This has to be done with zeal and determination so that the walkers can claim their rightful place in the city
Representational Image
Wish lists rain down towards the year-end. There are promises and projections for 2026. One of the interesting projects is road works in the city, given that commuting is synonymous with Mumbai. We hope that equal attention is paid to something that is complementary to roads — the footpaths or pavements. While making new roads and breaking old ones, planners need to keep foot space or pedestrians on top of the priority pyramid.
Do ensure that pavements are made along with roads so that people are not literally hopping in fear or inches away from vehicles. A good, workable, high-quality pavement is a must along with all our new roads that are supposed to come up in the megapolis.
Clear out encroached pavements so that people have a place to walk. This has to be done with zeal and determination so that the walkers can claim their rightful place in the city.
Repair footpaths that are literal danger zones. Uprooted tiles from footpaths, wires embedded underneath the surface make them trip zones. Any number of people have suffered serious injuries walking on these pavements and falling over these obstacles.
A number of footpaths actually have missing tiles and there are cavities which can trap one’s leg, sending one sprawling on the concrete and suffering sprains, muscle pulls, strains or clean breaks. Sometimes, footpaths are used as garbage bins, open-air toilets or stretches of space to store some kind of building or infra repair material.
This again means that the place becomes out of bounds for the very people it is made for, pedestrians.
Pavements/footpaths and roads go together. They are a package deal. Give the city a better package deal. In our effort at world-class roads do not forget world class sidewalks too. World-class may be a bit too ambitious, looking at the state now, so we say walkable footpaths, too.
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