Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road — a 21-km stretch from Sion to Thane — is one of the important roads used in the central suburbs of Mumbai. However, the footpath along the road, especially the stretch from Kanjurmarg to Ghatkopar (southbound side), is disappearing. Getting worse at the Vikhroli road overbridge (ROB) junction, the footpath is barely walkable as at every 10 meters, one has to get off the footpath due to trees or other obstacles. “The road is barely pedestrian-friendly. We ultimately have to walk on the road, and that ends up putting us at risk due to oncoming traffic,” said Rushikesh R Rokade, whose office is located at LBS Marg.
The footpath gets as narrow as 30 cm in some spots. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR
The issue is not just seen at LBS Marg. The road that goes towards Vikhroli railway station also has no footpath. The road already sees heavy traffic and buses coming from LBS Marg, with commuters heading towards the station forced to walk on the road and risking an accident.
The road that connects LBS Marg to Vikhroli railway station has no footpath
Previously, pedestrians going towards the station could use the skywalk to avoid traffic, but the bridge was partially dismantled for construction of the Vikhroli ROB. The stairway of the skywalk, however, still exists on the road. Alisha Sayyed, who uses the road from time to time, said, “When the skywalk was still fully connected, walking here was easier as people would walk on the footpath at the northbound end of the road. But now, since that has been removed, we have to struggle and walk on the footpath on the southbound side, and avoid obstacles as they come. This road needs a footpath that is walkable.”
The skywalk dismantled for construction of Vikhroli road overbridge
The footpath in question is merely about two feet wide at its broadest portions, but at some locations it gets as narrow as 30 cm. Prajwal Mehta, whose office is opposite the Vikhroli ROB, said, “It is impossible to walk on the footpath. We face a lot of difficulty as everyone tries to walk on the road due to the footpath being useless. We get honked at by vehicles to the point where one temporarily loses hearing.”
Pedestrians forced to walk on the road
Adding to his previous statement, Rokade said, “The worst part about the stretch is that in some portions, the streetlights aren’t working, which adds to the already unsafe road. Walking in the evening becomes a task.” mid-day contacted BMC’s S ward but did not get a response till going to press.
