Mumbai's 'Pedestrian First' push | BMC tenders ₹100-Crore project to revamp 16.5 km of footpaths

Mumbai is set to see a significant upgrade in its walking spaces as the BMC rolls out a ₹100-crore pilot to revamp 16.5 km of footpaths across 14 major stretches. Under its ‘Pedestrian First’ policy, the civic body plans to redesign these walkways into wider, smoother and clutter-free paths that meet national walkability norms.

The footpath upgrade project covers 6.40 km in Island City, 5.96 km in the eastern suburbs, and 4.19 km in the western suburbs, all designed to meet the Universal Footpath Policy. This includes ensuring a minimum width of 1.5 meters and a height clearance of 2.2 meters. The revamped walkways will feature tactile paths for the visually impaired, safe zones around trees, and public seating, creating a safer, more enjoyable walking experience.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar hailed the tender, as the beginning of a "new phase" in Mumbai’s urban development. Acknowledging the current poor state of footpaths, he emphasised the BMC's "intentional effort" to systematically enhance pedestrian infrastructure.

Spanning key locations across Island City and both suburbs, the project aims to establish model footpaths that can be replicated citywide. This initiative responds to the Bombay High Court’s recent reprimand on footpath encroachments and signals a significant policy shift towards prioritising pedestrian safety and accessibility in Mumbai’s rapid urban growth.