Members of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) have raised questions over construction of the skywalk, as it is within 100 metres of the Bandra railway station, which is a Grade-I heritage structure.
The newly-constructed skywalk by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) near the Bandra railway station on the western side is embroiled in yet another controversy.
Members of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) have raised questions over construction of the skywalk, as it is within 100 metres of the Bandra railway station, which is a Grade-I heritage structure.
Earlier this year, Altaf Khan, 11, had accidentally fallen to his death from the skywalk.
In 2007, during Jairaj Phatak’s tenure as municipal commissioner, a circular was passed, stating that any development within 100 metres of a Grade-I heritage structure must have clearance from MHCC.
However, while constructing the Bandra skywalk, no clearance was sought from the MHCC.
The Bandra railway station was recently restored by conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, who regained its old-world charm, with red tiled roofs, intricate eaves boards, iron windows and doors, to make it look exactly like it was built in the 1880s. To improve visual appeal, the railways were even asked to remove giant hoardings in and around the structure.
“Skywalks help in decongesting traffic. But, they have to be cleverly planned and designed sensitively. Ideally, the skywalk should have sought approval of the heritage panel,” said Vikas Dilaware, member, MHCC.
According to Lambah, skywalks are poorly designed with no design sensibility. “The Bandra skywalk is an eyesore and it adds to the clutter, which defeats the purpose of bringing back the old-world charm of the place. Skywalks even in non-heritage areas are an eyesore,” said Lambah.
Dinesh Afzalpurkar, chairman, MHHC, said they have taken up the matter with MMRDA commissioner. “MMRDA has said they will consider making changes to the skywalk’s design,” said Afzalpurkar.
However, Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, public relations, MMRDA, said that they had already changed the alignment of the skywalk to avoid obstructing the view of Bandra station.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}