Bandra East Skywalk Opens Promising Safer And Faster Pedestrian Movement
Bandra East Skywalk Opens Promising Safer And Faster Pedestrian Movement
680-metre-long structure links Western Express Highway to Kalanagar Junction, easing access to BKC and key government offices
Five years after the original structure was dismantled, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally opened the new skywalk at Bandra East for public use. The facility was inaugurated on January 26, 2026, and is expected to significantly improve pedestrian safety and convenience in one of Mumbai’s busiest transit corridors.
The newly built skywalk stretches 680 metres and connects the Western Express Highway (WEH) to the eastern side of Bandra station, providing direct access up to the Kalanagar Junction. This area witnesses heavy daily footfall due to the presence of major government offices, courts, commercial establishments and its proximity to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
Officials said the skywalk has been designed to serve commuters travelling between Bandra Court, BKC, the MHADA office and the District Collector’s office, reducing their dependence on risky road-level crossings and helping them avoid traffic congestion.
The structure has an average width of 5.40 metres, allowing smooth pedestrian movement even during peak hours. To improve accessibility, it has been equipped with two automated escalators and four staircases placed at strategic points. Security has also been prioritised, with 14 CCTV cameras installed along the skywalk to ensure constant monitoring.
The previous skywalk, built in 2008, had only two access points, making it inconvenient for users. Over time, people stopped using it, and a structural audit conducted in 2019 found the structure unsafe. Following this, demolition work began in 2021 to rebuild the skywalk from scratch.
However, the project faced multiple delays due to the removal of utility lines, encroachments and the extremely challenging construction environment. The skywalk runs over the Western Express Highway, one of the busiest roads in Mumbai, which meant that most construction work could only be carried out during limited midnight hours.
Additionally, continuous pedestrian movement on Anant Kanekar Road beneath the structure required special safety precautions during construction. Engineers had to ensure that both traffic flow and pedestrian safety were maintained without disruption, making the project technically demanding.
Despite these hurdles, the BMC completed the project with modern design standards and durable materials. Officials described the skywalk as a robust and long-lasting structure built to withstand heavy daily usage.
The opening of the skywalk is expected to ease congestion at Kalanagar Junction, a critical commercial hub that connects several parts of Mumbai. By separating pedestrian movement from vehicular traffic, authorities believe it will reduce accidents and improve overall road safety.
Local residents and office-goers have welcomed the development, calling it a long-overdue solution for safe commuting in the area. For thousands of daily commuters travelling between Bandra station, BKC and surrounding offices, the skywalk is set to save time while offering a safer and more comfortable walking experience.
The project also reflects a renewed focus on pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in Mumbai, a city where foot traffic often competes with dense vehicular movement. With improved connectivity, enhanced security and modern access facilities, the Bandra East skywalk is expected to become a vital link in the city’s urban mobility network.
