Mumbai: Footpath encroachment puts students’ life at risk in Andheri

Residents of JB Nagar in Andheri East have raised serious concerns over an unauthorised encroachment on a public footpath outside Kalgidhar School, falling under the K East Ward limits. Large construction materials — including pipes, and a generator — have been placed on the footpath by a private company’s contractors, without any visible permission from the civic authorities. “The obstruction has made the footpath unusable, forcing us to walk directly on the busy road.  With vehicular traffic constantly flowing, the risk of accidents has increased,” said Sanjana Bajaj, whose son studies in class seven of the school. 

Civic activists pointed out that along with encroachment of public property, loading and storing construction materials like this on the footpaths have also led to anti-social activities. “Every time we pass, we see someone either peeing or consuming alcohol at night hours. Even after complaining multiple times, the authorities do not pay any heed,” questioned activist Godfrey Pimenta who has written a letter to the civic authorities on behalf of the residents raising this issue.