The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed housing societies, landowners and commercial establishments across Mumbai to remove unauthorised ramps and other encroachments from footpaths within one month, warning that failure to comply will invite strict action under municipal regulations.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said footpaths are meant exclusively for the safe and unobstructed movement of pedestrians and should not be occupied by ramps, commercial structures or any other obstructions.
The directive is part of the BMC’s ongoing ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, which aims to clear footpaths of illegal hawkers and encroachments to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility across the city.
As part of the initiative, Bhide inspected on Thursday, August 6, across several locations in the K West and P South wards, including Swami Vivekananda Marg, Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg, Bandu Gore Marg, Goregaon Railway Station Marg, Sheth Shri Devrajji Gundecha Chowk, Tomato Galli near Goregaon Station and Dudh Sagar Marg.
During the inspection, the Municipal Commissioner reviewed unauthorised ramps, commercial encroachments and other structures obstructing pedestrian movement. She instructed civic officials to ensure that footpaths are cleared immediately so that citizens can use them safely and without hindrance.
Senior civic officials, including Joint Commissioner (Zone-4) Dr Bhagyashree Kapse, Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner’s Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Commissioner (P West) Kundan Valvi and Assistant Commissioner (P South) Aniruddha Kulkarni, were present during the inspection.
Under the first phase of the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, the BMC plans to make 320 kilometres of footpaths in the K West ward free from encroachments. So far, 27 of the ward’s 355 routes have been identified, covering approximately 37.7 kilometres of footpaths for immediate action.
The civic body observed that ramps constructed by housing societies and property owners for vehicle access often block pedestrian pathways, forcing people to walk on roads. This particularly affects senior citizens, women, children and persons with disabilities, increasing the risk of accidents.
Commissioner Bhide directed property owners to remove such ramps and restore footpaths at their own expense within one month. She clarified that the BMC would initiate strict action against those failing to comply with the directive.
The inspection also identified roadside stalls occupying portions of footpaths and affecting pedestrian movement and traffic. Bhide instructed officials to explore alternative locations for such vendors while ensuring that public walkways remain free from obstructions and accessible to all citizens.
Source: Prahaar
