Happy with the success of the Bandra-Kurla complex (BKC) skywalk, the government of Maharashtra has prepared an ambitious plan to construct 50 more at the cost of $150 million (about Rs 650 crore).
However, unlike the BKC skywalk, the state is planning to shift hawkers from roadsides and footpaths near the station to these skywalks. “By removing or shifting hawkers to skywalks, we intend to make footpaths hawker-free.This move would benefit both pedestrians and hawkers. The pedestrian would be able to do their daily shopping from the skywalk itself. The hawkers will also be able to sell their wares successfully,” explained U P S Madan, project manager ‘Mumbai transport support unit’.
At present, there are prominent railway stations where road side hawkers ply in very large numbers. For instance, at Dadar (west), Andheri (west) and Borivali (west), the hawkers are present in large number.
The 50 skywalks will be built near all the prominent sub-urban railway stations, where roadside traffic density is very high.
These stations include, Dadar, Andheri and Borivali in the western suburbs and Kurla, Ghatkoper, Kanjurmarg and Mulund in eastern suburbs. The skywalks will have a total length of 100 km.
“We decided to shift station-side hawkers to skywalks. By doing so, the footpaths will become hawker-free and station side vehicular traffic will get smoother,” said Madan.
The fee structure is likely to be similar. At present, Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) collects some fee from road-side hawkers and they are likely to follow the same business model.
“In this regard, the state will not interfere in the MMC’s business,” added Madan.
Out of 50 skywalks 17 will be built by government-run agency MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) and rest will be built by MMRDA ( Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority).
