The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed 15 unauthorised stalls from footpaths in Byculla as part of its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, aimed at creating obstruction-free and continuous walking spaces across Mumbai.
Of the stalls removed, 13 were located along the footpath connecting Mumbai Central railway station to Nair Hospital, while two were found on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road. The civic body also identified 27 stallholders on the Mumbai Central-Nair Hospital stretch who had allegedly occupied more space than they were allotted. Notices have been issued to all 27.
The enforcement drive also included improvements to pedestrian infrastructure. Tree basins around 21 trees along the Mumbai Central-Nair Hospital route were repaired, while branches of some trees were pruned.
The campaign is being implemented across Mumbai under the guidance of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and in line with Supreme Court directions to remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments from footpaths. The Byculla action was led by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 1) Chanda Jadhav and Assistant Commissioner Anand Kankal.
260-Metre Footpath Upgraded Near Nair Hospital
The BMC repaired and improved approximately 260 metres of footpath along Dr Anand Rao Nair Road near Nair Hospital. The stretch has an average width of 3.75 metres, of which about 2.15 metres has been made available for unobstructed pedestrian movement.
The area witnesses heavy pedestrian traffic from patients, visitors, hospital employees and other citizens. Removing the 13 unauthorised stalls is expected to make walking along the route more convenient.
435-Metre Stretch on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road Improved
Another 435-metre section of footpath along Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road was repaired and improved. The route connects Byculla East railway station with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Central Railway Hospital and Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo.
The footpath averages 3.25 metres in width, with around 1.50 metres now available as a continuous walking corridor. Two unauthorised stalls were removed from this stretch.
The BMC said the Byculla operation is part of a wider citywide effort to reclaim pedestrian space, improve footpath conditions and ensure that public walkways remain accessible to residents and visitors.
Source: Mid-day
