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The BMC has launched a city-wide ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to clear all kinds of obstructions from footpaths by removing garbage, unauthorized hawkers and encroachments, while also undertaking measures for beautification and pedestrian safety.
Under the guidance of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, the first phase of the drive will cover 320 km of footpaths. Ward officers have been instructed to remove encroachments without any delay. According to the civic body, nearly 50% of Mumbai’s commuters use footpaths, making pedestrian safety a top priority.The campaign will target unauthorized hawkers, debris, abandoned or improperly parked vehicles, garbage piles, uneven surfaces, unauthorized advertisement boards and hoardings.
Ashwini Bhide has instructed all assistant commissioners of administrative wards to conduct daily reviews of the drive, while deputy commissioners have been asked to carry out weekly zonal reviews and submit reports to the additional municipal commissioners. The progress will be reviewed every 15 days by comparing before-and-after photographs of the drive.
Tree branches overhanging public places will be trimmed. New footpaths will be constructed using standard designs with M-40 grade concrete, paver blocks and stamped concrete barriers.
Activist Bella Shah alleged that the entire stretch from Regal Cinema to Zero Pasta Lane in Colaba has been encroached upon by hawkers, vagrants and drug peddlers, making it unsafe for elderly citizens and women to use the footpaths.
Urich Kamath, co-convenor of the MNCDF Citizen Welfare Forum, said the policy had existed for a long time but had not been implemented effectively. “The civic body seems to have relaunched the policy, so we will have to see what changes this brings about. The grievance redressal mechanism has to be robust to ensure this policy is implemented effectively,” he said.
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