Mumbai: BMC invites the tender to appoint contractors to destroy and rebuild the Skywalk Bandra (Timur) station to Bandra Court – at a cost of Rs 16.20 Crore.
Structural audit conducted by Veermata Jijabai Technology Institute (VJTI) before the pandemic recommends repairs.
However, civilian civilians said they chose to carry out complete reconstruction because the condition of the skywalk had deteriorated.
For now, only the portion between the station to the proposed Bandra Court was destroyed and rebuilt.
The last date for bidding was September 13.
The skywalk that passes Western Express Highway will be destroyed to make a road for the 714 meter flyover arm that will land in the bandra-kurla complex and save the driver on the Kalanagar signal.
BMC has set a target of 18 months, including monson months, for demolition and reconstruction of Skywalk.
Satish Thosar, Chief Engineer The BMC Bridge Department said that Skywalk is currently beyond the public.
“New skywalk will be more or less than the same harmony.
For now, about 300 meters have been proposed to be destroyed and reconstructed,” he said.
The first 1.3 km road, which is resolved as a pilot project, is used by more than 1 lakh people every day.
Skywalk is 4 meters wide, which stands at a height of 20 feet, has been built at a cost of Rs 13.63 Crore in 2008.
In all cities, at least 20 skywalks are scheduled to undergo repairs or demolition and reconstruction.
Following the collapse of the Himalayan Bridge right outside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in March 2019, BMC has appointed VJTI for structural audits of all 24 skywalks, including those in Bandra.
Shiv Sena Corporator from Lokalitas Behrampada in Bandra (Timur), Haji Mohammed Halim Khan, said that congestion outside the train station was very acute because skywalk could help pedestrians.
“Skywalk has been held throughout the pandemic when it is said to have been dangerous for public use.
For pedestrians who move in and out of the train station especially, Skywalk is used to because they can cut throughout the traffic that might have to be navigated and run,” he said.
Mla Zeeshan Siddique said that Skywalk had closed very long.
“Almost as soon as I was elected from the area, Skywalk was closed.
This area is solid.
While other skywalk is needed, BMC must ensure that the same thing is done in a cost-effective way,” he said.