Archive · 28 Aug 2026
BMC Expands Pedestrian First Drive Across Mumbai’s Eastern Suburbs
Mumbai’s civic body is working to make walking easier in the city’s eastern suburbs.
Officials want to clear blocked footpaths near railway stations.
They will move or remove some hawking stalls and offer affected hawkers alternative places.
The plan covers roads in Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Ghatkopar.
Officials will also study traffic and bus operations near Bhandup station.
In Ghatkopar, several roads will be cleared of obstructions.
The BMC also wants to stop roadside dumping near Badwaik Hospital in Bhandup.
It plans to use waste-collection vehicles, bins, attendants, fines and CCTV surveillance.
The goal is to give pedestrians clearer paths and reduce garbage problems.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide ordered plans to clear footpaths and improve pedestrian access near eastern suburban railway stations.
The civic body identified 13 roads in Mulund and plans to make 20.50 kilometres of footpaths across 14 S Ward roads pedestrian-friendly.
BMC plans to relocate 94 hawking stalls near Bhandup station and remove stalls near Kanjurmarg station, with figures differing within the report.
Officials will regulate traffic and BEST bus operations around Bhandup station while providing affected hawkers alternative premises.
In Ghatkopar, encroachment action across five roads is expected to open about three kilometres of footpaths, alongside strengthened waste-management measures.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, led by Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, along with civic officials and affected hawkers.
- What
- The BMC is expanding its “Pedestrian First” campaign by clearing footpath obstructions, relocating stalls, improving traffic management and addressing roadside dumping.
- When
- The campaign updates and ground inspections were reported on August 27, 2026; the inspections took place on Thursday.
- Where
- Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, including Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Ghatkopar, particularly around railway stations.
- Why
- To create unobstructed pedestrian routes, improve access to railway stations and reduce encroachments and garbage-vulnerable points.
- Municipal commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide directed officials during three-hour ground visits in T, S and N wards.
- Footpath target
- 20.50 kilometres across 14 roads in S Ward are planned to be made pedestrian-friendly.
- Mulund action
- Thirteen roads in T Ward have been identified for footpath clearance and encroachment removal.
- Bhandup station
- The BMC plans to streamline BEST bus operations and traffic while relocating 94 hawking stalls to alternative premises.
- Kanjurmarg station
- The report initially cites 77 stalls for relocation, while a later section says 24 stalls will be removed.
- Ghatkopar action
- Encroachment-removal work on five roads is planned to make about three kilometres of footpaths available.
- Waste-management model
- Near Badwaik Hospital in Bhandup, dedicated collection vehicles, bins, attendants, counselling and intensified collection eliminated a garbage-vulnerable point.