Few takers for skywalks: study

Another survey conducted on a skywalk at Kanjurmarg also shows very low footfalls. “There was no need for a skywalk at Kanjurmarg. It’s a waste of money. Only 25-30 people use it every hour,” said Ashok Datar who conducted the survey.

Datar and his team,who had conducted a study a fortnight ago at the partially-opened skywalk at Borivali (west),were shocked to see the “poor usage” of the skywalk that links the Borivali station that is always heavily crowded. “The Borivali skywalk is poorly used. We have found out that nearly 50,000 people board the trains from Borivali station. But only 3-4 per cent of commuters use the skywalk there,” said Datar. He also said as the height of the skywalk was more than that of the railway FOB,commuters prefer to avoid it. “It’s seven steps higher; presumably to accommodate advertisements.”

While the MMRDA has opened four skywalks fully so far,around nine skywalks have been opened only partially.

But the MMRDA doesn’t feel so. Asked about the skywalks at certain areas such as Kanjurmarg,Vidhyavihar and Borivali,Joint Metropolitan Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said,“How can such claims be made? Give us the data and we’ll see if it’s correct.”

Meanwhile,additional chief engineer A K Pahal said,“We’ve to build four more staircases on the Borivali skywalk. They will be built by March 15.”

He said the state government should reconsider its plan to construct skywalks and redo a feasibility study. The MMRDA,meanwhile,has issued work orders to construct 58 more skywalks in the city and the metropolitan region. “We’ve got approval to construct nine more skywalks,” Pahal said.

According to Datar,perhaps the addition of elevators on the skywalks could help increase the number of users. “They (elevators) are part of the project at certain areas such as Bandra (east). In other areas,elevators will be installed after a maintenance agency is appointed,” said Bhide.

Quizzed if skywalks would help them effectively,several pedestrians said they prefer not to use the exclusive walkaways that have been changing the city skyline since June 2008. Lack of exits at certain points make it difficult for them to use the skywalks. “I need to buy vegetables and other household items from the station area. Otherwise,I would prefer to go by a bus or autorickshaw. Skywalks are of no use,” said Supriya Karade,a BMC employee who seldom uses the skywalk at Dahisar (east).