Chandivli footpath survey flags 1.4-metre stretches, encroachments and illegal parking

A citizenled survey of four roads in Chandivli has found stretches of footpaths that fall short of Indian Roads Congress IRC guidelines while encroachments illegal parking and garbage dumping further reduce the space available for pedestriansThe Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association CCWA surveyed Kherani Road IRB Road DP Road No 9 in Powai and Chandivli Farm Road to assess whether footpaths in the area meet pedestrian infrastructure standardsThe group found footpaths narrowing to about 14 metres in some stretches while other sections had no footpath It also flagged hawkers parked vehicles garbage and roadside stalls obstructing pedestrian movementWhen the footpath disappearsCCWA Founder Mandeep Makkar said the exercise was undertaken to check whether BMCrsquos pedestrianfirst approach was translating into usable footpaths on the ground ldquoWe did the audit to check if BMCrsquos pedestrianfirst policy has been properly implemented or not in our areaBecause from what we have observed many of the areas in the city which have seen action have also gone back to normal with encroachment on the footpath which is not helpful to the pedestriansrdquo Makkar said some existing footpaths were present but difficult to useldquoWe have footpaths but they are not at all up to standard or comfortable for pedestrians to walk on Many end up choosing to walk on the road because of that which is dangerousrdquo He cited the example of a pedestrian who according to him fell into an open manhole on Kherani Road a few months ago while walking on the road because the footpath was inaccessibleWhat the group foundgtgt Footpaths narrowing to around 14 metres in some stretchesgtgt Sections without footpathsgtgt Encroachment by hawkersgtgt Vehicles parked on footpathsgtgt Garbage dumped on pedestrian spacegtgt Roadside food stalls obstructing the walkwaygtgt Kerbs reportedly around one foot high in some locationsgtgt Lack of accessibility for elderly and disabled pedestrianslsquoA footpath should be for pedestriansrsquoMakkar said the association welcomed the civic bodyrsquos pedestrianfocused initiatives but wanted stronger enforcement against encroachment and parking ldquoThe initiative is a muchneeded one but the ground reality speaks otherwise We need the civic body to find a solution in which footpaths are a piece of infrastructure which are being used by pedestrians only instead of encroachers or riders parking their vehiclesrdquoHe also raised accessibility concerns ldquoThe issue is not only about the footpaths not being up to par but it is also how these footpaths are not at all disabled friendly Those who are elderly or have difficulty walking will face more difficulty with getting on and off the footpaths here We need the civic body to make footpaths which are friendly for allrdquoThe numbers14 MWidth recorded on some footpath stretches18 MMinimum clear pedestrian zone recommended for residential areas under IRC guidelines150 MM Maximum recommended footpath height above the carriagewayAbout 305 mmOnefoot kerb height cited by CCWAThe IRCrsquos road design standards call for an uninterrupted pedestrian zone of at least 18 metres in residential areas with greater widths recommended for areas with higher pedestrian demand or different land uses The guidelines also say footpaths should be accessible to all users and that their height should not exceed 150 mm above the carriageway