No bidder for Lonavala skywalk project; Ajit Pawar orders redesign, new implementation model
on Wednesday, a senior district administration official said.
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Pawar, who chaired a review meeting of the project monitoring committee, said there was lack of interest from bidders in the current public-private partnership model and instructed officials to submit a fresh proposal. Despite floating tenders twice, including international bids, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) failed to find even one taker, said the official, who attended the meeting.
A redesigned plan is expected to be submitted to state govt next month. "The new plan may include a viability gap funding model to push the project forward," a senior official said.
Pune collector Jitendra Dudi told TOI that a design will be finalised only after a financial feasibility study. "The district collector office is working with PMRDA on it. We have appointed a MITRA consultant for the study, and after it is done, an express of interest will be invited," he said.
While land acquisition — including forest land and private plots — has made some headway, the delay in finalising the design has pushed back the construction timeline. Originally slated for completion in June 2027, officials now say the deadline may be extended further.
The redesign will be handled by the appointed agency. Internal construction work, which was scheduled to begin shortly, will also be postponed until the new model is approved.
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Officials said that weather challenges and complex engineering requirements further complicate the timeline.
To support the project, PMRDA has proposed major infrastructure upgrades, including the widening of the 11-km A1 Chikki–skywalk stretch and a new elevated freeway between Mulshi and Lonavala. "The skywalk is not just a tourism project; it is a transformative infrastructure initiative for the region," a PMRDA official said.
"The revised approach is aimed at making the project financially viable and aligned with state's vision for global-standard tourism hubs.
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The skywalk, inspired by Grand Canyon structure in Arizona, is planned to be 125 metres long and 6 metres wide, with a 90-metre-long adjoining bridge. It will feature a rooftop café, adventure sports zone, a 1,000-seat amphitheatre, and parking for over 3,500 vehicles.
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