Mumbai activists urge BMC to audit government encroachments before footpath removal drive

Aarey milk stalls occupying footpath space in Andheri East. Pics/By Special Arrangement

As the BMC steps up its footpath encroachment removal drive under its revived ‘Pedestrian First' policy, civic activists have urged the corporation to first conduct a citywide audit of structures and obstructions put up, permitted or maintained by government agencies themselves.

Mumbai March, a city-based civic advocacy group, said on Tuesday that the BMC should remove its own encroachments along with those of private establishments and street vendors.

"Whatever BMC preaches, it must practise. There are several permanent fixtures that BMC approved, and must now take accountability for," said Gopal Zaveri of Mumbai March.

The group said clearing only hawkers and street vendors would not resolve Mumbai's footpath problems and called for a comprehensive audit.

‘BMC must take responsibility'

Gopal Zaveri, Mumbai March
"There are Aarey stalls that no longer sell milk, Zunka Bhakar Kendras that no longer sell affordable food. If policy interventions are required to remove such authorised encroachers, then those must be done on priority also. BMC must begin to take responsibility for their own mess, conduct a citywide survey and remove obsolete and unauthorised structures, instead of blaming hawkers alone."

Dhaval Shah, founder, LOCA
"There are at least two or three Aarey milk stalls in our area occupying the entire footpath. They now sell other goods such as chips and eggs, while crates, refrigerators and storage units are kept outside. They end up using almost twice the space allotted to them. This must also be checked."

Karan Jotwani, co-founder, LOCA
"Most licensed booths occupy too much space, leaving little or no walkway for pedestrians. Many pedestrians have been forced onto the road, putting them at risk of being run over by cars and bikes."

Godfrey Pimenta, citizens' activist
"A pedestrian policy cannot succeed unless pedestrians are first provided with continuous, obstruction-free and properly maintained footpaths. Broken paver blocks and utility chamber lids, illegal parking and structures such as Aarey and Zunka Bhakar stalls, telephone junction boxes and electrical substations are common obstructions."

What BMC's ‘Pedestrian First' drive targets

The civic body began its latest drive on August 7 after Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directed officials to reclaim 320 km of footpaths across Mumbai. The drive is targeting high-footfall areas including Dadar, Mahim, Matunga, Andheri, Goregaon, Bandra, and Pali Hill.

The focus includes:
>> Unauthorised hawkers
>> Ramps and extensions from housing societies and commercial buildings
>> Rain sheds put up by shops and establishments
>> Motorbikes and other vehicles parked on footpaths

Other directions

Authorised hawkers: They have been told not to keep goods or other material outside their allotted spaces.

No-garbage zones: The BMC has designated footpaths as ‘No Garbage Zones', with boards to be installed at these locations.

Relocation: Businesses causing pedestrian obstructions may be shifted.

What the audit should cover

>> BMC structures and kiosks
>> Police and RTO chowkis
>> MTNL and other obsolete utility structures
>> Contractor cabins and temporary offices
>> Abandoned government vehicles
>> Unnecessary railings
>> Aarey milk stalls
>> Zunka Bhakar Kendra stalls
>> Old PCO/STD booths
>> Government debris and construction material
>> Illegal parking and vehicle displays
>> Cattle and other permanent obstructions
>> Manholes and unsafe footpath conditions

BMC steps up inspections

In a statement on Tuesday, the BMC said: "Instructions have been issued to the administration to remove obstructions from footpaths and the railway station vicinity and to implement necessary measures for the safe and convenient movement of commuters."

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has conducted inspections on August 7 and 17. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare on Tuesday inspected Prabhadevi railway station, the proposed FOB and surrounding areas.

Officials have been directed to remove unauthorised encroachments around the station, relocate shared taxi stands and drop-off points, resurface approach roads and widen entry and exit routes to ease pedestrian movement.