolis.

According to experts skywalk is the best alternative for thousands of commuters using the suburban train services who face congestion problems while using the bridge and come out of the station.

Skywalks can give the commuters easy access from stations to the adjoining roads.

Of the 50 skywalks to come up in the metropolis at a cost of rs 600 crore, mumbai metropolitan region development authority (MMRDA), which has proposed the skywalks, will build the structures near 21 suburban stations.

The MMRDA, in turn, has asked the MSRDC to get to work at nine stations - Nalasopara, Vasai Road, Ambernath, Goregaon, Vile Parle and Kandivili in the western railway zone and Masjid Bunder and Lower Parel in the Central Railway zone, a senior MSRDC official told a news agency.

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MSRDC has done pre-feasibility study on skywalk in 2005, which suggests the need for it in the city. The study was conducted by Frishman-Prabhu named elevated pedestrian walking pre-feasibility study. The study had identified 18 railway stations, where skywalks are required, said a senior official.

Link: http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=426379&sid=REG

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Comments

Marathikatta.com

The skywalk is here, but...Will you use it?

It cost Rs 10 crore to build. But when Shashank Rao took a walk down the Bandra skywalk, which will finally open on June 26, he came away wondering why anyone would use it.

Mumbais first skywalk from Bandra station (east) to Kalanagar will open to the public on June 26. But this reporter found several reasons why Mumbaikars wouldnt opt for the Rs 10-crore skywalk

Transport

Currently, people catch an auto or bus from Bandra station to reach BKC. Getting public transport will become difficult if they use the skywalk and come out at Kalanagar. The buses are already packed when they reach the Kalanagar stop. It is also rare to see an empty auto in the area. A transport expert feels commuters will be discouraged from using the skywalk unless there is better public transport at Kalanagar.

Comments I feel in future, there should be something which should be called as "Skyride".from Virar To churchagte. so that people travelling by virar trains can take their bikes and cycle to their offices rather than travelling by such horrible & crowded trains. atleast their travelling can be 80% safer.

I will never use bandra skywalk just because its too long, I believe its built for hawkers.

The theory was good, perhaps the execution was not proper.. ?

Maybe MMRDA should rebrand the skywalks as Joggers Road or something.. maybe if Navalkar Sir was alive he would have liked them to be called Nana-Nani walks and reserved for old people and children only :-)

Anyway by the end of the monsoon i think BMC will have claimed that these sky-walks are the worlds first 'Anti-flooding roads'

Link: http://www.marathikatta.com/General/the-skywalk-is-here-but-will-you-use-it/

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Mumbaipluses.com

Do you agree that the suburban railway stations need a skywalk to facilitate commuting?

Posted On Saturday, April 26, 2008

Suburban residents as well as regular commuters realise the need of skywalks at railway stations and feel that they would be immensely benefited if this facility is made available at the earliest

I believe that the suburban roads are congested and the lack of physical infrastructure here makes the need for skywalks evident.

The roads in Kalyan and Dombivli are always crowded and the scene is worse during peak hours. The congestion here is largely due to the presence of hawkers on the roads where a huge number of residents shop. Moving through this crowd takes a lot of time and commuters miss their trains (during the morning peak hours). Skywalks would definitely facilitate faster movement of pedestrians, especially those who do not want to shop. Sriram Iyer,Via email

The proposed skywalk will help eliminate a lot of problems that are faced by regular commuters in Kalyan station. Taking into account the huge population of the suburb this skywalk should be made functional as soon as possible. Hetal Thakkar,Via email

Residents of Kalyan are facing the huge problem of traffic congestion with auto, bus and horse buggies on the roads. To overcome this problem, a skywalk is very much needed in Kalyan as the suburb is growing day by day and the population is also increasing tremendously. We thank DK Plus for inviting views on such problems as our corporators are not travelling daily by this road and they won't be aware of this problem till next election. Sudhkar Parab,Kalyan West

I read the article on the proposed skywalk at the Kalyan Railway station aimed at decongesting the areas outside the station premises. I am happy that the authorities have finally woken up to the problems that the commuters face. Considering the fact that Kalyan is a major railway junction, the facilities were largely insufficient and this step was long overdue.

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I am glad that DK Plus published this information for the general public and has given all the appropriate facts and figures. However, I feel that the skywalk should be extended to Kalyan East also and the project should be implemented at the earliest. C K Balkrishnan, Secretary, Kalyan Railway Passengers Association

Link: http://www.mumbaipluses.com/DombivaliKalyanplus/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=7&contentid=2008 042620080425155549549b6584eca&sectxslt=&comments=true&pageno=1

DNA

The Americanisation of Indian life Neeta Kolhatkar Friday, September 12, 2008 21:38 IST

It's time for Mumbai's public transport commuters and walkers to revolt

After the construction of the skywalk in Bandra was completed, the civic authorities patted themselves on their backs and citizens were elated. Finally, they had a walkway above the dirt, hawkers, encroachments and the slums that seemed to be growing on a daily basis. One walks above mortals and the lakhs of vehicles that ply the Western Express Highway.

Yes, I felt compelled to walk through it twice: Once for the sheer experience and the second time to reach the MHADA offices. The experience was worth it. But I have a grouse, why am I being forced to walk above the city's roads when I have a rightful claim to walk on them?

As a walker, I no more have any space on the ground in this Mumbai city, which is also mine, by the way. I have NO right to walk on its roads and pavements. The mentality and the policies, all favour vehicleowners. In order to accommodate me and my type - ordinary commuters - new skywalks are being planned. Wah! So am I to feel elated?

But wait, if this was being made for us 'walkers' why is the skywalk not open 24x7? Because the authorities allege that the Behram Pada residents (sorry, slum-dwellers) began sleeping on the skywalk. So the skywalk too has limited usage time!

Now I have observed that the roads and pavements that were ours - the walkers - are no longer meant to be used by us. Has anyone noticed how we are copying the American model of urbanisation and development? 43

I am strongly opposed to this, because it encourages consumerism, individualism and does NOT promote public use of infrastructure for the ordinary and the poor. These are NOT my claims. This has been documented by many writers, including my favourite, Bill Bryson.

Roads were conceptualised and built by human beings for themselves. Then, with engineering came pavements. Meanwhile, the Americans built the most modern and cheap cars, and some most luxurious and obscenely priced ones too.

However, the rest of the developed world encouraged their city planners to develop better pavements, gave decent pedestrian crossings, and the British introduced the public transport system, which we developing nations copied.

In America, the public transport system simply collapsed, and in many places it never took off at all. The Americans built their roads for their cars and vehicles. So the then came up with skywalks, foot-over bridges, and subways, whereby the people who did use the limited public transport would drive their cars up to a point, get out and walk straight into the subway or onto the skywalk and get into a Metro.

Earlier the roads in India were always built for walkers. We always had a huge chunk of population that lived below the poverty line. Like a prized possession, the car would be preserved and used only for 'special' occasions. Hence, the roads had NO dividers. The Zebra crossings were clear and demarcated.

Subways and skywalks did not exist. Now the roads in America of course are huge, and twice the width of ours. We are copying this model to the last detail. Now we have pavements that are too high to climb, road dividers that prevent me from crossing the road, and Zebra crossings that have been erased.

Slowly, the hawkers began claiming territory. Then we experienced the automobile boom:

More

affordable cars. Along with this came the economic boom, India shone, with more and more of the middle class moving to the upper end of the economic spectrum. So we got more rich people, hungry for more cars with rear-ends resembling that of a hippopotamus or rhinoceros.

Slowly the commuter profile too underwent a change. But the number of commuters has increased manifold, which the demographic planners and city planners simply forgot.

So we did get subways, but NO law that prevents hawkers from cooking in them. One doesn't need a terrorist to plant an explosive inside a subway at CST or Churchgate. Worse still, there is no security at the Haji Ali subway, while the super mod Metro subway closes after 9.30pm.

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The sizes of dividers have increased. They also are designed to prevent commuters jumping over them. The crossings either do not exist, or are at far ends of roads. For example, there was a crossing outside the main entrance of Churchgate, which the traffic, railways and civic authorities simply sealed. They are oblivious to the fact that there are many bus stops there, a huge entrance and mass of humans pass that path on a daily basis.

First we got thigh high concrete dividers, which were broken, so they were replaced with iron grills, now sturdier and higher metal dividers have been put up.

I support the commuters who have pulled down these dividers. Yes, a revolt of sorts is necessary when the authorities use force to prevent people from doing things normally. It is the right of a person to walk on the road. It is the right of a human being to use the pavement. Instead of making the pavements clear for walking, they beautify it and make mini-gardens in the middle, again obstructing walkers.

A walker is an integral part of this city, its growth, and buzz. Many businesses thrive around the stations and the city because of its commuters. k_neeta@dnaindia.net

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1189685&pageid=0

Desicritics.org

The Bandra Skywalk - Skywalking to Stay Fit and Healthy July 26, 2008 Rajen Nair

When I first heard the news of the completion of the Bandra skywalk project linking Bandra station to Bandra kurla complex (BKC), I had a longing to walk on it. The opportunity came up this week, a month after it was open to the pedestrians.

The Bandra Skywalk is the first project to have been completed among the many such skywalk projects coming up all over Mumbai. It was built by the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority) at an estimated cost of Rs 13.63 crore. The Bandra Skywalk is built 6 metres above ground level and is 4 metres wide. It is a 1.3 Km long stretch running parallel to the Slums near Bandra station, the Indian oil office and above the Western Express highway.

The entry and exit point is the Bandra station and BKC.

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The idea of building skywalks is for quick thinning out of commuters from congested places like Railway stations, Bus stops, Taxi stands and shopping areas and off the roads which would help decongest the crowded areas.

In the past, people had to depend on the State-owned BEST buses for going from Bandra station to BKC. The long serpentine line at the bus stand for boarding the bus was a sheer waste of time. The Rickshaws had absolute monopoly on this route, taking one for a ride, choosing longer routes and fleecing the passengers. Now that the skywalk is in place, the commuters would be largely benefited.

The good news is that MMRDA is undertaking 50 such Skywalk projects in and round Mumbai at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore.

I am a tireless walker who covers a minimum of 2 to 3 Km daily stretch on the Mumbai footpath. I avoid boarding the BEST bus by skipping 3 to 5 bus stops. Whenever I visit my bank at Dadar, I walk up to Matunga which is about 2.5 km. Being at Matunga, not having hot filter coffee at the Udipi Hotel is akin to a religious person missing a visit to the local temple. When I visit the town, I cover the whole stretch from VT to Colaba by foot, I know it is daunting task and at the end of the day it drains you of whatever energy is left but the sheer exhilarating experience of walking is too tempting for me.

As a photographer, walking on the streets gives me more photo-opportunities. The positive side of walking is that it helps keeps me fit and healthy and avoid falling sick thus I save on medical bills which is a costly affair in city of Mumbai.

I avoid taking my vehicle except for going long distances with my family. When I look at people, especially the car owners and motorists using vehicles even if they have to walk to the next door grocery shop, I think they are doing a disservice to their health. Sadly we have not cultivated the habit of walking to the nextgen. I see many of the college-going guys reluctant to walk. There is no substitute to walking as one of the best antidote to stay fit and healthy.

The Skywalk has many advantage in terms of saving time and money. At the same time, in todays bustling life of Mumbai it would give an opportunity to many who has no time to exercise and can sky walk. With many more such skywalks being built in Mumbai, I hope urban people would imbibe the culture of walking, like in the villages. The next time you skywalk think of the therapeutic services it does to your health in making you stay fit and healthy.

Link: http://desicritics.org/2008/07/26/022419.php

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Currently, people catch an auto or bus from Bandra station to reach BKC. Getting public transport will become difficult if they use the skywalk and come out at Kalanagar. The buses are already packed when they reach the Kalanagar stop. It is also rare to see an empty auto in the area. A transport expert feels commuters will be discouraged from using the skywalk unless there is better public transport at Kalanagar.

Anonymous

Hello Bandra, try the skywalk Tuesday, June 24, 2008 22:29 IST

The futuristic Bandra East skyway is an escape route for harassed pedestrians who had to fight crowds, traffic and hawkers on their daily walk to and from the station. Brinda Majithia and Ravish Khapra were there at its inauguration for early feedback from skywalkers

More exit points, please Organisations like Indian Oil, ONGC, and HDIL are situated along the skywalk's route. Some of us who work in these organisations had started a campaign for alternate exits to these office complexes. It is a waste for us to walk the whole way on the skywalk and then do the distance back. As it is now, the skywalk would benefit only those who need to go to Kalanagar. As a concept, the skywalk seems a great idea. But I hope it will be well lit in the nights so that women commuters can walk confidently and without fear. And hawkers would be a bad idea here. Dilip Agashe

A pleasurable walk The skywalk is a great idea, particularly during the monsoons. It will save us the miserable walk through the puddles and the squalor surrounding the station. It also means bypassing the traffic and crowds in the area. I travel every day down this route because I work in an IT organisation at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). I definitely intend to use the skywalk daily. For those who work in the interior of BKC it means a long walk from Kalanagar. It would help a lot of people if the skywalk was to be extended in the direction of the highway. Vasant Rathod

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1173330\

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Pictures of the Bandra Skywalk

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THANK YOU

*****
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