Maharashtra government has directed all municipal corporations to allocate at least one per cent of their annual budgets towards road and pedestrian safety initiatives. The order, issued by the Urban Development Department through a Government Resolution (GR), aligns with Supreme Court guidelines promoting pedestrian welfare and traffic discipline.
According to officials, the directive applies to all civic bodies in the state — including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — and requires them to create a separate budget head dedicated exclusively to road safety projects. The funds are expected to be used for awareness campaigns, infrastructural improvements, and the enhancement of pedestrian access, particularly in accident-prone zones. The GR outlines 14 specific measures that cities must adopt to ensure safer streets. Among the most significant is the installation of tactile paving at metro, railway, and bus stations to improve accessibility for visually impaired commuters. Urban local bodies are also required to work closely with traffic authorities to ensure seamless pedestrian movement through better entry points, waiting areas, and dedicated walking routes.
A civic official noted that the government’s push for safety-focused budgeting comes at a crucial time when pedestrian fatalities remain high across Maharashtra’s urban centres. “By institutionalising safety spending, cities will be compelled to design infrastructure that considers non-motorised transport users, including pedestrians and cyclists,” the official said. Municipalities will also need to conduct biannual footpath audits, particularly around high-traffic areas such as markets, schools, and transport terminals. The audits will assess the condition of pavements, lighting, and drainage, with reports submitted to the Urban Development Department along with a time-bound repair plan.
Additionally, the resolution directs civic bodies to remove encroachments from pedestrian corridors, install CCTV surveillance on bridges and subways, and ensure zebra crossings comply with national design standards. A new “Accessibility and Pedestrian Cell” will be established in each corporation to oversee implementation, maintenance, and grievance redressal. Citizen participation has also been made a key element of the policy. Local bodies must set up online portals to receive complaints regarding broken pavements, encroachments, or missing crossings, with mandatory resolution within 15 days.
Urban planners and mobility experts have welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward creating more inclusive and sustainable cityscapes. They argue that allocating dedicated funds to road safety is critical to achieving the state’s broader goals of equitable mobility, climate resilience, and reduced dependence on motorised vehicles. As Maharashtra prepares for upcoming civic elections in 2026, the move signals a shift toward governance models that prioritise safer, more walkable, and citizen-friendly urban environments.
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