Citizens sound concerns as BMC plans pedestrian friendly pathway between Mantralya and Badhwar Park

Even as the phase I of the project has charted plans to develop pedestrian friendly paths up until Badhwar Park, the BMC is eyeing to ultimately extend the project until Cuffe Parade.

According to a senior official from the A ward, work on the project will take off following the code of conduct. “The project has received the sanction but the purchase order is yet to be issued. Once the code of conduct is lifted, we (BMC) will commence the work on the project,” added the officer.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Makarand Narwekar, former BJP corporator from Colaba said, “We are planning and designing a pedestrian friendly stretch through a mix of multiple aspects which go in the way of enhancing a pedestrian’s experience. The footpath will follow the guidelines laid down by the Indian Roads Congress. Street furniture, lights, signages etc. will also dot this stretch to improve the overall experience.”

Pointing to the nearby Machimaar Nagar, which is one of the oldest fishing villages of the city, Narwekar added that the idea behind locking in Badhwar Park as one of the starting points is to draw tourists to the Koli village.

Unlike the Koliwadas in Worli and Versova which witness huge influx of tourists, Machhimar Nagar Koliwada has remained under shadows due to its deteriorating infrastructure and poor civic amenities. In a bid to beautify the village and boost the local tourism, the BMC, last year, launched a major facelift project for the Machimaar precinct which seeks to develop a new entrance along with a pathway leading up to a promenade, and an organised boating space.

However, the proposed plan has drawn the ire from citizens who expressed that the BMC must introspect and refocus their attention towards areas with larger pedestrian footfall. Pointing to the hawkers, dug up and narrow walkways, residents also said that the civic body must resolve the issues plaguing the existing footpaths.

Atul Kumar, president of Nariman Point Churchgate Citizen’s Association (NPCCA) said, “While any plan that entails improvement of walkways is always welcome, it would be nice for BMC to focus and prioritise on areas which have a larger footfall. Besides, with a large number of existing footpaths dug and already riddled with hawkers, people are compelled to walk on the roads. The BMC must also focus on clearing these pathways and resolving the existing issues as well.”

Meanwhile, Rishi Aggarwal, founder of Walking Project told The Indian Express that besides a small chunk, the footpath between Mantralaya and Badhwar Park – with its 3 metre wide footpath, and good shade— is already in excellent shape. “The real requirement for improvements in infrastructure for pedestrians are the pathways outside and close to the railway stations where the maximum number of people walk, after alighting from the trains and heading towards the bus stops and rickshaw stands. Unfortunately, in these areas the BMC is found to be missing in action,” said Aggarwal.