A Mumbai Metropolitan region Development Authority study of 35 skywalks that are near 26 railway stations in the city and the metropolitan region pegs the number of people using them at 12.10 lakh a day.

MMRDA said the numbers stated are the headcount recorded by an MMRDA team that visited the skywalks during mornings and evening rush hours on weekdays.

Criticism

There has been widespread criticism that the skywalks were not serving their purpose, despite being built across the city. MMRDA said it had had initiated the study following indications from the Chief Minister's office to enumerate the public patronage for the facility.

MMRDA said the current numbers indicated an increase of two lakh users over a survey conducted last December.

Mr Rahul Asthana, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, “The number of skywalk users is growing. The concept of skywalks is futuristic and generally people are a bit averse to change. However, considering the advantages, especially during monsoon and the safety aspects, I am sure Mumbaikars will soon embrace skywalks as anticipated by us.”

Busy ones

The skywalks at Bandra, Santacruz, Kalyan and Wadala have logged over one lakh users a day.

“The figures fairly indicate rising usage and the need for skywalks during peak hours contrary to perception that the skywalks have limited usage,” said Ms.Ashwini Bhide, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.

The skywalks at Borivali, Ulhasnagar and Chembur account for more than half a lakh of commuters daily.

There are a few skywalks which are not being utilised to their potential such as those in Bhandup, Kandivali, Grant Road, Badalapur, Sion, Bhayendar, Thane, Ambernath, Kanjurmarg, Goregaon, Vasai Road and Andheri. However, MMRDA is certain that these skywalks too will be in the reckoning as users are growing in number.

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