BMC Chief Orders Drive To Clear Footpath Encroachments

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed officials to immediately clear encroachments from footpaths along major roads in Mumbai. The move aims to make footpaths safe, accessible, and fully walkable for pedestrians.

The directive was issued during a review meeting of various civic departments at the BMC headquarters. Bhide called for the removal of unauthorised hawkers, illegal encroachments, and non-compliant access ramps from footpaths near schools, hospitals, railway and metro stations, bus depots, and markets.

Bhide noted that nearly 50 per cent of Mumbaikars walk as part of their daily commute, and making footpaths fully walkable would enhance pedestrian safety, ease traffic congestion, and help reduce vehicular pollution.

The BMC is currently implementing a Rs 100-crore pedestrian infrastructure upgrade, which includes footpath improvements, thermoplastic road markings, new traffic signage, and repairs to kerbstones and dividers. The project covers 14 roads spanning 16.55 km across the island city and the eastern and western suburbs.

Bhide also directed officials to initiate immediate action against unauthorised constructions across Mumbai, citing a Bombay High Court ruling that documents such as old possession records, property tax receipts, electricity connections, or shop licences do not confer legality on unauthorised constructions.

Additionally, Bhide claimed that pothole complaints have declined significantly following the large-scale concretisation of Mumbai's roads. Between June 10 and July 30, 2026, the BMC resolved 96 per cent of the pothole complaints received through the 'Marg' app.

Bhide directed officials to treat every complaint with urgency and ensure prompt redressal, warning against any laxity in addressing civic grievances.

The move to clear footpath encroachments is expected to improve the overall quality of life for Mumbaikars, making the city more pedestrian-friendly and safe.

The BMC's efforts to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure and address civic grievances are part of a larger effort to make Mumbai a more livable city.

With the implementation of this directive, Mumbaikars can expect to see significant improvements in the city's footpaths and overall infrastructure.

The success of this initiative will depend on the effective implementation of the directive and the cooperation of citizens in reporting encroachments and other civic issues.

In the long run, this move is expected to have a positive impact on the city's traffic congestion, air pollution, and overall quality of life.

The BMC's initiative to clear footpath encroachments is a step in the right direction, and its success will be closely watched by citizens and civic activists alike.