Chandivli footpath survey flags 1.4-metre stretches, encroachments and illegal parking

Members of the citizen-led organisation survey the roads in Chandivli. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A citizen-led survey of four roads in Chandivli has found stretches of footpaths that fall short of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines, while encroachments, illegal parking and garbage dumping further reduce the space available for pedestrians.

The Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) surveyed Kherani Road, IRB Road, DP Road No. 9 in Powai and Chandivli Farm Road to assess whether footpaths in the area meet pedestrian infrastructure standards.

The group found footpaths narrowing to about 1.4 metres in some stretches, while other sections had no footpath. It also flagged hawkers, parked vehicles, garbage and roadside stalls obstructing pedestrian movement.

When the footpath disappears

CCWA Founder Mandeep Makkar said the exercise was undertaken to check whether BMC's pedestrian-first approach was translating into usable footpaths on the ground. "We did the audit to check if BMC's pedestrian-first policy has been properly implemented or not in our area.

Because, from what we have observed, many of the areas in the city which have seen action have also gone back to normal, with encroachment on the footpath, which is not helpful to the pedestrians." Makkar said some existing footpaths were present but difficult to use.

"We have footpaths, but they are not at all up to standard, or comfortable for pedestrians to walk on. Many end up choosing to walk on the road because of that, which is dangerous." He cited the example of a pedestrian who, according to him, fell into an open manhole on Kherani Road a few months ago while walking on the road because the footpath was inaccessible.

What the group found

>> Footpaths narrowing to around 1.4 metres in some stretches
>> Sections without footpaths
>> Encroachment by hawkers
>> Vehicles parked on footpaths
>> Garbage dumped on pedestrian space
>> Roadside food stalls obstructing the walkway
>> Kerbs reportedly around one foot high in some locations
>> Lack of accessibility for elderly and disabled pedestrians

‘A footpath should be for pedestrians'

Makkar said the association welcomed the civic body's pedestrian-focused initiatives but wanted stronger enforcement against encroachment and parking. "The initiative is a much-needed one, but the ground reality speaks otherwise. We need the civic body to find a solution in which footpaths are a piece of infrastructure which are being used by pedestrians only, instead of encroachers or riders parking their vehicles."

He also raised accessibility concerns. "The issue is not only about the footpaths not being up to par, but it is also how these footpaths are not at all disabled friendly. Those who are elderly or have difficulty walking will face more difficulty with getting on and off the footpaths here. We need the civic body to make footpaths which are friendly for all."

The numbers

1.4 M Width recorded on some footpath stretches

1.8 M Minimum clear pedestrian zone recommended for residential areas under IRC guidelines

150 MM Maximum recommended footpath height above the carriageway

About 305 mm
One-foot kerb height cited by CCWA

The IRC's road design standards call for an uninterrupted pedestrian zone of at least 1.8 metres in residential areas, with greater widths recommended for areas with higher pedestrian demand or different land uses. The guidelines also say footpaths should be accessible to all users and that their height should not exceed 150 mm above the carriageway.