Mumbai’s Footpaths A ‘Mixed Bag,’ Says Grok AI Amid BMC’s Promises & Ground Realities
Grok AI, a tech company, has described Mumbai's footpaths as a 'mixed bag' in light of the promises made by the BMC. Despite assurances from the municipal corporation, the ground realities paint a different picture. The discrepancy between the promises and actual conditions of the footpaths has been highlighted by Grok AI. Mumbai residents continue to navigate through the challenges posed by the uneven quality of footpaths in the city.
Mumbai Footpaths: Issues and Challenges
Mumbai’s roads and footpaths remain in a poor state, with ongoing construction, encroachments, and shoddy maintenance making life difficult for pedestrians. Despite repeated assurances from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about improving pedestrian infrastructure, ground realities continue to frustrate residents.
User Seeks AI Perspective on Mumbai Footpaths
Recently, an X user sought an AI perspective on the issue by asking Elon Musk’s AI tool, Grok, to describe the current status of Mumbai’s footpaths. The AI’s response painted a stark picture of the challenges pedestrians face in the city.
Grok's Response on Mumbai Footpaths' Status
According to Grok, as of March 16, 2025, Mumbai’s footpaths remain a 'mixed bag'. While BMC has allocated Rs 100 crore for its 'Universal Footpath Policy' in the 2025-26 budget, implementation hurdles persist. The initiative aims to make footpaths pedestrian and disabled-friendly, ensuring seamless connectivity across the city. Projects such as the construction of new footpaths on 22 roads in the M East ward and the empanelment of urban designers for standardization are steps in the right direction.
However, the reality on the ground contradicts these efforts. Many footpaths remain unusable due to encroachments by hawkers, illegal parking, and even metro construction debris. In some areas, newly built footpaths have been dug up soon after completion, either for utility work or due to encroachments.
Safety Concerns and Encroachments
Safety remains a serious concern. Reports indicate that nearly 50 per cent of Mumbai’s road accident deaths involve pedestrians, highlighting the urgent need for safer walking infrastructure. Areas such as SV Road in the Western Suburbs have witnessed footpaths shrinking due to road widening projects, while in localities like Matunga and Bandra, pedestrian paths are often blocked by temporary structures or vehicles.
Frustration among Mumbaikars is evident on social media, where users frequently complain about subpar construction, frequent digging, and poor enforcement of regulations. While BMC has introduced policies like 'Pedestrian First' to prioritize walkers, critics argue that hawker management, parking regulations, and construction quality need urgent attention to ensure real improvements.
Challenges and Small Victories
Despite these challenges, there are some small victories. Encroachment-free stretches, such as those in Matunga East, offer hope that systematic planning and enforcement can lead to better pedestrian spaces. However, the broader picture suggests that Mumbai’s footpaths are at a crossroads between ambitious plans and deep-rooted infrastructural issues, as per the AI's response. For now, the city’s walkability remains in question, as pedestrians continue to battle encroachments, poor maintenance, and inadequate urban planning. Whether BMC’s latest promises will bring lasting change remains to be seen.