The Santacruz skywalk has been without a roof for months, forcing pedestrians to endure scorching heat during their commute, while repeated requests to the BMC for repairs have seen little action, leaving residents frustrated
The Santacruz skywalk, which connects the Western Express Highway to the Vakola pipeline. PICS/SHADAB KHAN
The Santacruz skywalk, a crucial east-west connector, has been without a proper roof for months. Pedestrians have said that using this piece of infrastructure these days, when the daytime temperature is scorching, is an ordeal.
Residents told mid-day they’ve been contacting the H East ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for about a year to resolve the issue, but no comprehensive action has been taken despite officials assuring them that work would be done.
A harassed-looking pedestrian, requesting anonymity, told this reporter on Wednesday afternoon, “I usually avoid taking the sky-walk during the daytime, but today, I used it as traffic was heavy on the road. The heat has been so intense that walking only 500 metres, I’m feeling breathless. A roof over my head would have made a difference.” mid-day contacted BMC officials to gauge what would be done to improve walkway’s condition, but received no response by press time.
Locals’ Accounts
Ivan Pais, resident, Santacruz East
‘I have been consistently following up with the authorities about the sky-walk. While I have received responses, I didn’t see any actual work starting. But this week, when I contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner, Projects Abhijit Bangar, he said that the tender for the roof work would be floated soon’
Maxim Fernandes, member, St Anthony’s Street Welfare Association
‘We met Assistant Commissioner Mrudula Ande and an executive engineer who informed us that it will take about two to three months for everything to fall into place, but since we haven’t seen any paperwork, we have no clue what is happening’
Roof or no roof
Fernandes stated that whenever residents asked the authorities the reason for the lack of a roof, they were told there were fears that hawkers and addicts would maintain a presence on the structure. “But with or without a roof, that is happening,” he added.
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