Mumbai’s ₹900 Crore Investment in Pedestrian Safety Now Overrun by Encroachers
Mumbai’s skywalks, built with a hefty investment of INR 900 crore to alleviate pedestrian traffic woes, now stand abandoned and misused, drawing ire from residents and activists alike. Constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as part of a broader initiative to provide safe and convenient pedestrian routes, these elevated walkways have failed to serve their intended purpose. Instead, they have been transformed into shelters for hawkers, drug addicts, and beggars, while residents actively avoid using them.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took over the responsibility for 24 of these skywalks in 2016–17, allocating a monthly maintenance budget of INR 2 crore. However, despite this significant financial commitment, the walkways remain in poor condition and suffer from widespread neglect. A recent inspection revealed a grim reality: many skywalks, such as the ones in Sion, Dharavi, and Santacruz, are either deserted or overcrowded with encroachers. A foul smell lingers in several locations, and in the absence of maintenance and security, these once-promising structures are now seen as unsafe and unsanitary. Pedestrians, who were meant to benefit from the skywalks, now prefer to cross the street at ground level rather than use the elevated pathways. The absence of crucial amenities, such as escalators, and the lack of basic maintenance have further discouraged usage. For example, the escalator at the Grant Road skywalk has been out of order for several months, rendering it inaccessible for many.
Activists and civic leaders are calling for an urgent review of the skywalks’ utility. Anil Galgali, a prominent civic activist, has called for a usage audit to assess whether these structures are still viable. He suggested that the city needs foot overbridges instead of skywalks, which he believes have proven ineffective. Galgali raised questions about why the BMC continues to maintain these facilities when they are largely unused. Godfrey Pimenta, another activist, echoed these concerns, describing the skywalks as “white elephants.” He argued that they were poorly constructed, poorly maintained, and have been overtaken by hawkers. “They are rarely cleaned, and their purpose has long been forgotten,” he said.
Sanjay Gurav, a civic activist, suggested that the BMC focus on restoring the original purpose of these skywalks by cleaning them, removing encroachments, and ensuring that vendors are allowed to operate in designated areas only. “We need a comprehensive plan to restore the skywalks so that pedestrians can use them safely while maintaining the area’s cleanliness and utility,” Gurav said. While the BMC has initiated some restoration work, such as at Dahisar West, the overall situation remains dire. The city’s skywalks, once heralded as a solution to pedestrian safety and traffic congestion, now serve as a poignant reminder of the mismanagement of public infrastructure. As the debate continues, Mumbai’s residents remain in search of effective solutions to improve pedestrian access and ensure the proper use of these costly walkways.
