Mid-Day Special: Neglected spaces below Mumbai flyovers endanger women and pedestrians

More than two years after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC unveiled an ambitious plan to transform spaces beneath the cityrsquos flyovers into recreational zones and green areas Today these spots are as neglected as ever In a twopart series midday reveals how these zones particularly in the western suburbs have deteriorated into junkyards for clunkers and dimly lit haunts for antisocial elementsThe area beneath the Kandivli flyover has been reduced to a graveyard for clunkersIn the first of the series midday visited the stretch from Dahisar to Bandra on the Western Express Highway WEH Misuse of space was evident at nine of the 15 flyovers visited on the stretch raising significant concerns about public safety especially for pedestrians walking by these areas at nightWith inadequate lighting and unchecked use of the space these zones have turned into potential security threats Women children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable as the spaces under many flyovers have become dark foulsmelling areas rather than the green recreational spots they were meant to beAs midday surveyed these locations it was clear that the potential for creating beautiful community spaces still exists but lack of coordination among various agencies and neglect has led to the state in which they are nowTata PowerDevipada flyoverThe space below the Tata PowerDevipada flyover between Dahisar and Kandivli part of which is akin to a scrapyard PicNimesh DaveThe space under this flyover reflects a stark contrast in utilisation Onehalf of the flyover towards Kandivli is littered with abandoned junk cars turning it into a scrapyardlike zone In contrast the other half towards Dahisar is wellmaintained and painted showcasing an effort to beautify the area However junk cars dumped in the remaining sections undermine the positive impact making it an eyesore and a potential hazard for pedestrians after darkldquoIt looks like BMC is planning beautification in instalments or it is just an eyewash to fool people The end of the flyover towards Kandivli is being used to dump junk cars as we move towards the centre the flyover looks clean and painted then again at the end towards Dahisar rusted vehicles are dumpedThe area is well lit so itrsquos unsafe for anybody who passes by I think now that there is no space to dump clunkers the authorities are utilising spaces under the flyover for the purposerdquo said Vamsi Athrey a research student of Mumbai University and resident of BorivliKandivli Mahindra flyoverThe area beneath the Kandivli flyover has been reduced to a graveyard for clunkers PicsNimesh DaveMangled and abandoned scrap vehicles clutter the space beneath this flyover spilling onto the pavement thereby inconveniencing pedestrians The area intended for twowheeler parking has become a dumping ground for junked vehicles making it difficult for people to use the footpath along this busy stretchAdvocate Sumitra Shrivastava a resident of Thakur Village said There is hardly any footpath available to walk Whenever we walk from Poisar Metro station or Growelrsquos 101 Mall I find it challenging to use the footpath For school kids women with children and senior citizens itrsquos especially difficult to walk on this stretchMalad East Pushpa Park flyoverThe space below the Malad East flyover has been taken over by toy sellers and vagrants PicNimesh DaveEncroachment is a serious issue here Toy sellers and homeless individuals have occupied the area What could have been an aesthetically pleasing zone is now plagued by litter undermining efforts to keep public spaces cleanA resident Jatin Patel said ldquoThe flyover was beatified and painted It looks clean from the outside but toy sellers have occupied the space They litter and urinate there because of which the place has started stinkingrdquoPathanwadiDindoshi flyoverPedestrians steer clear of the narrow footpath under the PathanwadiDindoshi flyover PicsNimesh DaveThe space under this flyover is not a problem but the narrow footpath is covered by filth and is totally unusable It has become a dumping ground for garbage and filth severely restricting pedestrian movement The lack of space and poor sanitation have created an unhygienic environmentldquoThere is no space to walk on the footpath There is filth and wild grass is growing on the already narrow footpath We have to risk our lives walking on the road amid trafficrdquo said a commuter who did not wish to be namedFlyover opposite Oberoi MallThis poorly lit spot poses a significant threat to pedestrians PicNimesh DaveA safety hazard the space under the flyover suffers from poor lighting especially at night making the narrow passages beneath it dangerous for pedestriansPeople frequently use it to cross to the other side but the lack of proper lighting and maintenance creates an unsafe environment particularly after darkldquoThe narrow passages below the flyover are easy to cross the main crossing is very dangerous due to speeding vehicles However these passages are very dirty and dark during the eveningrdquo said Goregaon resident Manjukala ShettyAarey flyoverTowed and abandoned vehicles take up space at this spot PicNimesh DaveHalf of this flyover is used by traffic authorities as a chowkie while the remaining space is cluttered with towed and abandoned vehiclesThe other half is occupied by the solid waste management department Ghan Kachra Vibhag adding to the clutter and diminishing the intended utility of the spaceMrinal Tai Gore flyoverThe spots has been taken over by hawkers and toy venders PicsNimesh DaveEncroachment by hawkers selling toys and balloons is a persistent issue beneath this flyoverrsquos southbound armThese vendors not only occupy the space but also contribute to its deterioration by littering and throwing garbage making the area unsightly and unhygienicIf a passerby attempts to click photos of the spot they immediately come at them and start issuing threatsJay Coach flyoverUnsanitary conditions prevail at this spot PicsNimesh DaveThe space beneath this flyovermdashopposite Bimbisar Nagarmdashis dirty strewn with garbage and plastic bottlesItrsquos a neglected area contributing to the overall decline in the cleanliness and safety of the surroundings creating a breeding ground for further dumpingDomestic airport flyover Near Sahara Star HotelBroken bottles and other waste are strewn at this spot PicsAshish RajeThis flyover is infamous for being filthy and unsafe The area is littered with alcohol bottles turning it into a haven for drunkards during the night Covered with green cloth often used at construction sites it offers a hidden secluded space encouraging antisocial activities and making it unsafe for passersbyldquoI have often seen many rag pickers here as they get many bottles and plastic bottles Private transport for Pune is often parked here the drivers are often seen smoking and spitting below this flyover The flyover is very dirty Last year I heard that the BMC is planning to clean and beautify the place but it is still the same now said Kamal Gaur a resident of Vile ParleKherwadi flyoverPedestrians find it hard to cross at this rare wellmaintained spot PicAshish RajeThe space under this flyover is clean and wellmaintained and a recreational site exists However crossing here is risky for pedestrians The spot lacks proper walkways and there have been many complaints of speeding vehiclesKalinaVakola flyoverIllegal garages operate in the space below this flyover where vehicles are also parked PicsAshish RajeThe space beneath this flyover has been turned into a parking area Besides illegal garages were found operating under it These unauthorised activities contribute to congestion and disorderWhat experts sayDhawal Ashar a transportation planner and engineer and also the head of integrated transport and road safety at World Resources Institute India WRI India told midday that the issue can be resolved with proper planning ldquoSpaces under flyovers are a valuable asset in a city that is severely spaceconstrained These areas often have multiple claimants including various government and nongovernment entities that need space for essential purposes but lack the resources The root of the issue lies in poor planning by urban authorities There is a clear need for better utilisation of these spaces First and foremost planning agencies must recognise and formally acknowledge the potential of the spaces under flyovers Then these areas should be assigned specific functions whether for green spaces public utilities or other communityfocused purposes However assigning functions is not enoughmdashthere must also be a sustainable maintenance model to ensure these spaces remain functional and wellkeptrdquo he saidldquoIf the area is transformed into a green space or garden it will require regular upkeep Additionally before any plans are made accessibility to the public should be a top consideration Spaces under flyovers can play a crucial role in urban planning but only with proper recognition functional allocation and ongoing maintenance Neglect and lack of proper planning will only turn them into a negative space encroached and misusedrdquo he addedMilind Mhaske CEO of Praja Foundation said ldquoThese things should be planned at the very beginning at the design stage of the project This mess is a failure in planning on the part of the planning agencies There should be a proper system I genuinely feel that these things can be planned at the administrative ward level No matter which agency designs and builds flyovers clear guidelines should be added to the plan regarding the spaces under them A special unitsection must be formed at the BMC ward level If we do not have a proper plan this will happen again One cannot just make a flyover neglect the space below and then cry foul that the space has been encroachedrdquoRishi Aggarwal founder of the Walking ProjectGopal Jhaveri resident of Borivli and founder of Mumbai March a citizensrsquo movement said ldquoThis is becoming a growing problem across the city not just in western suburbs In a spacestarved city the BMC can make use of these spaces as per the areawise requirement However these spaces are wasted due to neglect They even pose danger for pedestriansrdquoRishi Aggarwal founder of the Walking Project an advocacy group said ldquoThey have spent hundreds and thousands of crores on the beautification of Mumbai but much of it has been senseless and lacking in aesthetic vision Instead these underutilised spaces could be transformed into recreational areas for the publicrdquoHe referred to projects like One Green Mile in Lower Parel a linear park built beneath a oncefilthy stretch of flyover ldquoDutch studio MVRDV and local practice StudioPOD turned this 200metrelong area into a vibrant park However most of these initiatives happen in the island city Why cant we replicate something like this across other parts of MumbairdquoMilind Mhaske CEO of Praja FoundationAggarwal added ldquoWe are wasting the potential of these spaces under the flyovers The BMC needs to incorporate them into the cityrsquos development plan When these areas become neglected or encroached upon they rush to beautify them on an SOS basis resulting in shoddy and aesthetically unappealing workrdquoOfficial SpeakKiran Dighavkar assistant municipal commissioner P South ward and deputy municipal commissioner solid waste management who also held the charge of planning department until 2022 said ldquoThere is nearly one million square feet of space available under flyovers across the city Given Mumbais already low open space ratio utilising these areas for recreational purposes becomes crucial Many corporations are showing interest in such projects and are keen on maintaining them The BMC has not ignored this issue several efforts have been made in recent years to use and beautify spaces beneath flyoversHowever there are multiple factors to consider when executing these projects For instance the structural integrity of the flyovers must be preserved by ensuring the pillars remain untouched to avoid any potential damage Additionally ventilation issues need to be addressed particularly when transforming these spaces into green areas as they lack adequate sunlight and ventilation while being constantly exposed to vehicular emissions While we have made some progress in the past I agree that this needs to be pursued on a larger scale I recommend inviting corporates to participate in these projects which could help establish a proper and systematic maintenance modelrdquolsquoPlans are in progressrsquoA senior BMC official said ldquoSome flyovers have traffic chowkies or offices of government agencies underneath while others which are vacant are being planned for conversion into recreational spaces Some areas have been encroached upon or turned into negative spaces but efforts are ongoing to clear these areas and put them to public use However it is difficult to set a specific timeline for this What we can assure citizens is that plans are in progress as we have successfully implemented at several locationsrdquoSahebrao Gaikwad retired assistant municipal commissioner shared his observations on the challenges of utilising open spaces under flyovers ldquoOver the years I have noticed that while tenders and work orders are issued civic bodies and officials often fail to consider the development of open spaces under flyovers These areas remain vacant unclaimed and are either encroached upon or littered eventually attracting antisocial elements especially after dark The first step should be to put these spaces to good use before they get encroached or misused Equally important is the second step ensuring regular maintenance of the space once it has been developed or assigning it to a department or organisation for upkeepA prime example of poor planning and neglect is the Kandivli Mahindra flyover Around six to seven years ago while I was posted in the R South ward we successfully transformed the space under this flyover into an area where residents could practice yoga However due to lack of maintenance it has become a junkyardrdquo said Gaikwad He added ldquoI strongly suggest that planning agencies should proactively include the development and future maintenance of open spaces beneath flyovers when designing them and incorporate this into the tender process