Mumbai: Bidders say can build skywalk in Bandra for 18.5 per cent less

Pic/Nimesh Dave

Though the BMC's estimated cost for the reconstruction of Bandra skywalk was R83 crore - excluding 18 per cent GST and four times higher than the earlier contract cost - it has received proposals that are 18.5 per cent less. The bridges department has sent the proposal for approval to the administrator after which the work order will be given for Rs 106 crore including all taxes and surcharges.

According to the BMC, the new bridge will be built within 15 months.

The skywalk - with one arm extending to Kalanagar and another to Bandra court via Anant Kanekar Marg (station road) - was built in 2008 by the MMRDA, which was subsequently handed over to the BMC. The skywalk was closed in 2019 after the horrific incident of the collapse of Himalaya bridge outside CSMT. After two structural audit reports and a Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) report indicated that the skywalk needed repairs, the BMC decided to reconstruct it. The earlier reconstruction contract was awarded in 2022 for a part of the skywalk from Bandra station to the court at Anant Kanekar Marg. The cost of demolishing and rebuilding the structure was Rs 19 crore. The skywalk was demolished, but the BMC delayed the reconstruction and meanwhile a petitioner approached the high court requesting the skywalk be extended up to the MHADA office.

The BMC floated another tender on June 26, 2023 for the reconstruction of the skywalk, with an estimated cost of Rs 83 crore. The four-fold cost escalation attracted criticism from activists. However, BMC justified it, saying the new estimation was based on the new unified schedule rate of 2018. The length of the skywalk has been increased from the previous 483 metres to about 740 metres.