03 August,2026 07:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The initiative is expected to improve pedestrian safety and reduce road accidents. Representational Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday launched an ambitious 'Pedestrian First' campaign to make Mumbai's footpaths obstruction-free and pedestrian-friendly.
According to an official statement, as part of the first phase, the civic body will remove encroachments from 320 kilometres of footpaths, with Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directing officials to crack down immediately on illegal hawkers, encroachments and other obstacles across the city.
Chairing a review meeting of various civic departments, Bhide stressed that pedestrian safety must be treated as the highest priority, noting that nearly 50 per cent of Mumbai's daily travel is undertaken on foot. Along with clearing encroachments, the BMC will also undertake the improvement, beautification and strengthening of footpaths.
The Mumbai civic chief directed all Ward Assistant Commissioners to carry out daily physical inspections of footpaths and oversee anti-encroachment drives in their respective wards, the statement said.
Deputy Commissioners have been asked to conduct weekly zonal reviews and submit reports to the Additional Municipal Commissioners, who will review progress every 15 days.
To ensure accountability, officials must submit daily 'Before' and 'After' photographs documenting anti-encroachment action. Bhide warned that negligence, delays or laxity in implementing the campaign would not be tolerated and that officials failing to comply with the directives would face strict disciplinary action.
Emphasising that keeping footpaths free of encroachments is a continuous administrative responsibility and not merely a campaign, Bhide highlighted that construction debris, abandoned vehicles, garbage, uneven surfaces and other obstructions pose serious risks to pedestrians.
She instructed officials to prioritise the removal of encroachments from footpaths near schools, hospitals, railway stations, metro stations, bus depots, marketplaces and other high-footfall public areas, ensuring they are safe and accessible for pedestrians.
The BMC has also ordered the immediate removal of illegal advertisement boards, hoardings, non-compliant ramps, outward-opening building doors and other physical obstructions occupying footpaths.
Officials have additionally been directed to ensure that licensed vendors operate strictly within their designated spaces and do not store goods or place stalls and signboards beyond the areas allotted to them.
The Commissioner has instructed civic officials to remove uneven or unauthorised ramps, ensure that building entrances open inward within property limits, and scientifically prune tree branches obstructing footpaths.
She further directed that all new footpaths be built only as per approved standards using M-40 grade concrete, while paver blocks and stamped concrete have been prohibited. Any gaps, uneven levels or other physical obstacles on footpaths must also be eliminated to improve pedestrian safety.
According to the civic body, making footpaths encroachment-free and walkable will benefit students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and the general public. The initiative is expected to improve pedestrian safety, reduce road accidents, encourage walking, improve traffic flow, ease congestion and contribute to better air quality and public health.
Bhide has directed all departments to prepare a priority-wise list of footpaths and ensure continuous monitoring to prevent fresh encroachments.
She reiterated that any official found neglecting their duties or allowing footpath obstructions to reappear would face strict action.
