Residents of Kharghar and Taloja are calling for urgent improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, urging authorities to treat footpaths as an essential public utility rather than an afterthought. They say damaged walkways, encroachments and poor maintenance continue to compromise pedestrian safety across several parts of Navi Mumbai.
As concerns over neglected footpaths gain attention across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, residents pointed to deteriorating conditions in key areas of Kharghar, particularly around Shilp Chowk, CIDCO Central Park and the stretch from Raghunath Vihar in Sector 14. Cracked paving blocks, uneven surfaces and inadequate upkeep have made walking increasingly difficult, especially during the monsoon.
Rainwater accumulation on damaged footpaths further worsens the situation by concealing broken surfaces, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
“The condition of the footpath has deteriorated considerably over the years. Uneven paving and visible cracks make every walk a cautious one,” said Abhishek Jha, a resident.
In neighbouring Taloja, residents highlighted a different challenge. Around Pethali Metro station, footpaths are frequently obstructed by encroachments and vegetable vendors, forcing pedestrians to walk on busy roads alongside moving vehicles.
“Well-maintained footpaths are a direct reflection of how seriously municipal authorities respect public safety and public health. Citizens, too, must not ignore their fundamental right to walk, which the Supreme Court has recently reaffirmed as an integral constitutional right. Neglected footpaths are not merely an infrastructure issue — they are a governance and citizens’ rights issue,” said advocate Gautam Mayekar, a Kharghar resident.
Fatma Bharde, citizen and journalist, stressed that cities must prioritise walkability rather than merely constructing footpaths.
“The objective shouldn’t be merely to construct footpaths, but to ensure they are safe, continuous, accessible, and truly walkable. A footpath is a city’s lifeline for pedestrians and a citizen’s right. Even an imperfect footpath is better than having no footpath at all, which remains the reality in many parts of Taloja,” said Bharde.
Source: Mid-day
