Lonavla to get Rs 333cr skywalk akin to one in Arizona's Grand Canyon

PUNE: Arizona's Grand Canyon skywalk is set to come closer home.

The high-powered committee of the state government has cleared PMRDA's plan for a glass skywalk in Lonavla.

"To be built on the lines of the one in Arizona's Grand Canyon, the skywalk will connect the iconic Lion's Point with Tiger Point at the hill station. It is expected to cost Rs 333.57 crore," a senior official of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) said.

Built in 2007, the Grand Canyon skywalk in Arizona gives visitors the feeling of walking on air. Towering 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon, the skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass walkway.

The official said the project would be ready within two-and-a-half years, according to the current plan.

"The work is expected to commence in March next year. The project is expected to be completed by June 2026," the official said.

While the PMRDA would be the executing authority for the project, the state tourism department would fund it, PMRDA officials said.

The official said, "The high-powered committee cleared the proposal last week. The committee comprised chief secretary, the planning and finance department heads, and officials of the tourism department," the official said.

PMRDA chief engineer Ashok Bhalkar, who readied the skywalk proposal, confirmed that the glass skywalk proposed in Lonavla will be on the lines of the Grand Canyon skywalk.

"Tenders will be floated for both local and international bidders," he said.

The entire development will be executed at Kurwande village in Lonavla, which falls under the PMRDA limits.

"The entire project will be spanning an area of 15 hectares. It will include a 90-metre long and 6-metre wide bridge connecting Lion's Point with the Tiger Point. A separate 125-metre long and 6-metre wide glass skywalk will also come up. With the tourism department lacking the expertise, PMRDA officials were directed to execute the project," another PMRDA official said.

The project, besides the skywalk, will promote adventure sports such as zip lining and bungee jumping.

A food park, ample parking facilities and an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 1,000 spectators are part of the plan.

"The project will also include light shows, and other engaging activities. The timeline for the project's completion is targeted within three years, reflecting a concerted effort to expedite the development of these iconic locations," the official said.

As the infrastructure takes shape, Lonavla is poised to emerge as a sought-after tourist destination, offering a blend of natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping experiences, the official added.

He said the introduction of the Lonavla glass skywalk will be a strategic move to attract tourists to the location. "Known for its picturesque settings and proximity to major urban centres like Mumbai and Pune, Lonavla is the ideal location for this initiative," the official added.