Mumbai’s Footpaths Get Inclusive Makeover As BMC Focuses On Disabled-Friendly Design

Advertisement

Last Updated:May 15, 2025, 14:52 IST

Tactile tiles to assistance usher the visually impaired, obstruction-free surfaces, and gradual slopes are besides being prioritised to accommodate wheelchair users and the elderly

Citizens person agelong complained astir potholes, mediocre finishes, and blocked pathways. (PTI Image for Representation)

As Mumbai rushes to implicit captious factual roadwork earlier the monsoon sets in, a quiescent but important displacement is taking spot beneath our feet—on the city’s footpaths. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is present ensuring that the pavements built alongside factual roads are not conscionable walkable, but genuinely accessible—especially for persons with disabilities. This initiative, spearheaded by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, signals a increasing designation that roads are not conscionable for vehicles, but for people.

“Footpaths should beryllium barrier-free, accessible and disabled-friendly," Bangar emphasised during his caller inspection of factual roadworks successful eastbound suburbs similar Mulund, Powai, and Chembur. He has directed engineers to strictly travel Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards portion laying these paths. Key to this accessibility are tactile tiles—those grooved oregon dotted paths that assistance usher the visually impaired. These tiles are present being incorporated arsenic a modular feature, ensuring a harmless walking acquisition for all, not conscionable the able-bodied. Smooth, obstruction-free surfaces and gradual slopes are besides being prioritised to accommodate wheelchair users and the elderly.

But it’s not conscionable astir compliance. The attack feels much humane this time. During his inspection, Bangar noted however uneven chambers connected pavements often disrupt accessibility, defeating the precise intent of specified designs. To hole this, helium has suggested consulting experts, including IIT Bombay, for workable solutions that equilibrium inferior and inclusivity. While the technicalities of pavement prime factual (PQC), associated sealing, and Mastick asphalting proceed down the scenes, the displacement successful civic mindset is refreshing. The BMC present sees footpaths not arsenic afterthoughts, but arsenic nationalist spaces successful their ain right.

The inaugural comes astatine a clip erstwhile Mumbai’s roads are nether aggravated scrutiny. Citizens person agelong complained astir potholes, mediocre finishes, and blocked pathways. Involving residents and urging engineers to guarantee top-notch finishing—from roadworthy coating to installing due signage—shows an effort to rebuild nationalist trust, measurement by step.

With a deadline of May 20 for completing PQC work, and May 31 for last surfacing, clip is short. But the clarity of intent is evident. “No compromise connected quality," Bangar told his teams, besides instructing that roads beryllium opened to postulation lone aft ensuring information and completeness—including checking drainage lines earlier the archetypal monsoon showers hit. For a metropolis wherever footpaths often treble up arsenic dumping grounds oregon parking slots, this absorption connected inclusivity could redefine however Mumbai walks forward—one accessible measurement astatine a time.

Location :

First Published:

News india Mumbai’s Footpaths Get Inclusive Makeover As BMC Focuses On Disabled-Friendly Design