After years in the dark, Santacruz skywalk sees light installation

Lights installed on the roofless stretch of the Santacruz skywalk

Nearly two years after the roofless stretch of the Santacruz skywalk remained without lighting, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has installed lights along the dark section. The move comes after repeated complaints by residents who said the poorly lit portion had become unsafe after sunset.

Safety concerns

The stretch is an extension of the East-West skywalk in Santacruz, originally envisioned to help thousands of residents from Vakola cross to the western side without facing traffic or hawkers. However, the lack of a roof and lighting meant the facility remained one of the least-used skywalks in the area.

Light fixtures kept aside for installation. Pics/By Special Arrangement

When mid-day spoke to commuters last year, several said the unlit section was widely avoided as darkness had turned it into a hotspot for illegal activities.

Divya Ganeshan, a Vakola resident, had earlier said residents avoid the skywalk after dark. "If we need to cross, we prefer walking on the footpath despite hawkers, because there are more people and lights there," she said.

Residents react

On March 14, Vakola residents noticed workers installing lights on the structure. Reynold Abraham said the development offered some relief. "Seeing the lights made it feel like our voices were finally heard. Even without a roof, it will at least make evening walks safer," he said. Another resident, Maxim Fernandes, said installing a roof remains necessary, especially during peak summer and monsoon.

Authorities Speak

Vaibhav Birari, assistant engineer, the H-East ward
‘The lights were installed under a tender issued last month, and within this week, all lights will be installed properly on the skywalk.'

March 14
BMC begins installing lights on the Santacruz skywalk