‘Streets only for walkers’ finds place in BMC’s revised development plan

Local Press Co 5-point Snippet

1. In a bid to make Mumbai roads pedestrian-friendly, the civic body, in its revised development plan (DP) 2034, has reserved eight streets in six administrative wards only for walkers.

2. According to a Hindustan Times report, the BMC has proposed to dedicate certain streets to pedestrians and bar the entry of vehicles on them. However, experts claim that there is no clarity on whether the streets will be fully pedestrianised 24*7 or partly as the vehicles will be barred entry only during peak hours.

3. The report also mentions the names of the area which are proposed for pedestrianisation. It includes – two streets in A ward (Colaba, Churchgate and CST area), three streets in B ward (Mohammed Ali Road, Mandvi, Dongri areas) and one each in R central (Borivli area), M west (Chembur) and T ward (Mulund).

4. While speaking to the daily about the development plan, a top civic official said, “It is a conceptual proposal that has been presented in the DP. However, the provisions will be subject to the feasibility study. After various suggestions from ward level, this concept was introduced and further suggestions of the citizens in this case will be welcomed. After the feasibility study there is also a possibility of increase in the number of streets to be pedestrianised.”

5. However, even if the plan is approved, it will take a while for the civic body to implement it since an alternative route for the traffic flow will also have to be taken into consideration.