Pedestrian First campaign: BMC conducts demolition drive in Mulund, removes 40 monsoon sheds, 8 shops and 30 hawkers

The civic administration said it is committed to providing clear and accessible footpaths for pedestrians across the city. Pic/BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday carried out a major anti-encroachment drive in Mulund under its ‘Pedestrian First' campaign, removing illegal structures and other obstructions from footpaths.

The joint operation was conducted by the civic body's T, S and N wards, with the aim of making footpaths safer and easier for pedestrians to use, officials said.

During the drive, civic officials removed 40 monsoon sheds, 8 unauthorised shops, 30 hawkers and 6 carriageway obstructions, an official statement said.

Materials that were found blocking the footpaths were also seized, the BMC said.

The action was carried out in several parts of Mulund West, including Ram Ratan Trivedi Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Sevaram Lalwani Marg, Ratanji Hirji Bhograj Marg, Jhaver Marg and Ganesh Gawde Marg.

In Mulund East, the drive covered areas around Lokmanya Tilak Marg and Navghar Road.

Joint action by three BMC wards

The operation was carried out jointly by the T, S and N civic wards under the guidance of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 6) Santoshkumar Dhonde, it said.

Assistant Municipal Commissioners Yogita Kolhe of T Ward, Sameerin Sayyed of S Ward and Jaydeep More of N Ward led the operation.

The BMC deployed 13 junior engineers, seven licensing inspectors and 66 workers for the drive.

The teams also used 10 vehicles, five dumpers, five JCB machines and other equipment. Police personnel were deployed to maintain security during the operation.

Drive aims to keep footpaths clear

The BMC said the ‘Pedestrian First' campaign is being implemented across Mumbai following directions from the Bombay High Court.

The campaign aims to remove unauthorised hawkers, structures and other encroachments that obstruct pedestrian movement.

The civic administration said it is committed to providing clear and accessible footpaths for pedestrians across the city.

The civic body has warned residents, businesses and vendors against creating obstructions or putting up unauthorised structures on footpaths.

The BMC said that strict action would be taken if fresh encroachments or illegal constructions are found on pedestrian pathways.

The latest drive is part of the Mumbai civic body's wider efforts to reclaim footpaths and improve pedestrian movement across Mumbai.