BMC Launches ‘Pedestrian First’ Drive to Clear Footpaths of Encroachments Across Mumbai

Mumbai, August 6: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed officials to implement the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign across Mumbai to remove illegal hawkers and encroachments from footpaths, ensuring safe and obstruction-free movement for pedestrians.

To review the campaign, Commissioner Bhide conducted an on-site inspection in the K West and P South wards on Thursday morning. She visited the Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekanand Road (S.V. Road) stretch in Vile Parle (West), a key route frequently used by patients, ambulances heading to Cooper Hospital, and college students.

In the first phase of the initiative, BMC will clear encroachments from 320 km of footpaths across the city. In the K West Ward, 27 priority roads covering 37.7 km have been identified out of a total of 355 roads.

Commissioner Bhide instructed officials to immediately remove all unauthorized hawkers, encroachments, and other obstructions from footpaths. She also directed civic authorities to undertake necessary improvements, beautification, and safety measures to create pedestrian-friendly walkways.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Bhagyashree Kapase, Deputy Commissioner Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Commissioner Kundan Walvi, and other officials were present during the inspection.