The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stepped up efforts to improve pedestrian access, clear footpaths and strengthen cleanliness measures across Mumbai under its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign. On Wednesday, civic commissioner Ashwini Bhide inspected several locations and directed officials to address encroachments, improve road maintenance and enhance waste management.
The inspection covered areas in Worli and Santacruz, including GL Loader Chowky on Senapati Bapat Marg, Adarsh Nagar Road, Tilak Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road and the road near Vile Parle station. Bhide also visited Dr VN Shirodkar Maternity Hospital to review its facilities.
Encroachments and shop relocation
During her visit to Santacruz West, Bhide instructed officials to clear footpaths and remove encroachments in phases to ensure pedestrians can move without obstruction. She also called for dangling cables to be removed from the skywalk and regular cleaning of road dividers.
The civic body is preparing to relocate authorised shops at multiple locations in H West Ward. These include 86 shops on Kanhubai Desai Road, 82 on Mahatma Gandhi Road, establishments occupied by 50 vegetable vendors and 14 shops on Lokmanya Tilak Road.
Road widening near Santacruz station
The BMC plans to widen Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road between Vakola Junction and Santacruz railway station in H East Ward to the approved width of 36.60 metres (120 feet). Officials have issued 28 notices to acquire open spaces on adjoining properties. As part of the plan, 89 authorised shops near the station will be shifted to nearby locations, while 21 unauthorised shops have already been removed.
Road cleanliness and hospital facilities
At Adarsh Nagar Road in Worli, Bhide reviewed footpath repairs and instructed staff to improve pedestrian safety and remove garbage accumulating beneath parked vehicles.
At GL Loader Chowky, she examined garbage collection vehicles, waste-covering arrangements and road-cleaning equipment, including brushes used to clear dust.
At Dr VN Shirodkar Maternity Hospital, Bhide assessed medicine availability, childbirth facilities and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is expected to become operational shortly. Medical officers also explained the computerised systems used to manage patient records and medicine inventories.
The inspections form part of the BMC’s wider drive to improve walkability, road hygiene and civic services across Mumbai.
Source: Mid-day
