BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide Directs ‘Pedestrian First’ Planning Around Eastern

Mumbai, August 27, 2026: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed officials to prepare detailed plans to streamline footpaths and traffic movement around railway stations in the eastern suburbs, particularly during peak hours.

Suburban Railway Stations

Bhide inspected pedestrian-first initiatives and solid waste management measures in Mulund, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Ghatkopar during a more than three-hour field visit on Thursday.

Under the Accessible Footpath policy, BMC is working to make station areas safer and more convenient for pedestrians. In Mulund West, officials were directed to remove encroachments along Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road and improve footpaths around utility infrastructure.

At Bhandup West station, a plan will be prepared to ensure smooth BEST bus movement and traffic management. Alternative spaces will be provided to 94 shopkeepers to free the footpaths leading to the station.

In Kanjurmarg West, 24 shops will be removed and their occupants rehabilitated at alternative locations. In a second phase, 26 shops at Bhattipada Junction and 27 shops at Peppermint Chawl will also be removed. BMC plans to make 20.50 km of footpaths pedestrian-friendly across 14 routes in the S Ward.

In Ghatkopar’s Pantnagar area, encroachments along five roads will be removed, making around 3 km of footpaths available for pedestrians.

Bhide also ordered immediate removal of illegal hawkers and other obstructions, along with improvements in footpath safety and beautification.

She reviewed measures to eliminate garbage-vulnerable points and directed regular door-to-door waste collection, CCTV monitoring and enforcement. The successful waste-management model implemented near Badwaik Hospital in Bhandup was appreciated and officials were asked to replicate it in other areas.