Figure 1. Financial Model for Maintenance of Bandra Skywalk
Bandra is one of the major suburban stations in Mumbai. More than thousand suburban trains operation take place every day about 5 lacks commuters traveling through this station. Out of this 39% commuters approach the station by walk while 32% by bus 16% by Auto and 13% by other modes. The percentage to the station is nearly equal on the East and West. With the development of Bandra-Kurla Complex into last few years the commuters from BKC have substantial increased. Further, the Western Railway is developing the Bandra Terminal about 1 km north of the suburban station and operations from this terminal are also increasing every year above. The considering the Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme has been included in the priority works under MUIP master plan. After considering several alternatives it is decided to develop Skywalks from Bandra (E) to Kalanagar and Bandra (W) to Hill road and Mohd. Raffi Chowk on priority. Skywalk form Bandra (E) to Kalanagar has been completed as pilot project.
The Mumbai Skywalk Project is a series of skywalks in and around the metropolitan region of Mumbai. The project was initiated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Currently, 50 projects are planned, with 18 of them to be built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The Bandra-Kurla Skywalk, the first skywalk to be built among them, is a 1.3 kilometers (1 mi) long skywalk connecting the suburban regions of Bandra and Kurla. Transport interchange activities, passenger transfer between trains, buses, taxies & Private vehicles make the station area most congested. The problem aggravates with the road side hawking and vehicular parking. The Sky walk is an elevated walk way dedicated to the pedestrians connecting the railway station/ high concentration commercial area and destination points where concentration of pedestrians prevail. The purpose of the sky walks is for efficient dispersal of commuters from station/congested area to strategic locations viz. bus stops, taxi stands, shopping areas, off roads etc. and vice versa. This would help decongest the crowded streets. The marginalized pedestrian, who has seen footpaths disappear rapidly and very few subways surface, will soon have numerous aerial pathways to stride along in Mumbai. And, that too, away from roadside hawkers and the incessant honking of bumper-to-bumper traffic in congested areas, especially on the roads that lead to suburban railway stations.
Total estimated cost is about Rs. 600 crs.
Out of 50 numbers of skywalks proposed to be constructed, construction of 18 numbers will be under taken by MSRDC. Before finalizing detailed project report i.e. before preparing GAD; local people, corporators, MLAs, MPs from that area are being contacted to understand their views/ suggestions/concurrence etc. PMC for these works have been finalized and they are asked to coordinate with other concerned depts Like MCGM, Railways etc.
To be finalized considering various factors like,
Mumbai with its population of over 12 million is the commercial and financial capital of India generating 5% of India's GDP and contributing 30% of country's Tax revenue. More than 10 million passenger use suburban railway and bus service everyday. All public transport users start and end their journey as pedestrians only. The ever increasing automobile usage and increased speeds on account of changing vehicle technology, improvement of road geometrics and driver's habit made it essential to develop pedestrian safety facilities. Road side friction and encroachments also call dedicated facility around the suburban stations and congested areas. Suburban rail is the backbone of Mumbai's transport system. Over the last 5 decades the Station areas have emerged as nodal points for retail business. Concentration of transport interchange activities; passenger transfer between Suburban trains, BEST buses, taxi/ auto rickshaw and private vehicles make the stations most congested. Presence of vegetable and fruit venders and other hawkers along with unauthorized extensions of shops make it extremely difficult for commuters to walk outside stations and reach respective destinations. To combat this massive problem and give priority to pedestrians, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) conceived the project of skywalks under the Station Area Improvement Scheme (SATIS).
Bandra suburban railway station is a major station with more than 1000 services operations every day. With the development of Bandra Kurla Complex and its surrounding areas, Western Railway terminal and growth of commercial activities the Bandra station area is experiencing very high traffic and pedestrians volume.
The Skywalk from Bandra station (East) to kalanagar was taken up for implementation by MMRDA (2007) as pilot project with the cooperation of Western Railway and MCGM.
The Skywalk between Bandra Station from (Existing Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar has been constructed to serve the commuters traffic between BKC and the Station.) The work included construction of Skywalk form Bandra suburban railway Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar. It is 1300 m. long and 4 m. wide walk way and 4 staircase at various locations. This Skywalk proposed is covered by multi wall polycarbonate sheet for weather protection to the pedestrian. The integration arrangements with the railway for provision of ticket counter, if required by railway are being finalized.
M/s Das Offshore Engg. Pvt. Ltd. Were appointed as contractor for the total cost of Rs.13.63 Cr. The construction for the project was initiated from 27th December, 2007. The construction has been completed and the same was inaugurated on 24th June, 2008 under the hands of Chief minister, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. The construction of skywalk was completed in record breaking period of 6 months. The Skywalk has now been opened for the use of Pedestrians and the procedure for Operations and Maintenance of the Skywalk has been initiated by inviting tenders.
The Skywalk from Bandra station (East) to kalanagar was taken up for implementation by MMRDA as pilot project with the cooperation of Western Railway and MCGM.
Bandra is one of the major suburban stations in Mumbai. More than thousand suburban trains operation take place every day about 5 lacks commuters traveling through this station. Out of this 39% commuters approach the station by walk while 32% by bus 16% by Auto and 13% by other modes. The percentage to the station is nearly equal on the East and West. With the development of Bandra-Kurla Complex into last few years the commuters from BKC have substantial increased. Further, the Western Railway is developing the Bandra Terminal about 1 km north of the suburban station and operations from this terminal are also increasing every year above.
The considering the Bandra Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme has been included in the priority works under MUIP master plan. After considering several alternatives it is decided to develop Skywalks from Bandra (E) to Kalanagar and Bandra (W) to Hill road and Mohd. Raffi Chowk on priority. Skywalk form Bandra (E) to Kalanagar has been completed as pilot project.
The Skywalk between Bandra Station from (Existing Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar has been constructed to serve the commuters traffic between BKC and the Station.) The work included construction of Skywalk form Bandra suburban railway Foot Over Bridge to Kalanagar. It is 1300 m. long and 4 m. wide walk way and 4 staircase at various locations. This Skywalk proposed is covered by multi wall polycarbonate sheet for weather protection to the pedestrian. The integration arrangements with the railway for provision of ticket counter, if required by railway are being finalized.
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Total Commuters | 5.00 lakh daily |
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Commuters from East | 2.50 lakh daily |
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Modal split | 39% walk, 32%bus, 16% Auto. |
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Major Area of destination | BKC, MHADA, Kalanagar etc. |
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Distance covered | 1.3 Km (Bandra East to Kalanagar) |
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Walkway (width) | 4.0 m wide with Poly carbonate roofing and anti skid tile flooring |
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Entry /Exit points(staircases) | Annat Kanekar Road, Indian Oil Building, Nandadeep Garden and Kalanagar Bus Stand. |
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Cost of Project | 13.63 Cr |
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Operation and Maintenance | Facility management agency to be appointed on contract who shall clean, maintain and provise 24hr security |
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Proposals in Bandra (West) | Skywalk from Bandra (W) station to S.V Road connecting Bada Masjid, Md. Rafi Chowk, Bandra Talav. |
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Proposed lifts | Kalanagar and Annat kanekar Road Police post (For Senior citizens and handicapped) |
The Project have been completed and opened to public with effect from 24th June, 2008.
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Contractor | : - M/S. DAS Offshore |
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Consultant | : - M/S. S. N. Bhobe Associates |
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Project Cost | : Rs. 13,63,15,000/- |
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Project Period | : 6 months |
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Issue of Work order | : 27th December, 2007 |
Skywalk is supported on Pile Foundations, Pile Cap and Steel Columns ( clear height of 6.50 m above all roads).
Super structure is of Structural Steel Truss and Pre-Cast Slab Panel as Deck Slab with flooring of Pigmented mastic and Walkway Project includes covering structure with 16mm thick multi wall polycarbonate sheet with aluminum tubular sections as roof.
Staircase is in M.S with R.C.C slab for entry and exit at three locations from walkway structure.
Substructure Consist of Mini piles of 10m depth of Pre-stressed Pre-cast type. For designing the Piles , the samples from bore were taken and tested at site and analyzed for establishing design parameters.
Tests such as standard penetration test compression and shear test on undisturbed samples were carried on for establishing the design parameters.
The pile foundation was designed considering the various load combination forces and permissible stresses as per the latest edition of IRC 78.
The piling was carried out by Hydraulically operated drilling machine.
6mm thick M.S liner was provided to the piles from the bottom of pile cap up to rock level with anticorrosive treatment.
Special cement such as Sulphate Resisting Cement was used in pile foundation Dimension of any element of piers is not less than 300mm.
Where Concrete was used for substructure minimum M40 and above was used and all concrete was supplied by R.M.C plant.
Anticorrosive treatment to M.S liners to the piles and protective paints to pile cap and substructure was provided.
Superstructure Design is based on longitudinal and Transverse analysis. The structures are designed for the load coming from the launching components etc beam and winch system etc Impact of such loads shall be considered not less than 10% of total load.
Wind Forces was considered in the following ways:
Deck slab thickness is 150mm.
Various utility services such as water supply, sewerage, electric cables, street light cabled, traffic signal cables, gas pipes, petroleum pipes, telephone lines etc running parallel to the road or across the road were properly shifted or adjusted as required.
Where Concrete was used for superstructure minimum M40 and above was used and all concrete was supplied by R.M.C plant.
For skywalk superstructure mainly structural steel were used. Structural steel construction has been designed as per IRC:18-2000 and Guide specifications for design and construction of Structural steel construction. The structural components were checked for stresses during handling and erection.
Structural steel of M.S pipe, rolled beams, channels, angles etc of TATA steel were used. Gusset plates, end plates, stiffeners, bolts and nuts, fillets etc are all of structural steel. Structural steel members of truss are mostly welded. Epoxy coating has been applied on the interfaces of both the steel work.
Water spouts as per MOST Type design No. SD/ 303 are provided. Water Spout is of 150mm diameter G.I and connected to runner pipe (HDPE type) of suitable diameter (minimum 150 mm) and taken down by down take HDPE pipes of suitable diameter at approved locations.
Collection chamber are made in the ground and are connected to nearest storm water drain through 300 mm diameter NP3 pipe.
Flooring of skywalk was done with Pigmented mastic. Mastic flooring was carried out with laying thickness of 20 to 25 mm with waterproofing layer below. The Mastic was laid manually. The top layer ( 1 to 1.5mm) of 6days old mastic is then removed with the help of polishing machine attached with rough stone. Subsequently polishing is done with using various number of stones and final layer polishing is done with wax to achieve smooth joint less finish. The effective thickness reduced due to polishing is about 5mm.
Due to granite stones of various color appearances are very attractive and looks like mosaic tiles.
For roofing material PVC sheets were used which were fixed over the purlins.
Green colour roofing material gives a pleasant look and also keeps the skywalk cooler and comfortable for the users. Economically also it is viable.
Reliance got the Contract for an amount of `78 Crore for the period of ten years.
In the agreement, Reliance are allowed to operate and maintain the skywalk for a period of ten years and in return they have Advertising rights on the skywalk.
Revenue can be well generated by giving it for advertisement and if shopkeepers are allowed to do business over the skywalk. The tax can be generated from the shopkeepers.
As per Cost Benefit Ratio of the project is considered, it is very high. The client(MMRDA) has recovered all the amount spent on the project and plus they are enjoying the extra benefits in the terms of money, goodwill and popularity.
Initially the entire funding of the project was done by the funds from M.M.R.D.A.(2006) But the revenue was generated very easily after the completion of the project.
The MMRDA appears to sitting on a potential revenue-spinner. The agency received an offer of Rs 78 crore for exclusive advertisement rights for the Rs 13-crore Bandra walkway for a 10-year period.
However, the contract includes overall maintenance, cleanliness and operation of lifts too.
In addition, the MMRDA is also looking at shopping arcades on the skywalks, more to rehabilitate persons affected by the projects.
It will not only rehabilitee the people but it will also help in generating the funds in the form of taxes.
Financial Model for Maintenance of Bandra Skywalk is shown in Figure 1.
Any project is conceptualized when there is a Need. And we can very well understand that how Mumbai Pedestrians' dream has come true with the upcoming of Skywalk in the most crowded areas. TheArial view and the truss of Bandra sky walk is shown in Figures 2 to 5.
Figure 1. Financial Model for Maintenance of Bandra Skywalk
Figure 2. Bandra East-the Arial View
Figure 3. Erection of Truss
Figure 4. Welding of Members of Truss during Night Hours
Figure 5. A truss Showing Different Members
Before undertaking any project following feasibilities are studied for the viability of the project:
The last but not the least required is the political will for any successful completion of the project.
From all the above sections it is well cleared that the skywalk project fulfills all the needs.
As per Cost Benefit Ratio of the project is considered, it is very high. The client (MMRDA (2007) has recovered all the amount spent on the project and plus they are enjoying the extra benefits in the terms of money, goodwill and popularity.
Revenue can be well generated by giving it for advertisement and if shopkeepers are allowed to do business over the skywalk. The tax can be generated from the shopkeepers. And moreover, pedestrians will be automatically attracted to use the skywalk without making any compulsion.
In Pune, there are many subways for crossing the roads, but people are reluctant to use that due to poor maintenance and poor ventilation.
But as M.M.R.D.A (2007) has given the maintenance to the Advertising contractor, so the maintenance problem automatically vanishes.
And as skywalk is free to atmosphere i.e open air, people will love to use that. Further, if people can do shopping while walking , people will be automatically tend to use skywalk. Who will not like to walk freely, safely without any hassle of traffic in open air !!!
So, after seeing the success story of Mumbai Skywalk it is the turn of Pune skywalk and the author sure the day is not far away.