Mumbai Skywalks Face Scrutiny as 26 Multi-Crore Structures See Low Footfall

Mumbai’s network of 26 pedestrian skywalks, including key structures at Nana Chowk and Borivli West, is facing intense scrutiny over low public usage despite hundreds of crores of public funds being spent on their construction.

The skywalks were originally conceptualised and built to provide a safer alternative for pedestrians attempting to cross busy roads across the city. However, several of these multi-crore structures appear to be struggling to attract commuters and justify the large capital expenditures invested in them.

At Nana Chowk, home to Mumbai’s first cable-stayed skywalk, the structure was seen wearing a deserted look during peak morning commuter hours on August 20. Similarly, on SV Road in Borivli West, only a handful of pedestrians were observed using the elevated walkway on a Thursday morning.

Financial disclosures indicate that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) alone spent Rs 286.58 crore on the small number of skywalks it constructed. The total citywide expenditure is estimated to be significantly higher once accounting for the structures built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which was responsible for constructing the lion's share of the city's skywalk network.

However, when asked to provide details regarding the exact number of skywalks it built and the total public funds spent on their construction, the MMRDA refused to share the information.