A key pedestrian connector in Santacruz, Mumbai, has been causing discomfort for daily commuters as the skywalk linking the east and west sides of the suburb has been without a proper roof for several months. With daytime temperatures rising, pedestrians say crossing the stretch has become increasingly difficult.
The skywalk serves as an important route for residents moving between the two sides of the railway station area. However, the absence of overhead covering has made walking on the structure particularly challenging during hot afternoons.
Residents say they have been repeatedly approaching officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), specifically the H East ward, for nearly a year to address the issue. Despite multiple assurances from authorities, locals claim that no concrete repair work has begun so far.
A pedestrian who used the skywalk on Wednesday afternoon described the experience as exhausting. “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.”
Residents say the lack of progress has been frustrating despite continued follow-ups with civic officials.
Ivan Pais, a resident of Santacruz East, said, “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, a member of the St Anthony’s Street Welfare Association, said, “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.”
Fernandes added that residents were earlier told the roof had not been installed due to concerns that hawkers and drug users might occupy the structure. However, he noted, “But with or without a roof, that is happening.”
Source: Mid-day
