07 August,2026 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Hours after responding to mid-day’s questions on pedestrian safety, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide inspected footpaths along Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekananda (SV) Road in Vile Parle (West) on Thursday. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Ahead of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide's first major policy push, mid-day sought her views on some of Mumbai's most pressing civic issues - safer footpaths, implementation of the civic body's 'Pedestrian First' policy, encroachments by hawkers, the Rs 13,000-crore flood mitigation master plan, and the future of the 10 per cent water cut imposed on May 15 despite improving lake levels.
In an exclusive response to mid-day, Bhide outlined the BMC's plan to implement its 'Pedestrian First' campaign in a mission-mode approach. The first phase will focus on clearing encroachments from 320 km of footpaths, followed by the removal of unauthorised hawkers and other obstructions to create safer, uninterrupted pedestrian corridors.
On Mumbai's proposed Rs 13,000-crore Integrated Flood Control Master Plan, which was submitted to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for funding in late 2025, Bhide said the project would require coordinated funding from the Centre, the state government and the BMC to strengthen the city's resilience against extreme weather events.
Excerpts from the interview.
Pedestrian First: What are the key initiatives BMC plans to undertake under your tenure to improve pedestrian safety?
With the objective of ensuring that Mumbaikars can walk safely, conveniently and without obstruction, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implementing the 'Pedestrian First' campaign in mission mode.
As part of the first phase, encroachments will be removed from 320 km of footpaths across the city.
What about hawkers and other obstructions?
All unauthorised hawkers, encroachments and other obstructions on footpaths will be removed to ensure pedestrian pathways remain completely obstruction-free. Simultaneously, measures to improve footpaths, enhance their appearance and strengthen pedestrian safety will be taken up on priority.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. File pic/Ashish Raje
Residents often complain about narrow footpaths and lack of walking space. How will this be addressed?
Road concreting work is underway under the pothole-free roads project.
As part of this initiative, wider footpaths are being constructed. Instructions have also been issued to ensure these footpaths remain free from encroachments and unauthorised hawkers.
All assistant municipal commissioners have been directed to review the campaign daily in their respective wards, while deputy municipal commissioners will conduct weekly zonal reviews and submit progress reports to the additional municipal commissioners.
BMC has proposed a Rs 13,000 crore flood mitigation plan. What does it involve?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has prepared a Rs 13,000-crore Integrated Flood Control Master Plan to provide Mumbai with a long-term solution to urban flooding.
The plan has been prepared with technical support from the Government of India, IIT Bombay and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
What does the plan include?
The master plan adopts a holistic approach by strengthening:
>> Stormwater drainage infrastructure
>> Flood management systems
>> Flood-prone locations
>> Coastal resilience
>> Disaster preparedness against climate change
The project aims to reduce flood risk during intense rainfall by upgrading existing infrastructure, introducing advanced flood-management technologies, improving water discharge systems and enhancing the city's overall disaster preparedness.
It is expected to provide a long-term framework for protecting lives, public infrastructure, residential areas, commercial establishments and other critical services from flooding.
How will it be funded?
A collaborative funding model has been proposed:
>> 40%: National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF)
>> 30%: Government of Maharashtra
>> 30%: BMC
The funding model reflects the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre, the state government and the civic administration to make Mumbai more resilient to extreme weather events.
BMC imposed a 10 per cent water cut on May 15 due to forecasts of a weak monsoon. With lake levels now close to full, what is the way forward?
As of August 5, 2026, Mumbai's seven lakes supplying drinking water were 88.93 per cent full.
Good rainfall during July has significantly improved water storage levels, and similar weather conditions are expected through August and September.
Although reservoir levels are satisfactory, the BMC appeals to citizens to continue using water judiciously and avoid wastage.
Hours after responding to mid-day's questions on pedestrian safety, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide inspected footpaths along Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekananda (SV) Road in Vile Parle (West) on Thursday.
According to the BMC:
>> It is a key access route to Cooper Hospital.
>> Ambulances frequently use the corridor.
>> Large numbers of college students walk through the area daily.
>> Encroachment removal has therefore been prioritised.
Under the Pedestrian First campaign:
>> 27 roads identified for action
>> 37.7 km of footpaths to be cleared of encroachments
>> Part of the BMC's wider drive to create safer, obstruction-free pedestrian corridors across Mumbai
Lake stock (August 7): 88.79%
Water in storage: 12,84,608 million litres
Total capacity: 14,47,363 million litres
Why is the 10% water cut still in place?
>> BMC imposed a 10% water cut on May 15 after IMD forecast a weak southwest monsoon due to El Niño.
>> The Maharashtra government had advised the civic body to use available water cautiously.
>> Daily supply was reduced from around 3950-4100 MLD to 3650-3700 MLD.
>> Lake levels are now almost at par with the same day last year (89.24%).
>> BMC says the existing stock is sufficient until around May 2027.
>> However, the civic body will monitor rainfall through August and September before deciding whether to lift the water cut.
Despite queries from mid-day, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide did not comment on when the 10% water cut may be withdrawn.
