Calls for improved footpath infrastructure are growing across Kharghar and Taloja as residents highlight deteriorating walkways, encroachments and poor maintenance that continue to compromise pedestrian safety. With monsoon conditions exposing damaged surfaces and increasing accident risks, the issue has renewed attention on the need for people-centric urban planning that treats walking as a core component of city infrastructure rather than a secondary amenity. Several stretches in Kharghar, particularly around Shilp Chowk, Raghunath Vihar and areas surrounding Central Park, have developed uneven paving, cracked blocks and poor surface conditions after years of wear. Residents say the situation worsens significantly during the rainy season, when water accumulates over damaged sections, concealing hazards and making routine movement difficult for commuters, senior citizens and children.
In neighbouring Taloja, pedestrian mobility faces a different challenge. Footpaths approaching the Pethali Metro station are frequently obstructed by informal encroachments and roadside storage, forcing people to leave designated walkways and walk alongside fast-moving traffic. Urban mobility specialists note that such conditions reduce the effectiveness of investments in public transport by weakening safe first- and last-mile connectivity. Urban planners believe footpath infrastructure should be planned with the same priority as roads, drainage and public transport. Well-designed pedestrian corridors encourage walking, reduce dependence on private vehicles, improve access to metro stations and support healthier, lower-emission cities. They also contribute to inclusive mobility by enabling safer travel for children, women, older adults and persons with disabilities.
Experts further point out that maintenance often receives less attention than new infrastructure projects. Broken paving, inadequate drainage, missing tactile elements and poor enforcement against encroachments can quickly erode the usability of public spaces despite significant public investment. As climate variability increases the frequency of heavy rainfall, resilient pedestrian infrastructure is becoming essential for ensuring safe urban mobility throughout the year. The concerns also reflect a wider governance challenge facing rapidly expanding urban centres across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. While investments continue in metro corridors, roads and housing developments, residents argue that everyday public infrastructure requires equal attention to ensure cities remain accessible and liveable. Continuous monitoring, routine repairs and coordinated action among civic agencies are increasingly viewed as necessary to preserve pedestrian rights and improve urban safety.
As Navi Mumbai continues to expand through new residential and commercial districts, transport planners say future development must integrate walkable streets into project design from the outset. Strengthening pedestrian networks alongside transit infrastructure can improve accessibility, reduce congestion and advance more sustainable patterns of urban growth while enhancing the quality of public spaces for all residents.
