June 28, 2025: As Mumbai unveils a series of newly constructed road bridges, residents and urban planners are raising serious concerns about the systematic exclusion of pedestrian infrastructure. Recent structures such as the Vikhroli Road Bridge, the Reay Road Bridge, and the soon-to-be-opened Carnac Bridge have all drawn criticism for being built without proper footpaths or dividers, despite replacing older, British-era bridges that had clearly designated pedestrian spaces.
The lack of footpaths is not only inconvenient but dangerous, forcing pedestrians to walk perilously close to high-speed traffic. Vedant Mhatre, Programme Director of the Walking Project, described it as a significant lapse in planning. He explained that the issue often arises at the design stage, where pedestrian needs are overlooked. When the problem is later recognised, authorities respond with makeshift solutions such as plastic barricades or narrow guardrails, which fail to address the core issue.
Mhatre also pointed out the irony in Mumbai’s approach. While cities around the world are redesigning streets to prioritise pedestrians, Mumbai is reducing walkable areas to favour vehicles—even in situations where road width constraints don’t justify it. He argued that this trend stands in stark contradiction to the city’s own ‘Pedestrian First’ policy, adding, “We must stop designing for the 11 per cent who drive and instead focus on the 51 per cent who walk.”
Echoing this concern, author and activist Savitha Rao questioned why Mumbai should settle for subpar infrastructure. “Cities like London, Singapore, and Tokyo treat pedestrian access as non-negotiable. If Mumbai wants to be world-class, it must prioritise people over vehicles.”
Despite assurances from civic officials that pedestrian planning remains a priority, the absence of footpaths on multiple major bridges has left citizens sceptical—and increasingly vocal.
Source: Mid-day
