Why Has Construction of Noida's First Skywalk, Linking Sector 51 and 52, Been Halted? Check New Deadline

Noida: The construction of Noida's first skywalk, intended to connect Sector 51 and Sector 52 metro stations, has been temporarily halted due to increased costs and time constraints. According to officials from the Noida Authority, around 60 percent of the project has been completed so far. Work on the skywalk began last year, three years after the Noida Authority decided to move forward with the project, as per a . However, the construction agency, Iqbal Construction, recently requested an increase in costs and an additional two months to complete the project, a request that was not approved by the authority, leading to the suspension of the project.Initially, the skywalk was planned to be 425 metres long, but it has now been extended to 465 metres. This change came after a design revision that will see the skywalk connected to the right side of the Sector 52 metro station instead of the left, as originally planned. This adjustment will require shifting existing electrical and sewage lines, which will further increase both the cost and time required for the project. Originally, the cost of the project was estimated at ₹9.01 crore, but with the changes, the cost could now rise to ₹14 crore.

Deadline Extended to December 2024In addition to civil construction, the installation of travelators by the electricity department is also underway. So far, six out of ten travelators have been installed. Initially, the project was slated for completion in September 2024, but the construction agency has now requested an extension until the end of December. If work resumes, officials estimate that it will take another three to four months to finish the project. The construction began in January 2023, and the original contract was supposed to be completed by October 2023, but delays have slowed progress. Work to Resume SoonTo ease the commute between the two metro stations, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has been providing free e-rickshaws for passengers. However, these services have not been consistently available, forcing many commuters to walk. Officials have assured the public that they plan to approve the additional costs and time soon, allowing construction to resume and the skywalk to be completed.