Dahisar skywalk, a disaster waiting in the wings?

A dilapidated skywalk in Dahisar (W) continues to be used by people, even though portions of its ceiling have fallen twice in the last few days

Even though the skywalks were constructed hardly a decade back, the structures have started crumbling. And sadly, it can be the next disaster waiting to occur. One such dilapidated skywalk in Dahisar (west) continues to be used by people, even though portions of its ceiling fell twice in the three days. The incidents were reported on Tuesday and Thursday. Although no one was injured in both the occasions, the incidents have raised some serious safety concerns.

Dahisar residents feel the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is waiting for a disaster to happen and is not ready to learn from Gokhale bridge collapse in Andheri.

The skywalk located in Dahisar (west) was shut by BMC in April 2017 citing its dilapidated condition. But as BMC's magnanimity would have it, the civic body let several homeless people dwell on it. The skywalk was constructed by MMRDA and was handed over to BMC in 2015.

Cut to February this year, the bridges department had appointed a consultant to carry out a survey and ready an estimate for its repair. "The process is expected to take around three to four moths time. We have also recommended the skywalk be shut down for pedestrians and diversion of traffic under it by barricading the structure.

However, despite the bridge department’s suggestion, local ward officials did not put any barricade. The ward officials, however, closed the skywalk for public use.

“We had requested the police to do regular patrolling and ensure nobody uses it, until repair work is carried out,” said an official from the R-North ward office.

But residents have alleged that some miscreants continue to use it for all the wrong reasons.