2 weeks ago
BMC clears 68 km footpaths, 443 encroachment actions taken
In Mumbai, a very big city in India, there are many people who walk on sidewalks, which are called footpaths.
The BMC is the organization that takes care of Mumbai.
Sometimes, people put shops, signs, boxes, and other things on the footpaths, which makes it hard for walkers.
The BMC started a special program called 'Pedestrians First' to clean the footpaths.
So far, it has cleaned about 68 kilometers of footpaths and taken action 443 times.
It removed 77 structures and 112 shops that were not allowed, along with signs, boards, and other things in the way.
The BMC says it will keep checking the footpaths every month so that they stay clean.
This matters because many pedestrians get hurt in Mumbai when they cannot walk safely on the footpath.
Some people say the clean-up may only be temporary, because the shops and things may come back, so they want the BMC to keep watching carefully.
The BMC has cleared nearly 68 km of footpaths and initiated 443 enforcement actions under its 'Pedestrians First' drive.
The first phase targets 200 footpaths, with work underway on 81 connecting stations, schools, hospitals and other high-footfall areas.
Between August 1 and 14, the BMC took 337 actions, removing 77 unauthorised structures and 112 unauthorised hawkers.
The BMC plans to inspect at least 90% of footpaths in every ward monthly and address MARG Portal complaints within prescribed timeframes.
Critics, including Dhaval Shah of LOCA and Vinod Gholap of Fight for Right Foundation, warn that encroachers may return without sustained centralised enforcement.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with criticism from Dhaval Shah of LOCA and Vinod Gholap of Fight for Right Foundation.
- What
- Cleared nearly 68 km of footpaths and initiated 443 enforcement actions under the 'Pedestrians First' drive to remove encroachments and obstructions.
- Where
- Mumbai, India, including G/North Ward along S. K. Bole Road and Bhavani Shankar Road.
- When
- Most actions took place between August 1 and 14, with the G/North Ward drive held on a Sunday; continuous monitoring is planned going forward.
- Why
- To ensure safer, continuous and accessible pedestrian movement; pedestrians accounted for 44% of Mumbai's road accident fatalities in 2023.
BMC (Civic Body)
Critics and Activists
Will footpaths stay clear?
BMC (Civic Body)
The BMC says it will continuously monitor footpaths, inspect at least 90% of footpaths in every ward monthly, and take strict legal action against repeat violations.
Critics and Activists
Dhaval Shah of LOCA says encroachers removed in the morning often return by evening, so a centralised squad should handle enforcement instead of ward-level officials.
Trust in enforcement
BMC (Civic Body)
The BMC relies on Assistant Commissioners, weekly ward-level reports with before-and-after photographs, and Deputy and Additional Commissioner verification to ensure accountability.
Critics and Activists
Critics allege possible collusion between some ward officials and hawkers, and Vinod Gholap of Fight for Right Foundation says repeated drives are pointless if encroachers return once enforcement teams leave.
Key facts
- Drive name
- Pedestrians First
- Footpaths cleared
- Nearly 68 km
- Enforcement actions
- 443
- Actions taken Aug 1-14
- 337
- Unauthorised structures removed
- 77
- Unauthorised hawkers removed
- 112
- Footpaths targeted in phase 1
- 200 (work underway on 81)
- Pedestrians in 2023 road fatalities
- 44%
Quotes
Civic official
A BMC official explaining enforcement measures
“"While the action against encroachments is certainly welcome, the real challenge lies in ensuring that the footpaths remain encroachment‑free permanently. Repeated drives will serve little purpose if the encroachers are allowed to return once the enforcement teams leave. The authorities must put in place sustained monitoring and strict enforcement to prevent the problem from recurring."”
freepressjournal.in
“"Along with clearing unauthorised hawkers, licensed vendors have been directed to operate strictly within their designated areas, with stock, signboards and display materials kept within prescribed limits."”
freepressjournal.in
Dhaval Shah
Representative of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Residents Association
“"Such drives are only temporary. Encroachers removed in the morning often return to the same spot by evening. Therefore, the action should be carried out by a centralised squad rather than ward‑level officials, particularly given allegations of involvement or collusion between some ward officials and hawkers."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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