Mumbai Municipal Corporation Announces Construction of Sky Walk in Mulund to Ease Traffic Congestion
Mumbai, 10th June 2023: Mumbai Municipal Corporation has unveiled plans to alleviate traffic congestion in the city by constructing a pedestrian skywalk at Maharana Pratap Junction in Mulund (West). This innovative skyway will connect the BEST Bus Depot with the proposed metro station, aiming to facilitate the journey of pedestrians and reduce traffic congestion.
P. Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner, highlighted the ongoing traffic woes at Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in Mulund West, which is constantly congested due to the convergence of five major roads. “Pedestrians face challenges crossing the road. The presence of Best Depot, a popular commercial hub, results in a constant influx of pedestrian traffic here, he said. “In response to this issue, traffic enumerators conducted a comprehensive survey of pedestrian counts and traffic volumes on this stretch. In addition, a consulting firm prepared a feasibility report, leading to the decision to construct a skywalk at Maharana Pratap Junction,” he added.
The planned skywalk, which spans a total length of 451.16 metres and is 3 metres wide, will use the pile foundation method for its construction. The structure will consist of steel composite plate girders complemented by 125-mm-thick concrete deck slabs. Modern sliding stairs and staircases will feature anti-skip tiles, while polypropylene sheets will be used for the roofing. The base construction will utilise pile foundation techniques, with the remaining construction employing a combination of structural steel and reinforced concrete piles. Sanjay Koundanyapure, the chief engineer of the bridge department, emphasised that the bridge’s surfacing will comprise concrete slabs.
The municipal officials believe that the implementation of this skyway will significantly benefit regular pedestrians by providing them with a convenient and safe pathway. Furthermore, its connection to the proposed metro station will contribute to the reduction of pedestrian congestion on the road. As part of a broader strategy to address traffic issues, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation plans to construct additional skyways alongside roads and bridges.
