The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is encountering significant delays in initiating a comprehensive safety and accessibility audit of the city’s footpaths.
The setback comes after the civic body failed to attract any responses from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) following its Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in February 2024. In a renewed effort, the BMC reissued the RFP recently, hoping to engage qualified organisations to undertake this critical three-year project. The footpath audit forms a pivotal part of the city’s commitment to ensuring safe, accessible, and equitable pedestrian infrastructure. This initiative was mandated by a recent Bombay High Court directive, which underscored the need for the BMC to comply with the city’s footpath policy. The court stressed the importance of ensuring universal access for all pedestrians, especially focusing on the differently-abled and elderly populations.
Under the audit programme, empanelled NGOs are expected to carry out an exhaustive safety review of all footpaths across the city. This includes both existing and newly developed pathways, aligning with the accessibility norms laid out in the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) guidelines. The audit will assess footpath conditions, identify safety risks, and suggest practical measures to enhance accessibility and user safety. Experts engaged in the project will be responsible for detailed surveys, risk assessments for persons with disabilities, and ensuring compliance with national accessibility standards. Their findings will culminate in detailed reports that guide the civic administration’s future infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Despite the clear public importance of this work, the BMC has struggled to find competent NGOs willing to navigate the complexities involved in such a vast audit. According to civic officials, the challenges include managing the city’s sprawling footpath network, dealing with encroachments, ensuring coordination across various municipal departments, and collecting accurate, detailed data. The BMC has allocated a budget of Rs. 2 crore for this audit. However, officials admit that the technical expertise required and the scale of work demanded has led to a lack of suitable applicants. “The audit process is highly specialised and requires expertise in urban planning, civil engineering, and accessibility compliance, which many organisations may find challenging,” said an official closely associated with the project.
The delay in conducting the audit could have broader implications for the city’s vision of creating a sustainable and inclusive urban environment. Footpaths are essential public spaces that support walkability, reduce reliance on motorised transport, and contribute to lowering the city’s carbon footprint. They are also critical for social equity, providing safe routes for all citizens, including those with mobility challenges. Advocates for sustainable urban development highlight that footpath accessibility is not merely a legal requirement but a fundamental component of eco-friendly city planning. The BMC’s footpath audit, when completed, has the potential to transform pedestrian infrastructure in the city, encouraging walking and supporting healthier, low-carbon urban lifestyles.
However, the current delay underscores systemic challenges in municipal project execution and the need for stronger partnerships with civil society organisations. Experts suggest that greater incentives or capacity-building initiatives might be necessary to attract NGOs with the requisite skills and commitment. The BMC’s renewed call for proposals reflects its intent to move forward, but the clock is ticking. With urban footpaths playing a key role in sustainable mobility and social inclusiveness, the city administration must expedite this crucial audit to meet its accessibility and safety commitments. Only through a collaborative and transparent approach can the city ensure its footpaths serve all residents equitably, contributing to a zero-net-carbon, gender-neutral, and sustainable urban future.
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