Locals say that what was supposed to improve infrastructure has ironically made pedestrian movement more hazardous. “Before the concreting work began, there were well-maintained footpaths on both sides of the road,” said Ajit Ajgaonkar, a resident of Aradhana Building
A footpath that abruptly ends mid-lane, leaving pedestrians stranded in vehicle-dominated zones. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
What was meant to be a city-wide upgrade has become a daily hazard in Santacruz West. As part of the BMC’s ambitious plan to make Mumbai pothole-free, large-scale road concreting was undertaken across the city. But in the process, critical pedestrian infrastructure in several neighbourhoods — including footpaths — has vanished.
In Town Planning Scheme No. 6, which includes road numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5, residents are struggling to walk safely due to the absence of continuous and functional footpaths.
Residents share woes
Locals say that what was supposed to improve infrastructure has ironically made pedestrian movement more hazardous. “Before the concreting work began, there were well-maintained footpaths on both sides of the road,” said Ajit Ajgaonkar, a resident of Aradhana Building. “Now, in the name of road widening, footpaths on one side have been removed. What’s worse is that footpaths don’t run continuously, even on a single road. Sometimes they’re on the right side, sometimes the left. Are we supposed to keep crossing the road every few metres? And with poor lighting and heavy traffic in the evenings, it’s especially risky for senior citizens.”
Cars parked along one side of the interior lane, where footpaths are missing or unusable
Another resident, Sanjay Patkar, a senior citizen, pointed out the misuse of the few remaining footpaths. “They are constantly occupied— either by shopkeepers decorating cars or by garment workers loading and unloading stock. On the other side, where footpaths were removed to widen roads, autos and taxis park freely as if it's a designated public lot. Are we paying taxes so that someone else can benefit?”
Vehicles occupy one side of the road while the other lacks a functional footpath, forcing pedestrians onto the street. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
TP Scheme 6, a residential pocket between SV Road and Milan Subway, houses several housing societies and small-scale garment factories. Residents say the area is plagued by traffic chaos, illegal parking, and unsafe walking conditions. “It’s not just about walking. After dark, garment shop workers zip around on two-wheelers with heaps of cloth stacked dangerously. Even if we walk cautiously, their reckless riding makes it unsafe,” said Rupa Badkar, a local resident. “People also misuse the parked autos — drinking inside them, and sometimes engaging in inappropriate behaviour. This isn’t just unsafe for senior citizens but for younger people and schoolgoing children as well.”
Ajit Ajgaonkar, a resident, says the H West ward officer denied them an appointment
No response from authorities
Frustrated by the situation, residents attempted to approach the authorities, but in vain. “When we asked the contractor about who ordered the removal of footpaths, he said he was simply following instructions from officials. So, we tried reaching out to the H West ward officer, but we were denied an appointment and got no answers,” said Ajgaonkar. All calls made by mid-day to H West ward officer Dinesh Pallewad went unanswered till press time.
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