'Pedestrian First' campaign: BMC removes 6 unauthorised shops, 43 hawkers from Lalbaug footpaths

BMC removed six unauthorised shops, 24 temporary tarpaulin sheds, and three unauthorised platforms, along with taking action against 43 hawkers from Lalbaug during the drive. PIC/BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday removed six unauthorised shops and 43 unauthorised hawkers obstructing footpaths in the Lalbaug area as part of its ‘Pedestrian First' campaign, aimed at making footpaths obstruction-free and accessible for pedestrians.

The action was carried out by the BMC's F-South Ward in various parts of Lalbaug, including areas around prominent Ganpati idols and along the footpaths adjoining Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road.

The civic body said the campaign is being implemented in accordance with the directions of the Bombay High Court, under the guidance of BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and the leadership of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare.

The campaign aims to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments from footpaths and ensure that pedestrians can use them without obstruction.

The action in Lalbaug was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone II) Prashant Sapkale and led by F-South ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vrushali Ingule.

During the drive, civic officials removed six unauthorised shops, 24 temporary tarpaulin sheds and three unauthorised platforms, along with taking action against 43 hawkers who were obstructing footpaths in and around the Lalbaug area.

The civic body also carried out clean-up work in the area following the removal drive. Police personnel from Kalachowki Police Station were deployed during the action to maintain law and order.

The BMC administration has urged citizens and businesses to ensure that footpaths remain accessible and safe for pedestrians. It warned that strict action will be taken against unauthorised structures or the placement of materials that obstruct pedestrian movement on footpaths.

Mumbai's Prabhadevi station gets pedestrian push

As part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ‘Pedestrian First' campaign, work has begun to facilitate the widening of the narrow entry and exit point on the western side of the South Foot Overbridge (FOB) at Prabhadevi railway station to ease passenger congestion and improve pedestrian movement.

The development follows a joint inspection and coordination meeting involving Mumbai Central Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Pankaj Singh, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Lavangare, and Western Railway officials, along with representatives of the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), local police, and traffic police on Tuesday.

The existing toilet block adjacent to the South FOB entry has been dismantled by Western Railway after obtaining the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) from the BMC. The dismantled material has also been removed from the site.

The demolition has cleared the space for widening the entry and exit point and providing an additional staircase on the western side of the South FOB.