Activists Urge BMC to Audit Government Footpath Encroachments in Andheri East

Civic activists have urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to conduct a comprehensive audit of structures and obstructions maintained by government agencies, highlighting issues such as Aarey milk stalls occupying footpath space in Andheri East.

The demand comes as the municipal corporation intensifies its footpath encroachment removal drive under the revived 'Pedestrian First' policy, which targets hawkers and private encroachments across the city.

Mumbai March, a city-based civic advocacy group, stated on Tuesday that the civic body should first inspect and remove its own installations before targeting others. The group emphasized that the BMC must clear government-permitted structures, kiosks, debris, railings, and other obstacles from pedestrian walkways alongside encroachments set up by private establishments and street vendors.

According to civic activists, government agencies themselves have put up, permitted, or maintained numerous obstructions on pedestrian pathways, hindering the core objective of the 'Pedestrian First' initiative.