The 605-metre skywalk with 145-metre pathway is expected to reduce trespassing on rail tracks and related accidents. Built parallel to rail lines between Thane and Kalwa, over the riverbed, the skywalk will provide direct access close to the station. Commuters from Thane station, living in Vitawa and north east of Thane, usually walk along the tracks to reach their destination. Hence, this skywalk was first conceived.

The skywalk was first proposed by former Central Railway general manager Subodh Jain around 2012, after a study found that people from small townships like Vitawa and Kopri have to commute via rail tracks on the creek bridge between Thane and Kalwa in the absence of a safer option. Thane is among the top three stations where most deaths happen due to accidents. “The skywalk would really be a boon for commuters like us who walk the distance from the station because of no proper access,” local resident Hari Patil said.

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Advocate Prakash Ranganathan from Thane suggested that the skywalk be linked to other foot overbridges. “The Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme project that involves building an elevated road to decongest the station’s circulating area is currently on in Thane East, and this skywalk should be merged with it for better connectivity,” he said. The project cost Rs 23.25 crore, and is being built by the MMRDA.