Mumbai: BMC has launched a citywide ‘pedestrian first’ campaign that seeks to clear footpaths of all kinds of obstructions. Under the first phase, encroachments on 320km of footpaths will be removed.BMC chief Ashwini Bhide directed civic officials to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers, encroachments and other obstacles, besides undertaking measures for beautification and safety.According to the civic body, nearly 50% of daily travel in Mumbai is undertaken on foot, making pedestrian safety a top priority.Bhide 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, who will review the progress every 15 days. Daily progress reports are to be reviewed, along with ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos.Construction material, debris, abandoned or improperly parked vehicles, accumulated garbage, uneven surfaces, unauthorised advertisement boards, hoardings, outward-opening building doors, non-compliant high ramps and other physical obstructions installed on footpaths have to be removed.Some citizens said BMC officials need to walk the talk with sustained action against encroachments. 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.” Citing the case of Pali market, she alleged that vendors were operating outside the zone.Cyril Dara, secretary of Byculla Mumbai Residents Association, said that the Mumbai Police and the BMC had carried out anti-encroachment drives and cleared roads in Agripada and Byculla West, but such action needs to be undertaken regularly.Activist Bella Shah alleged that the entire stretch from Regal Cinema to Zero Pasta Lane in Colaba had been encroached upon by hawkers, vagrants and drug peddlers, making it unsafe for elderly citizens and women to use the footpaths.
