NGOs will help curb vandalism on skywalks ……..Ashley DMello
Mumbai: Shocked at the way the skywalk in Bandra (west) was vandalised just days after it was inaugurated, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to rope in NGOs to help curb the menace.
The MMRDA officials said that a change in peoples attitude was necessary. The incident was seen as a sign that all was not well with the way people perceive skywalks.
MMRDA chief engineer in charge of skywalks, S Nandagirkar, said that they had discussed using NGOs to bring about a change in public attitude towards skywalks. We will also ask our security personnel to patrol regularly, he added. The NGOs are expected to hold meetings with people and citizens groups to help the public feel more responsible for the structures.
The skywalks have been at the receiving end of public ire from the time they were inaugurated, though the footfall on many of them is increasing.
The skywalk at Bandra (west), which was opened to the public on July 7, has recorded 30,000 footfalls during the morning and evening peak hours every day, MMRDA officials claimed.
The city has 21 skywalks that are in operation, while five more will be functional by July end and another five in August. Two more skywalks are expected to be complete in September and three in October.
* WHAT A WASTE: Dustbins have been stolen from Bandra (W) skywalk, which was opened to the public on July 7