14 January,2026 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Debris and an old streetlamp pole lying on the footpath obstruct pedestrian movement
Every evening, commuters looking for last-mile connectivity from the end of Santacruz station road on the Western Express Highway towards the northbound suburbs face a familiar problem. Finding an autorickshaw is often next to impossible.
A damaged and uneven footpath forces commuters to repeatedly step on and off the carriageway
With no autos available, many commuters choose to walk towards the Milan Subway, where the chances of getting a rickshaw are slightly better. However, the poor condition of the footpath along this stretch of the highway makes even a short walk difficult and unsafe.
A broken manhole lid and scattered debris pose a safety hazard for pedestrians on the footpath
The trouble begins right at the start of the footpath near the station road. Pedestrians are forced to walk nearly 10 metres around a metro pillar to reach the footpath, which itself is around 30 centimetres higher than the road, making it difficult to climb.
After barely 10 metres, the footpath abruptly ends due to the protrusion of a BMC garden, forcing pedestrians back onto the road. Shailesh Shetty, a regular commuter, said that while the highway itself is smooth, the areas meant for pedestrians have been neglected.
A BEST bus stop located on the footpath adds to congestion and safety concerns for pedestrians
"The WEH connects major parts of the city well, but the sides of the road are ignored. Walking here is a constant struggle, as you have to keep climbing up and down uneven surfaces just to avoid stepping onto the road," Shetty said.
Adding to the problem is poor lighting during the evening hours. Trucks parked along the stretch block, whatever little light there is, plunging the footpath into darkness.
A truck parked on the footpath along the Western Express Highway, leaving no space for pedestrians
"I never feel comfortable walking there alone," said Shweta Vishwakarma, a college student who uses the route daily. "In the daytime, we might still attempt it, but in the evenings, my friends and I only walk through this stretch if there are several of us together."
Vishwakarma added that the lack of lighting is not the only concern. "People sleep on the footpath in the evenings, which further reduces confidence, especially for women." An elderly woman, who requested anonymity and was waiting at the bus stop along the footpath, described her experience as frightening.
The beginning of the northbound footpath near Santacruz station road is obstructed by debris and a bridge pillar, forcing pedestrians onto the road. Pics/Madhulika Ram Kavattur
"This is our first time walking here, and it was extremely difficult because of the uneven surface. We almost fell twice. For people our age, this road is simply not approachable," she said.
Despite the complaints, a few pedestrians believe the situation has improved compared to the past. "A few years ago, there was barely a proper road here," said Nandu Chary, who was visiting the area after a long gap.
"Now that the main road has been improved, I believe the footpaths will also be fixed eventually." Another commuter echoed the sentiment, saying delays were expected due to the workload at the civic body. "The BMC is understaffed, so things take time, but I am hopeful the footpath condition will improve soon," he said.
At present, repair work is underway on a section of the footpath near the landing of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road. Workers at the site told mid-day that once this patch is completed, the footpath work may be extended up to the station road.
mid-day contacted the civic body seeking clarity on when the entire stretch of the footpath would be repaired, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
