With new road bridges in Mumbai opening without footpaths or dividers, citizens are questioning whether the BMC is quietly phasing out pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Recent examples include the new Vikhroli Road bridge, the Reay Road bridge, and upcoming Carnac bridge, none of which have proper walkways.

New bridges in Mumbai lacking footpaths represent serious negligence by the BMC, especially since many of these are replacing British-era structures that did have wide, spacious footpaths. Pedestrians are now forced to walk dangerously close to fast-moving traffic. Often, the problem isn’t considered during the design phase, and once the issue becomes apparent, the BMC offers inadequate ‘fixes’ like narrow guardrails or plastic barricades,” said Vedant Mhatre, programme director of the Walking Project.

New Reay Road cable-stayed bridge inaugurated on May 13 does not have footpaths. Pics/Ashish Raje