Commercial operations on the first phases of Mumbai Metro corridors 9 and 2B began on Wednesday morning, a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the routes, officials said. While Metro Line 9 marks the first direct connectivity between a Mumbai suburb and parts of Thane city in the metropolitan region, Line 2B provides the first metro connectivity along Mumbai’s Harbour Line. The 5.6-km elevated Phase 1 stretch of Metro Line 9 comprises four stations, Dahisar East, Pandurangwadi, Miragaon and Kashigaon. Meanwhile, the 5.53-km Phase 1 of Metro Line 2B includes five stations: Deshbhakt N G Acharya Udyan (Diamond Garden), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Deonar, Mankhurd and Maharashtra Nagar–Mandale. Travel time between Mira-Bhayandar and Mumbai to drop to 30 minutes According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Line 9 is expected to reduce travel time between Mira-Bhayandar in Thane district and Mumbai to around 30 minutes, compared to the current one to two hours. Built at a cost of Rs 6,607 crore, the corridor will eventually provide seamless connectivity to south Mumbai through integration with other metro lines. With the addition of these two new corridors, Mumbai’s operational Metro network has expanded to six lines, including Line 1 (Ghatkopar–Andheri–Versova), Line 2A (Andheri West–Dahisar East), Line 7 (Dahisar East–Andheri East) and the underground Line 3 (Colaba–Bandra Kurla Complex–SEEPZ). Revised timetable for Lines 2A and 7 comes into effect The MMRDA also said a revised timetable for Lines 2A and 7 came into effect on Wednesday, aimed at improving frequency, predictability and overall commuter experience. Following the launch of Line 9, Metro Line 2A will now operate as a standalone corridor between Andheri West and Dahisar East, with services running from 5.50 am to around 11 pm and a peak frequency of about six minutes. The integrated Line 7–9 corridor (Gundavali to Kashigaon), spanning 19.79 km, will operate from 5.50 am to 11 pm, with a peak frequency of under six minutes and 276 services on weekdays. Metro Line 2B services begin from 6 am Metro Line 2B (Phase 1) services commenced at 6 am and will run until around 10.30 pm at intervals of approximately nine-and-a-half minutes, operating 209 services daily. The MMRDA added that the integration of Line 7 with Line 9 enables direct connectivity from Andheri East to Mira-Bhayandar, while Lines 2A and 7 will function as separate corridors. A seamless interchange facility at Dahisar station will allow passengers to switch between Lines 2A and 7 without exiting the “paid” (ticketed) area. (With PTI inputs)
08 April,2026 12:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is expected to witness mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting maximum and minimum temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius, respectively. Air quality in the city remained in the ‘satisfactory’ category on Wednesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 68, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer App. At this level, minor breathing discomfort may be experienced by sensitive individuals. AQI across Mumbai regions Air quality varied across different parts of the city. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 81, while Borivali East reported a significantly higher level at 209, falling in the ‘poor’ category. Andheri East stood at 95, Chembur at 56, Colaba at 63, and Deonar at 118. Byculla recorded relatively better air quality with an AQI of 49. Neighbouring areas In nearby regions, Thane recorded an AQI of 84, Navi Mumbai 72, and Kalyan 56, all falling within the ‘satisfactory’ range. Overall, while weather conditions are expected to remain pleasant with clear skies, certain pockets continue to report moderate to poor air quality levels. Maharashtra weather update: Sholapur hottest at 38 degrees Celsius as Maharashtra witnesses warm, humid weather Maharashtra on Wednesday continued to witness warm conditions across most regions, with maximum temperatures largely staying in the mid-to-high 30 degrees Celsius, though slightly below normal in several interior districts, as per the IMD's latest weather report. Heat persists in interior regions Cities like Jalgaon (36.4 degrees Celsius), Malegaon (36.6 degrees Celsius), and Osmanabad (36.9 degrees Celsius) recorded high daytime temperatures, while Sholapur emerged as the hottest at 38.0 degrees Celsius. However, most of these readings remained 1–4 degrees Celsius below normal, indicating a marginal dip from typical April heat levels. Coastal belt relatively milder Coastal areas, including Alibag (32.7 degrees Celsius), Dahanu (33.6 degrees Celsius), and Ratnagiri (31.7 degrees Celsius), saw comparatively milder conditions. Humidity levels remained high, particularly in Mumbai-Colaba (86 per cent in the morning) and nearby regions, contributing to discomfort. Mumbai sees warm and humid conditions In Mumbai, temperatures hovered around 32.2 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 31.8 degrees Celsius at Santacruz, both slightly below normal. Minimum temperatures remained around 25–26 degrees Celsius, with high humidity levels making conditions feel warmer. Cooler nights in some regions Hilly areas like Mahabaleshwar recorded a maximum of 29.2 degrees Celsius, with a cooler minimum of 16.8 degrees Celsius. Interior cities such as Nashik (20.4 degrees Celsius) and Satara (20.4 degrees Celsius) also experienced relatively cooler nights. Humidity trends across Maharashtra Morning humidity remained high across several regions, including Sangli (82 per cent) and Kolhapur (80 per cent), while it dropped significantly by evening in interior districts like Jalgaon and Beed. Overall, while temperatures remain high, a slight dip below normal in many areas has offered marginal relief. Weather conditions are expected to remain largely stable, with warm days and humid conditions continuing across the state.
08 April,2026 10:49 AM IST | MumbaiWith a successful trial run completed on Sunday, Virar railway station is now ready to handle 15-coach suburban trains, bringing a potential 25 per cent jump in passenger capacity per trip on the Virar-Dahanu stretch. Western Railway (WR) plans to run eight 15-car services between Virar and Dahanu and seven between Virar and Churchgate. But officials say this is just the beginning. A bigger capacity boost is on the horizon. 15-coach rollout: What’s changing Total services being upgraded: ~17 Virar-Dahanu: 8 services (first time ever) Churchgate-Virar: 9 services Two new ready-made 15-coach trains arrived at the Virar carshed over the weekend to support the rollout. This marks the first-ever introduction of 15-coach suburban trains on the Virar-Dahanu section. Big shift coming: Freight trains to move out With the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor nearing completion, WR officials expect to divert nearly 30 freight trains daily from the main suburban line. This will free up crucial track space, opening the door for more suburban services on the same stretch. Officials describe this as a potential game-changer for Mumbai’s northern suburban corridor. What’s been upgraded at Virar >> Platforms 3A and 4A widened from 6.5m to 10.5m>> Platforms extended for 15-coach trains (earlier 12-coach capacity)>> New Platform 5A built on the western side“The works have been completed in a record four months despite operational constraints at this high-density station,” an official said. Trial run cleared A 15-coach EMU trial was conducted on Sunday by Western Railway in coordination with MRVC. The upgraded platforms will soon be handed over to the zonal railway to begin full-fledged services. “These developments will significantly enhance carrying capacity, improve passenger convenience, and support growing demand,” an official added. Voices from the ground Adv Prathamesh Prabhutendolkar, joint secretary, Dahanu Vaitarna Pravasi Sevabhavi Sanstha“Finally, the Dahanu-Virar section will get its first 15-coach suburban train service. This long-awaited step will help reduce overcrowding and improve travel for thousands of daily commuters. It is a positive move for this growing region.” Himanshu Vartak, Palghar passenger activist“The 15-coach local for Dahanu was expected after quadrupling, but even now it will help reduce crowding. During peak hours, these trains will be highly beneficial.” Why this matters >> ~25% more passengers per train>> Reduced overcrowding on a fast-growing corridor>> Better peak-hour distribution>> Future scope for more trains once freight shifts out
08 April,2026 09:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarFollowing mid-day’s exposé on Dadar beach serving as a godown for road construction materials for over three months, activists and environmentalists have urged immediate action, noting that the site falls under the protected CRZ-1B (Intertidal Coastal Regulation Zone I). Residents reported on Tuesday that material shifting remains incomplete, and the contractor continues operations on the beach, even deploying additional cutters for processing metal reinforcing bars. Contractor responds Pranay Shetty, site engineer, M/s GHV India, stated, “Vehicle movement restricts our shifting process as the materials are huge, hence the slow pace, but it’s not like we have not taken any action. We have cleared the tetrapods’ side of the beach completely.” mid-day did not receive the contractor’s response by press time to a query seeking valid approvals for using the beach. Authorities respond Vinayak Vispute, assistant commissioner, G North ward, said, “I had conveyed the issue to the relevant authority, which will be the chief engineer, roadworks department. I have also received an update that materials are being moved. If the contractor fails to move all the materials from the beach site, we will seize the materials and issue a show cause notice.” mid-day tried to contact MCZMA and other officials but got no response. Environmental concerns Zoru Bhathena, activist, said, “The beach is for public use, and it is impossible that the contractor would have received any approval for this. It is an environmental violation.” Stalin D, environmentalist, said, “For using the beach for any purpose, one needs permission from MCZMA, which I am 101 per cent sure they won’t have for their construction materials. And if it’s going on for months, then it is an encroachment in CRZ-1B [Intertidal Coastal Regulation Zone I], which is a serious environmental violation.” Voices Vaibhav Rege, secretary, Shivaji Park ALM‘The construction work is still ongoing on the beach in spite of assurances from the BMC G North ward officer that it will be removed. They have brought even more cutters at the spot’ Rahul Nadkarni, resident, Dadar beach‘The materials haven’t been shifted completely so far; what’s happening now from morning [Tuesday] is they have brought even more cutters. I figure they are trying to get as much done as possible on the beach site before they actually have to move from here. This is clear encroachment of the beach paired with noise pollution.’
08 April,2026 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak MehtaA group of parents from the western suburbs, whose children studied at Oshiwara’s City International School, staged a protest at Azad Maidan on Monday (April 6) against the terms of the school’s sudden closure. Parents said they received an email in the first half of February informing them that the school would shut down due to a hike in the land lease amount. They claimed there was no prior communication about the decision. “We had just paid the last term’s fees before the email was sent,” said a parent of a Std III student. After approaching local authorities, police, and education department officials, the parents decided to hold a day-long protest. Key demands Parents protest at Azad Maidan. Pic/Aditi Alurkar Protesters sought compensation for higher fees incurred while shifting their children to nearby ICSE schools. They also demanded that students admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act be accommodated in equivalent schools closer to their homes. Officials respond Gaurav Bhagwat, administrator, City International School, Oshiwara, said, “We have never charged any donations or early fees from any parents. As for fee hikes when it comes to lateral shifts, every school has its own regulations that are to be followed. In the meantime, 24 schools are accepting City International students, and admissions of 122 RTE students have been taken care of by the education department.” Sanjay Javir, education inspector, west zone, said a list of RTE students has been sent to the deputy director of education. “Many students have already been accommodated in nearby schools, and efforts are on to place the remaining students,” he said. Parents speak Faizia Parkar‘I enrolled my daughter in a nearby ICSE school, but had to pay nearly Rs 40,000 more than our earlier fees. We had already paid heavy donations to the Oshiwara school and should be compensated’ Faizan Khan‘We live in Jogeshwari and secured admission through RTE. Officials have now asked us to move our child to a municipal school in Vile Parle East. The distance is too much for a fourth-grade student’ Rs 50KThe extra amount a parent paid for admission
08 April,2026 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarThe Navi Mumbai Science Park (NMMC Science Park) has not moved past its ‘Phase 1’ of completion even after 12 years in the making. Envisioned as a “dream project” by CIDCO in 2004, the project was officially ordered by the NMMC in May 2021 with a 30-month deadline. However, as of April 6, 2026, the ‘Science Park’ at Wonders Park, Nerul, remains a skeleton of RCC (reinforced cement concrete) pillars. NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde While NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde maintains that Phase 1 will be completed by May 31 and denies any cost escalation, data obtained by an RTI activist highlights systemic delay and a budget that has quietly jumped 25 per cent from Rs 109 crore to Rs 132 crore. “The project cost has already hit Rs 132 crore,” says RTI activist Sanchu Menon. “The deadline was stretched to December 2025, yet the administration continues to play with dates.” Officials Speak “I have been tracking this since 2004, when it was a CIDCO dream. We did follow-ups with Abhijit Bangar [former NMMC commissioner - 2020, 2021, and 2022], but every time a commissioner changes, the vision changes,” said Dr AM Bhagwat, chairman, Navi Mumbai Science Foundation. “The project is delayed, but it is nearing completion. Phase 1 will be finished by May 31, 2026. There is no escalation of cost due to the delay,” said Dr Kailas Shinde, NMMC commissioner. RTI activist Sanchu Menon and Social activist Pratik Yadav Ground reality Despite the May 31, 2026, deadline for phase 1 completion, visitors to Wonders Park can see ongoing RCC work. “NMMC doesn’t do preliminary audits, only post-audits. This is why cost factors and durations are never accurately estimated,” says Kishore Singh, a Nerul-based journalist and activist. Phase 2 hurdle Even if the building is ready by May 31, NMMC executive engineer Vivek Mulye told mid-day that the tender for science exhibits (Phase 2) was floated only recently. “Deciding the agency and installing exhibits will take aa year,” he said. With Wonders Park becoming a major tourist hub, safety is a hovering cloud. “We remember the previous accident involving the electric ferris wheel,” said social activist Pratik Yadav. “With phase 2 construction in full swing, safety must be the top priority, not just finishing the work to meet a deadline,” Mulye added. 2021Year park was officially ordered
08 April,2026 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghS-park Avenue Construction workers oversee metal works at a highrise building in Goregaon Pause to celebrate Participants at a pre-festival activity at St Xaviers’ College, Fort. Pic Courtesy/MAHF Resilience takes a toll. For all its grit, life in the Maximum City can feel like a constant rush. Starting on May 6, the Mumbai Arts and Health Festival will add some ‘Pause’ to the proceedings. The free public festival will take place in public spaces across the city to bring together diverse stakeholders of evidence-based arts in medicine and community wellness. “It explores the intersection of arts and public health. It is inspired by the Global South Arts and Health Movement, and is held in collaboration with the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship,” shared festival chair, Devika Mehta (above). With a drum session at Carter Road next Sunday, the pre-event festivities are already underway. Readers can head over to the @mumbaiartsandhealthfestival for details. Penning goodbye in style Graffiti by Raj Pathare aka Mooz. Pics Courtesy/@mooz.one Even those forgotten need to be celebrated. Last weekend, a group of graffiti artists made their way to Vikhroli to transform an abandoned building into something more colourful. A graffiti by artist DKrypt. Pic Courtesy/@krypt.one “Graffiti is always to improve a wall. A friend suggested the place, and six of us asked around the neighbourhood before adding some colour to it. It was our way of saying goodbye,” shared Raj Pathare aka Mooz. Dharamsala, via Govandi Natasha Sharma, co-founder of the Govandi Arts Festival has another feather in her cap. Come May, the changemaker will join a select few who receive the 2026 Dalai Lama Fellowship. Established in 2010 with support from the 14th Dalai Lama, the fellowship helps leaders develop self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence in their ongoing efforts. File Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi “Working on the grassroots level can often be all-consuming. It’s extremely important to pause and reflect. I’m looking forward to meeting a refreshing batch of Fellows from Palestine, Iran, and Nigeria in Dharamsala next month,” she told us. Back home, the Fellowship will help her steer the Ek Aasmaan Tale initiative in the lanes of Govandi to its next destination. We’re all eyes. A page out of Warli art A panel in Warli art style on the cycle of water. Pics courtesy/Neev; SKLTCOA While citizens grumble about urban development that feels increasingly cumbersome, an interesting study by the architectural and design students of the Smt KL Tiwari College of Architecture (SKLTCOA) seeks to transfer traditional learning about sustainability and ecological design into urban pedagogy. The book, Zameen, Jal, Jangal, Janaawar, Jan (Neev), will be launched at the Goethe Institut on April 9, alongside resentations and a panel discussion. Illustration and example of residential structure “There were three batches of the students from 2023 to 2025, led by architect Pratik Dhanmer who documented life in Aarey Colony, Murbad village, and Veti villages. At the heart, we wanted to address the disconnect. India is largely rural in its ecological and cultural foundation, but architectural education and practice remains urban centric. We wanted to document traditional knowledge systems of sustainability to improve our teaching methods,” shared editor Suha Khopatkar.
08 April,2026 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially completed its first 100 days of operation, marking a milestone for India’s aviation sector. But on the ground, the 2-3 lakh residents of Ulwe are living in a fuel desert. Despite CIDCO’s ironclad assurance that a petrol pump would be operational by December 2024, the deadline has passed with nothing to show but empty plots and broken promises. This infrastructural vacuum has turned Ulwe into a ‘ticking time bomb’, where a flourishing black market for illegal bottled-petrol is the only way for locals to keep their engines running. CIDCO had earlier identified three plots for fuel stations, and officials had hinted that the wait would end by December 2024. However, the plan remains on paper. Roadside stalls sell petrol illegally at inflated prices. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT While a lone CNG station at Ulwe Sector 5 has finally opened, the majority of motorists — dependent on petrol — are left at the mercy of the bottled-petrol mafia. mid-day made several attempts to contact CIDCO officials, but they remained unavailable for comment. Safety concerns The danger isn’t theoretical. In 2024, a blast in Ulwe Sector 8 — caused by illegally stored petrol — wiped out an entire family of four, including 14-year-old twins. “We are living on a powder keg. Most of the roadside stalls store 20-30 litres of petrol in plastic cans. CIDCO promised us a pump by December 2024. The authorities waiting for another tragedy,” said Sector 5 resident Kishore Biswas. Airport paradox As airport taxis begin to clog the Ulwe nodes, the lack of a refuelling hub is creating a logistical nightmare. “We have the world’s most modern airport and the Atal Setu, but we don’t have a petrol pump. I don’t feel safe walking past shops where I can smell petrol fumes. CIDCO keeps giving us new dates, but nothing it done on ground,” said Sneha Tripathi, a Sector 19 resident. ‘Bottled-petrol’ economy In the absence of a legal fuel station, there are numerous illegal makeshift outlets at every street corner in Ulwe selling bottled-petrol. Petrol in one-litre plastic bottles is priced at a staggering premium of Rs 130 to Rs 150, nearly 40 per cent higher than official rates. “It’s a double whammy for us. We pay premium prices for ‘smart’ housing, yet we have to buy fuel like it’s contraband. I have to travel 7 km to Belapur just to fill my tank. If I am running low, I am forced to buy illegal bottled-petrol, which is often adulterated and ruins the engine,” said Mithun Kamble, a resident of Sector 17.
08 April,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghAll the lines from Mumbai and the suburbs and beyond are a good 100 km long. These include Aqua Line Cuffe Parade to Aarey, which is 33.5km, Yellow Line 2A from Dahisar to Andheri West, which is 18.6 km, Red Line 7 from Gundavali to Dahisar, which is 16.5km and Blue Line from Versova to Ghatkopar, which is 11.4km. The stretch of Line 2B opened on Tuesday from Mandale to Diamond Garden is 5.53km. All this totals to 85.53 km. The ones outside Mumbai but in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) include the 4.7 km stretch of Red Line 9 from Dahisar to Kashigaon that opened on Tuesday and the already functional 11.1 km Navi Mumbai Metro from Belapur to Pendhar, totalling 101.33 km. 5.53 kmLength of Line 2B opened on Tuesday from Mandale to Diamond Garden 4.7 kmLength of Red Line 9 from Dahisar to Kashigaon opened on Tuesday
08 April,2026 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarTo endow public toilets with features on a par with those in office complexes and shopping malls, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has built seven ‘aspirational’ toilets at places that are visited by tourists and devotees in the island city. The civic body plans to build 67 such facilities in the suburbs over the next year. The men’s section, which is partially monitored by a CCTV camera In South Mumbai, these toilets are located at high-footfall areas that are important from a tourism, heritage, or religious perspective, with key locations chosen including the historic Banganga Tank area near the 900-year-old Walkeshwar Temple; Fashion Street, a popular shopping destination; and Vidhan Bhavan and Lion’s Gate in Colaba. Visitors must pay Rs 5 to use these facilities, but there is no additional cost for using their amenities, such as sanitary pad vending machines. The women’s section, which includes a sanitary napkin vending machine and a space for feeding babies. PIC/ASHISH RAJE Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner, in charge of the solid waste management department, said, “Locations in South Mumbai were selected in the first phase based on space. Colaba has daytime and nighttime footfall of around 40 lakh and two lakh, respectively. We have conducted a survey and shortlisted 67 locations in the suburbs where such toilets will be constructed.” The aspirational toilet in the Banganga Tank area in the Walkeshwar Temple complex in South Mumbai. PICs/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Teen sawaal: Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner What are aspirational toilets?They are basically pay-and-use toilets, constructed after demolishing existing pay-and-use ones. There are a total of 787 such pay-and-use toilets in Mumbai, of which we have converted seven in the island city into aspirational toilets. Such high-end toilets were earlier called VIP or special toilets. The latest term was coined under SBM 2.0 as a means to show how we should aspire to make all community toilets. What were the criteria for setting up these facilities?There is no limit on how many such toilets can be constructed in Mumbai. We received aid of Rs 70 crore for their construction. However, since space is a challenge, BMC started with South Mumbai, as this area also sees a high footfall daily. After a survey, we selected 67 suburban spots where such toilets will be constructed. What challenges has the BMC faced?Space is a huge challenge when constructing toilets in Mumbai. We have also had to deal with the overall idea among citizens and the prospective target audience about the need to use any available space for a toilet — as the belief is that “if we have space, we can make something else”. We have had to rely on public footpaths to host our aspirational toilets so far. Another challenge is long-term viability from the maintenance point of view; but these toilets are a requirement for any city. Features of Mumbai’s aspirational toilets >> Toilet for disabled with European toilet seats for male, female, and Transgender persons>> Changing room, baby feeding facility for women, as per the space available>> Hand dryers, sanitary napkin, vending and burning machines>> CCTV cameras in community spaces>> Fire extinguishers>> UV digital printing that’s visible in dark>> Maintenance room>> Solar panels>> Overhead water tanks>> Electric duct>> Fire duct Island city locations Lion GateToilet seats 17 Bombay High CourtToilet seats 25 Vidhan BhavanToilet seats 20 BangangaToilet seats 16 Fashion Street and nearby Khau Galli; Toilet seats16 and 14 respectively Mahim BeachToilet seats 14
08 April,2026 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSMumbai’s skywalks — envisioned as safe and efficient pedestrian corridors — are increasingly failing to serve their purpose, especially for women. About 37 of them were built in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in multiple phases, including those at far-off places like Badlapur, Ambarnath and Kalyan, at a total cost of around Rs 900 crore. The Cotton Green skywalk, which lacks illumination. PIC/SHADAB KHAN But incomplete construction, poor maintenance, and lack of security have rendered many of these structures underutilised and, in many cases, unsafe. Commuters, especially women, report issues ranging from non-functional escalators and broken lighting to the presence of anti-social elements in poorly lit stretches. While some sections remain usable during peak hours, the absence of consistent monitoring, accessibility features, and basic upkeep raises serious concerns about their viability. mid-day went on the ground to do a reality check of seven skywalks, built at a cost of Rs 211 crore. 1. Grant Road Voices Avantika Biswas, Nana Chowk resident‘I live in a second-storey apartment, which is on the same level as the skywalk. Once, when I was returning home late at night from Grant Road station, I encountered drunk men lying on the skywalk. It felt unsafe, but there were a few other people, so I didn’t panic and simply rushed home. The skywalk can’t be called completely safe’ The skywalk at Nana Chowk, Grant Road. PICS/ASHISH RAJE An elderly resident‘‘I had come to see the skywalk when it first opened, but the escalators had stopped working a few days later. We hoped that the authorities would fix this as soon as possible, but the issue has persisted. While 20 years ago, I would have easily walked up the steps, right now, at the age of 68, it is not the best option; hence. I choose to use the road below the walkway instead’ Problems >> Dysfunctional escalators>> Riddled with cigarette butts and alcohol bottles>> One low-hanging electrical box>> Privacy boards not in place Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 5048Present statusPartly completedOriginal date of completion December 10, 2009 2. Cotton Green The poorly lit Cotton Green skywalk. PIC/SHADAB KHAN Voices Runali Kanjar resident‘I have been using the skywalk since its opening in 2010. Lights in the portion from the station entrance to the Gopal Mahadev Naik Chowk don’t work. In the evenings, the skywalk is completely dark and is full of drunks. While that stretch is unsafe for everyone, the portion from the station till the Kala Chowkie police station exit is well lit and is the most used section. We do see bottles of alcohol lying around sometimes, but they are picked up by BMC workers almost every two days.” A young female resident,‘I don’t use the skywalk unless it is morning. Once it gets dark, regardless of whether there are any drunk people around or not, an almost 200-metre unlit portion is unsafe for everyone’ Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 3777Present statusPartly completedOriginal date of completion October 28, 2010 3. Santacruz East The eastern portion of the Santacruz skywalk. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Voices Ivan Pais, Santacruz East resident‘Men drink and sleep there is no roof over a part of the skywalk. There are no functional CCTV cameras, and drug use and prostitution happen at night. All of these could be avoided with CCTV monitoring and police patrolling. The reason we have lights on the skywalk is that we complained multiple times. All we need is the roof and patrolling to make this a safer space’ Problems >> Majority of the light fixtures don’t work>> Used for illegal and anti-social activities>> Broken tiles and exposed concrete in some places Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 3777Present statusPartly completedOriginal date of completion October 28, 2010 4. Santacruz West The western side of the Santacruz skywalk. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Voices Anna Tony, Santacruz West resident‘The part from SV Road to the entrance of the railway station is well lit and is always crowded, hence it has never felt unsafe for me to use. I have come late at night via train and used the skywalk as well. There are some hawkers as well as people who sleep there at night, but I have never felt unsafe on the skywalk’ Problems >> Lack of roof>> Hawkers>> Anti-social elements>> No security arrangements Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 2567.96Present statusCompletedOriginal date of completion May 13, 2009 5. Ghatkopar West A vagrant lies face down on the Ghatkopar West skywalk. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE Voices Nayana Gondhale,‘Things are fine during peak hours, but it’s scary after 10 pm. The hawkers are gone, the footfall is lower than usual, and there are homeless and drunk people lying around. I usually call up friends or relatives while using the skywalk just in case, as prevention is better than cure’ Urvaja Saini,‘It’s quite lonely to climb up the skywalk. Only having sufficient illumination is not enough. There are no emergency buttons or security personnel in case someone needs help. No woman can ever think of walking through this skywalk all alone late at night. Public infrastructure must be safe for the public’ Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 1393Present statusCompletedOriginal date of completion May 16, 2009 Unique struggle Jayashree Jadhav, a wheelchair user, told mid-day, “Though a few skywalks have escalators, none of them has lifts. Even today, no public infrastructure is built keeping us in mind. Roads are potholed, and infrastructure that is higher than ground level is not accessible at all 6. Sion East Voices Nandini Keluskar,‘I have never seen this skywalk in use since it was built. There isn’t any work that can be seen being done either. This entire area feels unsafe for women as the skywalk is unusable and the road leading to the station is not appropriately illuminated’ Muskan Rathore,‘If the skywalk isn’t in use, why are its entrances not shut? Women don’t need to be attacked only if they climb up on their own. What if someone is taken upstairs forcefully by someone intoxicated? No one would ever learn about any untoward incident that can potentially happen.’ Problems >> Skywalk is basically unused >> Generally unsafe for women Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 2092Present statusIn progressOriginal date of completion February 23, 2010 7. Borivli West Voices Falguni Ketkar,‘Can we even call it a skywalk for pedestrians? It feels more like a shelter for the homeless. Their fighting and anti-social activities make one reluctant to use the structure. The lighting is insufficient. Skywalks across the city must have security guards’ Anjali Ramchandran,‘I have used this skywalk just once, when returning from college a few years ago. The darkness was terrifying. Since then, I haven’t used it at all, and I also tell my loved ones to avoid it, especially after dark. Some portions feel more like a horror movie set. On the road below, you have to deal with crowds containing perverts who try to touch women inappropriately’ Problems >> Poor lighting>> Anti-social elements>> Lack of security Contract cost (in lakh) Rs 3373.82Present statusPartly completedOriginal date of completion May 9, 2009 Official Speak Additional Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar. FILE PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Additional Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar told mid-day that keeping the skywalks safe, especially for women, has been a challenge. “There is no doubt that illumination is of utmost importance, and we try to provide it and respond immediately to related complaints. The biggest nuisance is anti-social elements, and security personnel are needed. Considering the BMC’s limited human resources and funds, it has not been possible to appoint them. The only possible solution so far is to give annual maintenance contracts to private players. However, there hasn’t been any positive outcome so far in this regard,” he said. The official added, “Skywalks have been successful only at places with heavy footfall; constructing them without any thought across the city is not the smart thing to do. This needs to be kept in mind moving ahead. We have realised that women prefer walking on crowded streets to using secluded skywalks. Thus, constructing proper footpaths with proper signalling facilities is the better option, especially in places with low footfall.”
08 April,2026 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar | Madhulika Ram KavatturADVERTISEMENT
