BMC Clears Footpath Encroachments Along S. K. Bole Road in G/North Ward
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted an anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai's G/North Ward on Sunday as part of its ongoing 'Pedestrian First' campaign. Civic officials targeted illegal businesses operating on roads and footpaths, unauthorised constructions, and vehicles parked without permission along S. K. Bole Road and Bhavani Shankar Road.
Visuals of the operation shared by the BMC on its official X account showed an earthmover being deployed to demolish and clear unauthorised shops and structures built on or near pedestrian pathways.
Staff from several municipal departments took part in the operation, including the Vigilance, Licensing, Encroachment, and Solid Waste Management wings, working alongside local police personnel and officials from other concerned departments to execute the clearances.
The drive forms part of a broader citywide push under the 'Pedestrian First' initiative aimed at making Mumbai's streets and footpaths safer and more accessible for walking. Between August 1 and August 14, the civic administration carried out 337 enforcement actions across various areas under the campaign.
According to civic records, those two weeks of enforcement resulted in the removal of 77 unauthorised structures and 112 illegal hawkers. Municipal teams also removed 49 items of street furniture, 63 batches of storage material, 27 shop signboards, 14 standard signboards, and 49 banners that were obstructing pedestrian movement.
In addition to removing obstacles, the campaign oversaw the rectification of 25 structures adjoining authorised shops, carried out repairs on eight footpaths, and removed eight unauthorised parking spaces that impeded pedestrians.
The BMC stated that it will maintain ongoing monitoring of cleared footpaths to prevent encroachment from returning. Under the current plan, civic teams will inspect at least 90 per cent of footpaths in every municipal ward each month. The civic body has also called upon residents, local businesses, and other stakeholders to keep footpaths and public spaces free from obstructions.
