Maharashtra government has directed civic bodies across the state—including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)—to complete a comprehensive footpath audit within six months. The move aims to ensure safer, obstruction-free, and well-maintained walkways, reflecting a growing policy shift toward pedestrian-first mobility in urban planning.
The Urban Development Department (UDD), through a recent government resolution, has instructed local bodies to prioritise the audit in congested and high-risk areas such as market zones, school districts, and major transport corridors. The audit will identify broken pavements, encroachments, and poor lighting—key contributors to accidents and unsafe walking conditions. To make the initiative financially sustainable, the state has mandated that civic bodies allocate at least one per cent of their annual budget specifically for road safety and pedestrian infrastructure. Officials noted that until now, most cities lacked a defined financial framework for such projects, relying instead on general civil works budgets.
“The government has rightly recognised pedestrian safety as an essential component of urban mobility,” said a senior official from the Pune Municipal Corporation. “Dedicated funding will help ensure that footpaths are not only built but maintained consistently.” The resolution also calls for the establishment of dedicated Pedestrian Accessibility Cells within civic bodies. These units will oversee planning, auditing, and maintenance of walkways, while also managing an online platform where citizens can report damaged pavements or illegal encroachments. The order further emphasises streetlight upkeep, CCTV monitoring, and regular cleaning of underpasses and foot overbridges to ensure continuous accessibility and safety.
This directive aligns with a recent Supreme Court order mandating all states to enhance pedestrian infrastructure under Section 210-D of the Motor Vehicles Act. The decision underscores India’s shifting focus from vehicle-centric design to equitable, multimodal city planning. Mobility experts and civic activists in Pune welcomed the move but stressed the importance of execution. “An audit of every footpath is crucial, but only meaningful if followed by repair and enforcement,” said an urban mobility advocate. “Walkability is the foundation of sustainable, inclusive cities—it’s time local governments prioritised it.”
With nearly 1,100 km of roads in Pune and 395 km of walkways in Pimpri Chinchwad, the task ahead is considerable. Yet, the six-month deadline signals intent: a shift from reactive road repairs toward proactive, citizen-centred design. If implemented effectively, the initiative could serve as a blueprint for safer, more liveable cities across Maharashtra.
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