06 August,2026 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | Anushree Gaikwad
The directive was issued by BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide during an inspection of footpaths in the western suburbs. Pic/ BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday issued a one-month ultimatum to housing societies, commercial establishments, and shop owners to remove unauthorised ramps, encroachments, and other structures obstructing footpaths, warning that strict action will be taken against violators if they fail to comply.
The directive was issued by BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide during an inspection of footpaths in the western suburbs as part of the civic body's 'Pedestrian First' campaign.
Stressing that footpaths are meant solely for pedestrians, Bhide said unauthorised ramps, commercial structures, and other obstructions would no longer be tolerated.
During the inspection, Bhide visited areas in the K-West and P-South wards, including Swami Vivekanand Road, Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg, Bandu Gore Marg, Goregaon Railway Station Road, Seth Shri Devarajji Gundecha Chowk, Tomato Galli near Goregaon station, and Doodh Sagar Marg. She directed officials to clear encroachments and restore footpaths for pedestrian use.
The BMC Commissioner said several housing societies and commercial establishments have built ramps on footpaths to facilitate vehicle movement, reducing walking space, and forcing pedestrians onto roads. She noted that the problem disproportionately affects senior citizens, women, children, and persons with disabilities, compromising their safety.
Bhide directed all housing societies and shop owners to remove such unauthorised ramps and restore the footpaths at their own expense within one month. Failure to comply, she warned, would invite action under BMC regulations.
She also instructed officials to identify alternative locations for commercial stalls currently occupying footpaths wherever possible, saying pedestrian movement must remain the priority.
Under the first phase of the 'Pedestrian First' campaign, the BMC plans to make 320 km of footpaths in K-West Ward completely encroachment-free. Of the ward's 355 roads, work has already begun on 27 roads, covering 37.7 km of footpaths.
Bhide said priority is being given to Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekanand Road in Vile Parle West, as these roads witness heavy movement of ambulances, patients, and visitors heading to Dr RN Cooper Hospital, besides students travelling to nearby colleges and educational institutions.
She said removing encroachments from these stretches is essential for both pedestrian safety and smoother traffic movement.
During the inspection of Bandu Gore Marg near Goregaon West Railway Station, Bhide observed that encroachments were causing inconvenience to pedestrians and worsening traffic congestion. She directed officials to expedite the relocation of affected businesses.
According to the BMC, Bandu Gore Marg, which is 350 metres long and 13.4 metres wide, is used daily by nearly 70,000 railway commuters. As part of the first phase, 43 commercial structures near Goregaon West station have already been removed, while road-widening work is planned. In the second phase, around 11 more structures are proposed to be removed by the end of the year to facilitate improvements at the Swami Vivekanand Road-Bandu Gore Marg junction.
Bhide also instructed officials to fast-track footpath improvement, beautification and pedestrian safety measures across the inspected areas.
Additional Commissioner (Zone IV) Dr Bhagyeshree Kapse, Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner's Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Commissioner (P-West Ward) Kundan Walvi, Assistant Commissioner (P South Ward) Aniruddha Kulkarni, and other civic officials accompanied the civic chief for the inspection.
