The new skywalk linking the eastern side of Bandra railway station and the Western Express Highway has been planned to squeeze under the old Kalanagar flyover, allowing commuters to travel between the station and Kalanagar junction, a design that experts have termed convoluted. Over 50 per cent of work on the project is complete, and once ready, it will provide relief to thousands of commuters.

Experts and activists have compared the new sleek design of the skywalk with the older one that was constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in 2008, but became dilapidated within 15 years of its construction. It was eventually shut down in 2019 and dismantled in 2021.

Speaking about the old structure, which was not directly connected to the Kalanagar flyover, a resident involved with the project stated, “Initially, a 450-metre skywalk was planned, but following demands from residents, it was decided that the structure would be extended across the Western Express Highway as well. We were told that the skywalk could not be directly linked to Kalanagar due to the presence of the flyover on the highway. So, an additional 750-metre arm was built via the SRA Colony and Kalanagar junction crossing. It was such a detour. How is it that the highway bridge is not a hurdle now? Someone lied to us back then.”