Worli residents facing difficulties walking along the stretch connecting their neighbourhood to Sewri and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) have received some relief. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has instructed the contractor constructing the elevated connector to create a temporary pedestrian pathway within 30 days.
The decision follows complaints about the absence of a designated footpath along the section from Sacred Heart School in Worli to Century Bazaar in Prabhadevi. With construction continuing for the past three to four years, pedestrians have been compelled to walk outside barricaded work zones, exposed to moving vehicles and construction activity.
“For the past three to four years, we have been living with this problem. There was no proper provision for pedestrians despite the construction continuing for such a long time,” said resident Rekha Paul.
Another resident, Vaibhav Warlikar, had raised concerns about the lack of safe access for pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren and senior citizens. “With no temporary footpath provided along the stretch, schoolchildren, senior citizens and other pedestrians were forced to walk outside the construction barricades, putting their lives at risk amid moving traffic and construction-related activity,” said Warlikar.
Following the complaints, MMRDA officials inspected the affected area alongside residents on October 23. The authority subsequently confirmed that it had taken note of the concerns and directed the contractor to make temporary arrangements.
As part of the proposed measures, a footpath measuring approximately one to 1.5 metres in width will be developed after the completion of ACB work on a ramp along Narayan Hardikar Marg. Protective railings will also be installed wherever required to improve pedestrian safety.
The authority is additionally exploring the possibility of using a portion of the BEST depot’s setback area to secure extra space for a footpath along an approximately 40-metre stretch. This will require coordination with the relevant department and necessary approvals.
Once the additional space is secured, the MMRDA plans to work towards establishing a continuous and safer pedestrian pathway on the left-hand side of the road.
Source: Mid-day
