BMC Chief Orders Removal Of Hawkers, Encroachments

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed civic officials to expedite the implementation of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) 'Pedestrian First' campaign by removing unauthorised hawkers, encroachments and other obstructions from footpaths across the city.

The campaign aims to make 320 kilometres of footpaths across Greater Mumbai completely obstacle-free. Bhide conducted an on-ground inspection in the K West and P South wards in Mumbai's western suburbs, visiting areas with heavy pedestrian movement.

During the inspection, Bhide instructed officials to immediately remove illegal hawkers, encroachments and all other obstacles from footpaths. She also directed the administration to undertake improvement, beautification and safety measures to create convenient and accessible walking spaces for citizens.

The BMC has identified 27 roads in K West ward alone for the drive, covering 37.7 kilometres of footpaths. The civic body has prioritised clearing footpaths due to heavy pedestrian movement, particularly near schools, hospitals, railway and metro stations, bus depots and markets.

The 'Pedestrian First' initiative is part of the BMC's efforts to improve the city's infrastructure and make it more pedestrian-friendly. The campaign is expected to benefit citizens, particularly commuters, patients and students, who frequently use the footpaths.

The BMC has also directed Assistant Municipal Commissioners across all administrative wards to launch an immediate drive to clear encroachments from footpaths along major roads. The directive includes removing unauthorised hawkers, illegal encroachments and non-compliant structures.

The civic body's efforts to remove encroachments and improve footpaths are expected to enhance the overall quality of life for Mumbaikars. The 'Pedestrian First' campaign is a significant step towards making Mumbai a more livable and sustainable city.

The BMC's initiatives are in line with the directives of the High Court, which has emphasized the need for a more comprehensive and effective approach to addressing the city's infrastructure and sanitation issues. The civic body is committed to creating a better environment for citizens and improving the city's overall infrastructure.

In conclusion, the 'Pedestrian First' campaign is a significant initiative by the BMC to improve the city's infrastructure and make it more pedestrian-friendly. The campaign is expected to benefit citizens and enhance the overall quality of life for Mumbaikars.