The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a citywide ‘pedestrian first’ campaign aimed at removing encroachments and improving walking infrastructure across Mumbai. Under the initial phase of the initiative, the civic body plans to clear obstructions from around 320 km of footpaths across the city.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has instructed civic officials to take immediate action against unauthorised hawkers, illegal structures and other obstacles blocking pedestrian pathways. The drive will also focus on improving footpath safety, accessibility and beautification.
According to the civic administration, nearly 50% of daily commuting in Mumbai is done on foot, making pedestrian movement and safety a key priority. Bhide has directed assistant municipal commissioners of all administrative wards to conduct daily monitoring of the campaign.
Deputy municipal commissioners will carry out weekly reviews at the zonal level and submit updates to additional municipal commissioners. The progress of the drive will be assessed every 15 days. Officials have also been asked to maintain daily reports along with photographs showing the condition of footpaths before and after the action.
As part of the campaign, the BMC will remove construction debris, discarded material, abandoned and improperly parked vehicles, garbage accumulation, uneven surfaces, unauthorised advertisement boards, hoardings and other physical barriers. Building features such as outward-opening doors and unauthorised ramps obstructing pedestrian movement will also be addressed.
However, some residents have called for consistent implementation of the initiative and urged authorities to ensure that the drive continues beyond an initial campaign.
Madhu Poplai, secretary of Pali Hill Residents Association in Bandra, said, “Don’t take the entire city in one go. Take a part and clear it of encroachments. Officials should prove to themselves that this is possible and not to us. This is a challenge for govt. Then, citizens will review it.”
Referring to the Pali market area, she alleged that vendors were operating outside designated zones.
Cyril Dara, secretary of Byculla Mumbai Residents Association, said the Mumbai Police and BMC had earlier conducted anti-encroachment drives in Agripada and Byculla West, but stressed that such efforts need to be carried out regularly.
Activist Bella Shah alleged that the stretch from Regal Cinema to Zero Pasta Lane in Colaba has been affected by encroachments by hawkers, vagrants and drug peddlers, creating difficulties for elderly citizens and women using the footpaths.
Source: The Times of India
