The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint NGOs to audit pavements to ensure that they can be accessed by the differently abled. Additionally, civic body has invited tenders to carry out pedestrian-first policy, said a BMC road department official.
This development came after the Bombay High Court (HC) slammed the BMC over the state of the city’s footpaths.
In a recent hearing, the court ordered BMC to ensure that all footpaths are encroachment-free and accessible to those with disabilities.
The bench also slammed BMC over the distance between bollards—short posts used to create a protective or architectural perimeter—on footpaths, as at some places, they prove a hindrance to wheelchairs.
Official further stated that these NGOs will record the status and size of footpaths as well as hurdles and their accessibility to persons with disabilities.
One NGO will be appointed for each of the city’s seven zones. According to the tender document, the estimated cost of the project is around INR 2 crore. This audit will take three years.
However, it comes to light that this move has received criticism from the activist. They said that there is no need to conduct an audit. The BMC just needs to implement guidelines of the Supreme Court about hawkers. It is a deliberate attempt to waste their time.
Moreover, allocating taxpayers’ funds to this endeavour seems questionable, as it appears to be a mere formality rather than a genuine effort to address accessibility issues. Rather than relying on NGOs, the BMC should consider implementing a comprehensive plan or design for footpaths and roads.
Share
Tweet
