With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) going into elections, issues affecting senior citizens, such as unsafe footpaths, poor road conditions, and the lack of pedestrian safety must be made central to the civic agenda.
I am a 73-year-old senior citizen residing on DK Sandhu Marg in Chembur’s M-East ward. For elderly residents like me, daily life has become increasingly difficult due to persistent civic neglect that directly affects our mobility, health, and sense of safety.
'Broken Footpaths and Potholes Need Fixing'
Broken and uneven footpaths in my area pose serious risks to senior citizens. In several places, footpaths are damaged, uneven, or simply unusable.
Roads dug up by civic agencies are often not restored to their original state.
In August 2025, the BMC had promised that all roads would be pothole-free before the Ganeshotsav. But even today, many potholes remain. For senior citizens, a simple walk can result in a fall and serious injury.
Encroachments have further reduced walkable space. A popular supermarket on DK Sandhu Street, tea stalls, and food vendors have taken over large portions of the footpath, causing congestion and making it difficult for residents to safely make their daily grocery runs.
'Open Gutters, Dust Pose Serious Health Hazards'
Several gutters remain uncovered in my locality, posing grave danger, especially to children and senior citizens.
The problem is compounded by frequent road blockages caused by heavy vehicles. With multiple redevelopment projects underway near 7th Cross Road, trucks carrying cement, bricks, sand, and other construction materials routinely block narrow roads.
There have been instances when I have had to stand for nearly half an hour waiting for these vehicles to pass before I could cross the road. With arthritic knees, such prolonged standing is painful and exhausting, and it places senior citizens at heightened risk.
Several housing societies near my residence are currently undergoing redevelopment, but the construction sites are openly flouting the dust pollution control norms laid down by the BMC. Basic measures such as regular water sprinkling and the use of net barriers are rarely followed. When residents complain, BMC officials make brief, issue warnings, and leave, after which violations continue unabated. This raises serious concerns about accountability and enforcement.
As a result of prolonged exposure to dust, I have developed respiratory problems. I am being treated for blocked airways due to dust exposure. Wearing a mask provides limited relief, and I cannot remain confined indoors all the time.
As Mumbai prepares for civic elections, these everyday struggles of senior citizens must not be overlooked. Development and redevelopment cannot come at the cost of basic safety, health, and dignity.
I urge the BMC to address unsafe footpaths, potholes, encroachments, open gutters, unchecked heavy vehicle movement, and lax enforcement of dust and noise pollution norms so that senior citizens can live with dignity in a city they have spent a lifetime building.
(The author is a retired English professor at SK Somaiya College, Mumbai.)
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