Universal footpaths & city’s walkability are top priority

Mumbai: The BMC budget has prioritised pedestrians and the improvement of footpaths to provide a solution to perennial complaints over the lack of seamless and quality pavements in several localities of the city.
BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said, "Walkability of Mumbai footpaths is a topic of growing importance as the city is continuously improving its infrastructure. Walkability of the city involves the condition of footpaths, width of footpaths, safety concerns, accessibility, routine maintenance, etc. Pedestrian-friendly footpaths encourage walkability of the city, which helps improve health, reduces dependency on vehicles, and helps in decongestion of traffic." He further said the BMC was "majorly focusing on creating more liveable, pedestrian-friendly and differently-abled-friendly footpaths". For that, a ‘Universal Footpath Policy' has been already formulated and proposed to be implemented in Greater Mumbai, he added.
Activists said the "ground reality" is in several parts of the city, footpaths are either in a bad condition or missing. AGNI trustee Zahida Banatwala said, "We have been complaining for nearly two decades to the BMC to improve footpaths and remove encroachments." She said despite promises made in civic budgets, the condition of pavements is unchanged. "At some places, the civic body has made superior quality footpaths, but they are fully encroached upon."
Pedestrian activist Vidyadhar Date said the absence of proper footpaths has even led to fatal mishaps. "I was recently walking towards the collector's office in Bandra East and was surprised not to find a footpath on a particular stretch with speeding traffic," he said, adding footpaths are a basic right of pedestrians.
In the budget two years ago, the civic body had made a provision of Rs 200 crore for creating pedestrian facilities with well-designed footpaths for citizen safety. The BMC's roads department had then empanelled urban road designers for these footpaths.
Mumbai: The BMC budget has prioritised pedestrians and the improvement of footpaths to provide a solution to perennial complaints over the lack of seamless and quality pavements in several localities of the city.
BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said, "Walkability of Mumbai footpaths is a topic of growing importance as the city is continuously improving its infrastructure. Walkability of the city involves the condition of footpaths, width of footpaths, safety concerns, accessibility, routine maintenance, etc. Pedestrian-friendly footpaths encourage walkability of the city, which helps improve health, reduces dependency on vehicles, and helps in decongestion of traffic." He further said the BMC was "majorly focusing on creating more liveable, pedestrian-friendly and differently-abled-friendly footpaths". For that, a ‘Universal Footpath Policy' has been already formulated and proposed to be implemented in Greater Mumbai, he added.
Activists said the "ground reality" is in several parts of the city, footpaths are either in a bad condition or missing. AGNI trustee Zahida Banatwala said, "We have been complaining for nearly two decades to the BMC to improve footpaths and remove encroachments." She said despite promises made in civic budgets, the condition of pavements is unchanged. "At some places, the civic body has made superior quality footpaths, but they are fully encroached upon."
Pedestrian activist Vidyadhar Date said the absence of proper footpaths has even led to fatal mishaps. "I was recently walking towards the collector's office in Bandra East and was surprised not to find a footpath on a particular stretch with speeding traffic," he said, adding footpaths are a basic right of pedestrians.
In the budget two years ago, the civic body had made a provision of Rs 200 crore for creating pedestrian facilities with well-designed footpaths for citizen safety. The BMC's roads department had then empanelled urban road designers for these footpaths.