The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolished 28 structures in Ghatkopar and cleared 44 other obstructions in Sewri as part of its ongoing ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to restore access to footpaths in Mumbai.
The demolition in Ghatkopar took place between Jhunjhunwala College and the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road in Ghatkopar West. The civic body carried out the action on Wednesday, according to the report by Times of India – Mumbai.
In Sewri, the BMC’s F-South ward acted along D G Mahajani Road and Jerbai Wadia Road on Thursday. The clearance included seven unauthorised shops, 15 temporary tarpaulin sheds, two unauthorised platforms and 20 hawkers obstructing the footpaths.
The civic body also cleared four abandoned material storage spots during the drive. The action was part of the BMC’s continuing campaign aimed at ensuring that footpaths remain accessible to pedestrians rather than being occupied by unauthorised structures, temporary sheds, platforms, storage areas or vending activity.
The locations named in the drive represent different forms of obstruction that can reduce the usable width of footpaths. Permanent or semi-permanent structures, temporary coverings, raised platforms and abandoned storage points can all affect pedestrian movement, while hawkers may occupy sections of the walking space along busy roads.
The campaign places ward-level enforcement at the centre of the BMC’s effort to improve pedestrian access. In this instance, the F-South ward handled the Sewri action, while the Ghatkopar clearance addressed structures along a corridor connecting Jhunjhunwala College with the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road.
The report did not specify whether the cleared structures would be monitored for re-encroachment, whether affected occupants had been issued prior notices, or what follow-up arrangements would be used to keep the footpaths open. The BMC’s ongoing ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign remains focused on clearing encroachments and unauthorised structures from pedestrian routes.
