The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has notified the Supreme Court that it is planning India’s first across-city master plan for a universally connected and accessible pedestrian network in Mumbai.
The project will not begin as an isolated exercise but will also introduce a scientific approach to pedestrian planning. The BMC made these submissions in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, as reported by bar and bench. The affidavit was submitted in response to an application in the ongoing public interest litigation (PIL) related to the implementation of the universal footpath policy and pedestrian safety.
As per the affidavit, the proposed master plan will be prepared using the BMC's 3D city model along with satellite imagery, LiDAR surveys, drone mapping, development plan data and other geospatial information. The BMC told the Court that it has already started collecting ward-wise data on existing pedestrian infrastructure. T
The survey includes current footpaths, missing links, discontinuous stretches, connectivity gaps and inaccessible sections. It said a city-wide geospatial mapping exercise is also underway to identify roads without footpaths, missing pedestrian connections, accessibility gaps and broken walking routes across Mumbai.
The civic body said the mapping exercise will be integrated with its 3D city model. This platform will allow authorities to view locations on a single system. It added that the platform will also help identify accessibility gaps, encroachments and missing roads while supporting the preparation of the master pedestrian network plan.
The affidavit also stated that the BMC is creating a mechanism under its Chief Engineer (Roads and Traffic) Department. This system will align data collection, GIS mapping, and monitoring of pedestrian infrastructure projects across the city.
The street vendors will continue to be regulated and rehabilitated under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014; the Maharashtra Rules, 2016; and the Street Vendors Scheme, 2017, through the Town Vending Committee.
The application that led to the affidavit was filed by advocate Sunil Ahya in November 2025. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan had then issued notices directing the authorities to prepare city-wide master pedestrian plans, carry out geospatial mapping of pedestrian networks, include street vending in footpath planning, and implement phased implementation.
It also requested the court to direct the civic body to submit quarterly compliance reports. When the matter was heard in January this year, the Supreme Court asked the BMC to consider conducting audits of selected footpath stretches across the city.
It allowed the applicant to identify stretches that required urgent remedial action. The Supreme Court has now taken the BMC's affidavit dated May 20 on record. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on September 3.