Mumbai: Sion skywalk commuters seek security as people sleeping, arguing raise safety concerns

The Sion skywalk, where several problems persist despite a civic clean-up, according to pedestrians. Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar

The Sion skywalk, a key pedestrian link to the railway station, is once again drawing complaints from commuters who say the stretch has become uncomfortable and intimidating, particularly after dark.

The concerns come months after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) carried out a cleanliness drive and installed lighting on the skywalk following earlier complaints about its condition.

With work on the Sion flyover affecting movement at road level, commuters say the skywalk has become an important route to the station. They allege that people sleeping on the structure, some of whom are intoxicated, along with loud arguments and abusive exchanges and are half-naked, are making them wary of using it.

Pedestrians call for security measures

The skywalk had been cleaned and illuminated earlier this year after commuters raised concerns over poor maintenance and darkness. At the time, residents welcomed the improvements but said security personnel and CCTV cameras were still sorely needed.

Voices of concern

Bhavesh Kumar, passenger
‘The skywalk was cleaned only a few months ago. It is frustrating to see it return to the same condition so quickly. If authorities do not monitor the area regularly, any cleanup will only be temporary. The improvements would have little impact without regular monitoring'

Naina Bandher, resident doctor, Sion Hospital
‘For women, this is not merely an inconvenience - it feels unsafe. We have to walk past people who are drunk, sleeping in the open or fighting. Sometimes they use extremely abusive language. What are we supposed to do when this is the only route available to the station?'

Bharti Adhikari, commuter
‘We cannot avoid the skywalk because of the flyover work. But every day we have to think twice before entering it. A public facility meant for commuters cannot be allowed to become a place where women feel threatened. The situation becomes more intimidating after dark'

Mehul Dutta, commuter
‘We pay taxes and have the right to use public infrastructure safely. Being forced to walk through an unsafe environment because there is no alternative is a blatant violation of our fundamental rights. The ongoing Sion flyover work has reached the road where the share taxi stand earlier was. Now the stand has also been shifted to the end of the road, and the skywalk is the only option to reach there when we come out from the station. There is a small stretch down the road, but it is not properly illuminated, and the footpath is broken. Where should we walk from? That is the biggest question. We have no answer'