Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Set to Get India’s First Travelator-Equipped Skywalk
Mumbai may soon see India’s first skywalk fitted with travelators, as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) nears completion of the Mahalaxmi Multimodal Connectivity Project.
The proposed elevated walkway will connect Mahalaxmi railway station, Metro Line 3 and the Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk Monorail station, helping commuters move more easily between Mumbai’s suburban rail, Metro and Monorail networks.
Nearly 90% of the project work has reportedly been completed. Once operational, the interchange is expected to reduce transfer time by around 20 minutes for commuters changing between the three transport systems.
Designed for smoother interchanges
The travelator-equipped skywalk is expected to handle close to 4,500 passengers per hour. The addition of passenger lifts is intended to improve accessibility for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and travellers carrying luggage.
By making the interchange simpler and quicker, the project could strengthen access to the Monorail from south Mumbai and Worli, while encouraging greater use of integrated public transport.
Complex construction in a dense urban corridor
The project has involved significant engineering work in one of Mumbai’s utility-dense areas. According to reports, an 1,800-mm-diameter storm-water drain was relocated before construction, while nearby water and sewerage pipelines remained operational.
Construction was also coordinated to minimise disruption to traffic and annual Ganesh immersion processions along Sane Guruji Marg. Officials stated that the infrastructure was developed without felling trees.
Beyond its role as a pedestrian bridge, the Mahalaxmi project represents an important step towards a more connected public transport ecosystem in Mumbai, where rail, Metro and Monorail services work together as part of a single commuter journey.
Source: The Times of India