After missing the deadline twice, the skywalk to Dakshineswar temple will finally be thrown open to devotees and tourists before the Pujas.
“The skywalk or pedestrian bridge will be made operational only after we get clearance from RITES and it is expected that the entire process would be completed by August-September,” said urban development minister Firad Hakim at the Writers’ Buildings on Thursday.
The agency entrusted to construct the flyover missed its deadline twice and the project got delayed, said a source.
According to sources, a through checking is being conducted on the quality of iron and welding following which many material had to be replaced.
Mr. Hakim said that RITES directed not to rush with the project as it would not approve the skywalk for operation before a thorough checking. “Yesterday the concerned agency had informed in court that theys will complete the project by July. In the wake of that, we will apply for ‘public use and safety certificate’ from RITES, which is a third party entrusted with conducting the safety and quality check,” said Mr Hakim.
It is only after RITES says that the skywalk is fit for human use and that it will be able to handle such a huge footfall that we can throw it open for the public, said Mr Hakim. “We have to get all the security aspects checked and certified. If RITES gives us clearance in July then we will approach chief minister Mamata Banerjee for a date to inaugurate it. But if RITES takes time to conduct the safety check then we cannot ask it to expedite as the process has to be done thoroughly. The escalators, elevators and stairs would also have to be checked,” he added.
The footfall at Dakshineswar temple is likely to go up once the skywalk becomes operational. The skywalk will connect the railway station and bus stop to the main gate of the temple.
The 10.5 metre-wide skywalk aims to provide a dynamic solution to the site’s problems. “It will connect the nearby traffic rotary with the gates of the temple compound, with 12 escalators, four elevators, and eight staircases allowing users to embark and disembark,” said a source.
“The Rs 65 crore project will resolve a lot of traffic problems. Once the skywalk is complete, approaching the temple from the Dakshineswar island would become convenient for pedestrians as well as those coming in vehicles,” he added.