The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared nearly 68 km of footpaths across 81 stretches during the first 14 days of its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, aimed at removing encroachments and obstacles that disrupt pedestrian movement across Mumbai.
The civic body has identified 200 footpaths for action in the campaign’s first phase. Between August 1 and 14, officials conducted 337 eviction drives, demolishing 77 unauthorised structures and removing 112 illegal hawkers from pedestrian pathways.
The drives also resulted in the removal of 49 units of street furniture, 63 storage units, 27 shop boards, 14 signboards and 49 banners. Eight footpaths were repaired, while eight unauthorised parking areas occupying pedestrian space were cleared.
Focus on pedestrian safety
The BMC has said that nearly half of Mumbai’s daily journeys are made on foot, making accessible footpaths an important part of the city’s transport network. However, parked vehicles, hawkers, broken surfaces, ramps, storage material, hoardings and other obstructions often force pedestrians onto busy roads.
The civic body has also referred to the Mumbai Road Safety Annual Report 2023, which recorded pedestrians as accounting for 44% of road accident fatalities.
Priority under the campaign has been given to areas with high pedestrian activity, including railway and Metro stations, bus stops, hospitals, educational institutions, markets and religious sites.
Licensed vendors have been directed to remain within designated spaces. The campaign is also addressing unauthorised ramps, outward-opening gates, poorly maintained trees, damaged footpaths and uneven levels.
Monthly inspections planned
To prevent cleared spaces from being occupied again, the BMC plans to inspect at least 90% of footpaths in every ward each month. Assistant commissioners will conduct inspections, while weekly reports with before-and-after photographs will be submitted by ward offices.
Deputy municipal commissioners will verify the reports, followed by reviews every fortnight by the additional municipal commissioner.
Avinash Dhakne, additional municipal commissioner, Eastern Suburbs, said enforcement would continue even if obstructions are removed or hawkers return.
The BMC is also considering licence suspension against eligible hawkers who occupy more space than permitted. Citizen groups have welcomed the campaign but stressed that sustained enforcement will be necessary to keep footpaths accessible.
Source: Mumbai Live
