Work held up on Bhandup skywalk

Commuters wrestling their way out of Bhandup station will have to wait a little longer before they can use the skywalk.

Commuters wrestling their way out of Bhandup station will have to wait a little longer before they can use the skywalk.

HT Image

The opening of the skywalk, which was to be completed by December 2010, is likely to be delayed by at least three months.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is building the skywalk, seems to have started the project without getting a clearance from the Central Railways on whose premises a part of the skywalk will be built.

The railways are likely to take three to four months to issue clearance.

The MMRDA has managed to build 230 metre of the 35-metre skywalk but cannot continue because it is yet to get permission from the Central Railway.

MMRDA officials claim that conceptual clearance for the portion of the skywalk, which will meet the railway station, has been received.

“We are waiting for a structural clearance for a portion of the skywalk from the railways,” MMRDA’s Additional Chief Engineer, Anand Kumar Pahal, said.

“It is a matter of public safety and we are getting the project examined,” Central Railways chief Public Relations Officer, Shriniwas Mudgirikar, said.

“We are working with MMRDA on this issue and it will be resolved soon.”

The 630-metre structure, to be built at a cost of Rs 18 crore, was to connect Bhandup station to Tank Road.

After the MMRDA realised that the skywalk would clash with the proposed Ghatkopar-Mulund metro line, it decided not to extend it to Tank Road.

The skywalk will now cover a distance of 350 metre from Bhandup station to Dreams Mall on L.B.S. Marg.