Mumbai: The 'maximum city' has long faced challenges with space management, but as citizens appeal for effective governance from the local authorities, the last thing we desire is to encounter further problems, particularly when they breach their own rules. The civic authorities in Mumbai are violating sidewalk regulations by constructing a public toilet on the sidewalk at Lion Gate, Colaba, where there is already no accessible sidewalk due to hawkers.
This issue has sparked strong opposition from residents, leading to demands for Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to halt the construction immediately. Concerns centre around pedestrian safety, as building the toilet will force pedestrians onto the street.
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Former corporator Makarand Narvekar emphasised that pedestrians should have unhindered access to the sidewalk per the sidewalk policy, expressing shock at the decision to place a restroom in a ‘Grade A Heritage Area’ known for its cultural significance linked to the Naval Dockyard.
He underscored that the municipal authorities are contradicting their own sidewalk policy by permitting this construction, intensifying concerns from citizens who will face grave risks if forced to walk on the roadway instead of a cleared sidewalk, according to report by Lokmat.
He has formally requested the Municipal Commissioner and Heritage Committee to cancel the work order, which is estimated to cost Rs 1.70 crore and involves considerable excavation that could affect the naval site. Narvekar insists on a site evaluation before any further construction, highlighting the failure of local authorities to uphold the 2016 pedestrian policy mandating clear pathways, thereby endangering pedestrian safety.
