Wear and tear, thefts hurt skywalks…….Prashant Rangnekar
Even as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) battles to complete its skywalk projects, some already built are in need of repairs.
Tiles at Bandra (east) skywalk commissioned in June 2008 have come off at several points. At the entrance to this skywalk, a hole has appeared where there were tiles. We have an agency to look after cleaning of the Bandra skywalk. We would ask the agency to repair it. But if tiles are missing, even the agency cannot replace them as it would be considered stolen. In such a case, we have to carry out maintenance work, said S R Nandargikar, chief engineer, MMRDA.
But some MMRDA officials confirmed the two-year maintenance contract had expired in June this year.
The story is similar for the recently commissioned skywalks in suburbs like Badlapur, Ulhasnagar and Virar. Though MMRDA has either funded or built them, local bodies are responsible for keeping them clean. Many of these skywalks have turned into makeshift shelters.
Dustbins at Vile Parle skywalk were carried away by thieves last Thursday. MMRDA also blames thieves for tiles disappearing on the skywalks. We have provided security on all skywalks, but thefts have increased, said Nandargikar.
The MMRDA has been receiving flak from residents associations, political parties and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for improper planning and construction of the skywalks. The agency had initially planned 53 skywalks of which 17 were dropped due to opposition from various quarters.
The agency has so far completed around 14 skywalks, another 10 have been partially opened. The remaining 10 are likely to be completed by the end of the year.