NGOs,activists pitch for pedestrian infrastructure in city

Focusing on public transportation,the discussion supported pedestrian-accessibility and recommended a capacity building exercise for decision makers in the BMC and state government that would facilitate a gendered perspective in urban planning. Women should not feel unsafe while walking or cycling in the streets,it said.

“Over 51 per cent of all trips made per day in Mumbai are by walking,yet 58 per cent of the road accidents involve pedestrians. Our public policies focus on vehicular de-congestion yet the existing strength of NMT infrastructure,such as footpaths and cycling tracks,is unknown. Our planning has to encourage accessibility and must aim for zero fatalities,”said Sonal Shah from EMBARQ India.

Planner Vidhyadhar K Phatak,formerly a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA),whom the BMC has roped in as its advisor for the preparing the new DP said,“A detailed definition of right of way (ROW) could be incorporated which focuses on public transportation and NMT modes. Specific attention should also be given to intermediate public transport such as rickshaws and taxis that are widely used.”

It was recommended that the corporation include support infrastructure such as clean public toilets to encourage non-motorised transportation.

Significantly,participants demanded a re-evaluation of proposed infrastructure projects including the state government’s dream project,the Mumbai Coastal Road and an impact assessment report of projects developed in the last two decades.

“As the multi-crore skywalks project has proven to be a major failure and wastage of public funds,reports must be prepared to show how the public has truly benefited from other projects such as the Bandra-Worli sea-link and the Eastern Freeway. Less than 20 per cent of the 1.2 crore population of Mumbai are private-vehicle owners who can avail these. So before planning,the government should tell us what good are these for the remaining 80 per cent,” said transportation expert Sudhir Badami.

It was also demanded that a separate NMT cell be set up to identify NMT-priority zones in the city and ensure that all new road projects are NMT-friendly.

B C Khatua,director of MTSU,said a compilation of all suggestions and recommendations will be submitted to the BMC by December 24.

alison.saldanha@expressindia.com