22.11.08

Navi Mumbai to get Skywalks


After Mumbai’s ambitious plans to have 50 skywalks, it’s now the turn of Navi Mumbai to build five such modern structures on the two major highways—Sion-Panvel and Thane-Turbhe—passing through the satellite township. These skywalks are proposed at Vashi, Nerul, Koparkhairne, Ghansoli and Airoli. “There have been several instances of fatal mishaps at these spots. Most of them were pedestrians who were trying to cross the road or were crossing the tracks to catch a train. In these areas, industries, railway stations and residential areas are located nearby, which complicates the situation,” said standing committee chairman of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Sandip Naik. “Over the last five years, 16 persons have been killed and 60 injured in various road mishaps in these areas,’’ he added. “The five skywalks will be built through private participation and not with civic funds,’’ an official said. Each skywalk will be 90 mt in length, 6.9 mt in height and will cost about Rs 5 crore each. “Both the ends of the skywalk will have lifts for the elderly and handicapped. The structures will be illuminated with the help of solar panels. We expect the work to be over within 11 months after the project is approved,’’ Naik added. “UK-based consulting firm, The Firm Associates, which has experience in building skywalks in several countries, has agreed to provide expertise in designing the structures,” Naik said. “Man Infrastructure, a company based in Navi Mumbai, had already agreed to build one of these skywalks,’’ he added. Naik, however, refused to divulge the names of the other three major companies which are going to build the skywalks. According to sources, both the Ambani brothers have evinced interest. The Rs 25-crore project will be put up before the civic body for approval in the next meeting. “The NMMC will not spend a single rupee even though it had allocated Rs 5 crore for the skywalk project. Private parties will have to come up with their designs. Five of them will be selected,” added Naik. The skywalks will come up on the Sion - Panvel Highway at Vashi: Vashigaon to Sterling Hospital and at Nerul: D Y Patil stadium to MIDC junction, on the Thane-Turbhe Highway at Koparkhairne: Station to Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, at Ghansoli: Station to Dhirubhai Ambani corporate city and at Airoli: Station to Raheja Mind Space at MIDC Cost: Rs 25 crore (approx) .

No comments: