Dadar East residents flag debris, broken paver blocks on footpath after BMC concreting

Broken paver blocks occupy the footpath of Swami Gyan Jivandas Marg in Dadar East. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Dadar East residents have raised concerns about debris, including broken paver blocks, on the footpath along Swami Gyan Jivandas Marg, which they say is from pre-monsoon concreting work carried out on the street by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

When the concreting was completed before the monsoon arrived, the road - which links Dadar railway station to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road - was about two to three inches higher than the footpath, though the BMC created asphalt ramps, allowing vehicles to be easily parked on the premises of buildings and shops.

Residents acknowledged that the concreting has prevented rainwater from stagnating on the stretch but asked that the debris be removed from the pavement, calling it a tripping hazard for pedestrians, especially in front of the Fern Residency hotel.

[popcorn number="Aug 17" desc="Day water pipeline work began" class="Default"]

When this reporter spoke to civic workers who were repairing a water line at the spot, they claimed that the debris had been left on the pavement by them. Residents, however, allege it had been there long before the pipeline work commenced. Arun Kshirsagar, assistant commissioner of the F North ward, told mid-day, "I've instructed department concerned to do needful."

Resident Speak

Namya Prabhakar, who lives near spot
‘When the road has been done so nicely, it is not correct that the footpath has been left like this. The debris is a serious tripping hazard for pedestrians'

A senior citizen, who spoke on condition of anonymity
‘Water mains work is in progress at the spot, but that started on Monday, and the debris has been lying here much before that. We are glad that the BMC provided temporary ramps, but those are for motorists. Pedestrians deserve footpaths that are free of debris'