Surat: Skywalk textile market in the works

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 24, 2018

Work is about to begin on phase one of a network to connect 50 of Surat’s textile markets by a skywalk that could transform the city’s textile industry.

The project management committee of the Surat Skywalk development project have given the go ahead to begin phase one of building construction at a meeting headed by standing committee Chairman and Chief of Smart City Development Ltd (SCDL), Rajesh Desai. The project is expected to cost 57 crore rupees (approximately 8.5 million US dollars) and is set to be completed in three phases. Following this meeting, phase one should begin within the next two months.

The Skywalk will comprise of a 7 metre-high, 5.5 metre-wide walkway that will allow people to travel between the city’s many textile markets with ease. This should be a large boost to the city’s textile industry as business will run smoother and business interactions will be increased. When completed, the Skywalk should cover 50 different textile markets over a 2.83 kilometre area in the industry hub. An estimated 2.5 lakh people are expected to use the walkway everyday upon project completion.

Phase one of construction is expected to cost 14 crore rupees (approximately 2.1 million dollars). This initial construction phase aims to cover the rear portion of the area up to Salasar Hanuman Temple. The final length of the walkway will be 2.23 kilometres.

“Tenders would be floated for the first phase of the project covering nearly 1km area in the coming week,” said M Nagrajan, the Special Commissioner for Smart Cityproject. “The work should start within two months’ time.”