September 30, 2025: The death of a 75-year-old woman in August on Malabar Hill’s B G Kher Road has spurred residents of Nepeansea Road into action, demanding safer pedestrian infrastructure. The woman was trapped between a BEST bus and a parked car, an accident attributed to the absence of continuous footpaths.
In response, the Nepeansea Road Citizens’ Forum (NRCF) has taken an active role in monitoring ongoing road-concretisation works. The forum recently submitted a formal design blueprint to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), covering the 2.7 km stretch between Rungta Lane and Priyadarshini Park.
Nepeansea Road, a vital 1.74 km arterial route connecting Malabar Hill to Pedder Road, suffers from glaring pedestrian infrastructure gaps. Existing footpaths are either broken, discontinuous, or obstructed by hawkers, stalls, and even bus stops.
Architect Rahul Kadri, NRCF chairperson and designer of the new layout, criticised the road department’s focus on vehicles over pedestrians. “The road department never prioritises pedestrian walkways; its only priority is vehicular movement,” he said. Kadri also challenged the misconception that Indian Road Congress (IRC) rules restrict footpaths to 2.5 metres, noting that wider pathways up to 4.5 metres are permissible depending on traffic conditions.
He argued that Nepeansea Road could easily accommodate such designs, as traffic congestion arises primarily from illegal double- and triple-parking, not from road width. “If the road is narrow, the BMC must compromise on parking, not on footpaths,” he stressed.
The NRCF has been holding regular meetings with contractors and ward officers to inspect works and ensure accountability. Secretary Mukul Mehra added: “Citizen monitoring ensures timelines are respected and prevents slipshod work. Our aim is a continuous, walkable footpath that supports seniors, children, prams, and wheelchairs.”
A senior civic official confirmed that improvements are planned and said NRCF’s inputs will be incorporated once concreting resumes after the monsoon.
Source: Hindustan Times
