The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has accelerated its efforts to improve pedestrian infrastructure across Mumbai, floating more than 15 tenders for footpath repairs and upgrades within days of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide launching the civic body’s ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign.
Between August 3 and 7, various ward offices invited bids for works across areas including Matunga, Mahim, Mulund, Andheri, Borivali and other parts of the city. The projects, collectively valued at more than Rs 50 lakh, are aimed at making footpaths safer, more accessible and easier to use.
The proposed works include widening pedestrian paths, repairing damaged sections, replacing unsuitable paver blocks, laying fresh cement concrete, resetting kerbs and repairing water tables. The plans also include creating open spaces around trees, constructing water inlets, installing pedestrian direction markers and shifting street furniture that obstructs pedestrian movement.
The tenders follow directions issued by BMC headquarters to prioritise pedestrian infrastructure as part of the ‘Pedestrian First’ policy.
Bhide Reviews Vile Parle Footpaths
On Thursday, Bhide inspected footpaths along Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekananda Road in Vile Parle. The stretches were identified as important pedestrian routes due to their use by patients and visitors to Cooper Hospital, ambulances, college students and daily commuters.
According to the BMC, 27 roads covering 37.7 km in the K-West ward have been identified for encroachment removal under the campaign.
“All Assistant Municipal Commissioners have been directed to conduct daily reviews of the campaign in their respective wards, while Deputy Municipal Commissioners will carry out weekly zonal reviews and submit detailed progress reports.”
A senior civic official said, “These works are being undertaken at the ward level either based on directions from headquarters or local requirements. During repairs, all wards have been instructed to follow the Universal Footpath Policy (Pedestrian First Policy) guidelines.”
In F North ward, works are planned at locations including NS Mankikar Road, Sion Talav Garden, Sion Koliwada and Sardar Nagar. In T ward, footpath upgrades are planned near RRT Road in Mulund and Ratna Super Market.
K-West ward will see work on MA Road in Andheri West, while selected locations in Kandivli West are covered under R-South ward.
The Pedestrian First initiative seeks to create wider, obstruction-free, accessible and safer footpaths across Mumbai, while addressing encroachments and poorly placed street furniture.
Source: Mid-day
