October 30, 2025: For residents of Santacruz, losing footpaths to never-ending civic projects has become a recurring ordeal. What was once a convenient walking stretch for hundreds of pedestrians has turned into a chaotic mix of debris, cables, and open drains. The latest disruption involves a pavement in the heart of the suburb, reportedly dug up for sewage treatment plant (STP) work.
“Every time they break something, they say it’s temporary. But we have seen how long ‘temporary’ lasts in Mumbai,” said local resident Ajit Ajgaonkar, who uses the road daily. “It’s been several weeks since the footpath on one side of Road No. 3 has been dug up for STP work. And today, they began demolishing a footpath on Road No. 1, which connects to Road No. 3 — now both streets have walkways only on one side, and even those are blocked by parked vehicles.”
The dismantled stretch lies along a busy internal road linking to the Western Express Highway. “Morning and evening hours are chaotic. Cars, two-wheelers, and tempos all pass through a single lane while people walk on the edge of the road. One wrong step, and it could be a disaster,” said Rupa Badkar, another resident.
Locals also criticised the BMC’s work sequencing. “Firstly, the current road is in good shape. Secondly, they said they would do drainage work, make footpaths, and then begin concreting, which does not make sense. Also, they haven’t displayed mandatory details like project timelines or contractor information,” Ajgaonkar added.
With a new BMC school coming up nearby, residents fear for student safety. “How can you build a school but not ensure a safe walkway for children?” questioned Vivek Prajapati, a resident.
A BMC official stated, “The footpaths have been temporarily removed. Once the work is completed, the pathways will be reconstructed.” However, residents remain skeptical, citing repeated unfulfilled assurances.
Source: Mid-day
