No Mumbai for the disabled as civic works ignore accessibility laws

Raju Waghmare, 46, a visually challenged social activist working with JJ Hospital, struggles to navigate a dug-up stretch near Siddharth College in Fort. Pic/Shadab Khan

As Mumbai undergoes one of its largest infrastructure overhauls in recent history, persons with disabilities (PwDs) are struggling to cope with dug-up roads and broken footpaths. Despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 - mandating accessible infrastructure - Mumbai's streets and public spaces remain largely non-compliant. The needs of over four lakh disabled citizens are being sidelined amid chaotic civic work.

Resident Rajesh Ashar at Shimpoli Road, where ongoing work has turned Kastur Park in Borivli West into a one-way route, causing major disruption. Pic/Satej Shinde

Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, citizens have the right to safe mobility. Yet, the concreting of roads across the city, especially in South Mumbai, has only made life harder for persons with disabilities.

Northern suburbs (Borivli, Malad, Dahisar)

Dev Nagar Derasar Road dug up for drainage work in Borivli West. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE; (inset) barricades haphazardly set up around a dug-up road at Eksar Road, Borivli West. PIC/DWEEP BANE

In Shimpoli, Borivli West, ongoing work has turned Kastur Marg into a one-way road, creating chaos and long detours. Resident Rajesh Ashar said, "Senior citizens and PwDs are facing the brunt. Traffic snarls and dust pollution are rampant, yet workers don't sprinkle water to control it. We hope the work finishes before monsoon, but that seems unlikely."

#MumbairmpsUp

Disability rights activist and model Virali Modi, with civil platform Jhatkaa.org, has launched #MumbaiRampsUp, demanding inclusion for PwDs. Backed by 4300+ citizens, the campaign urges the BMC and state authorities to make accessibility non-negotiable.

"You can make parks accessible, but what about roads and footpaths?" asks Modi. "This is not just an inconvenience - it's a violation of our basic rights." Modi said, "No more patchwork. No more excuses. Every space under construction must be made accessible before it's marked complete. Mumbai must be rebuilt for everyone."

Western suburbs (Bandra, Andheri)

Ongoing cement concreting (CC) work has left residents in Bandra West and Andheri West - especially the elderly and disabled - virtually trapped in their homes.

Icelina and Anita Fernandes

Icelina, 75, a Bandra West resident, said, "The roads have been dug up since October 2024. Though we allowed BMC to carry out work even at night for quicker completion, progress is painfully slow. Damaged pipelines and electricity lines have added to our troubles. Many senior citizens haven't stepped out in months."

Senior citizens point out to the dug-up stretch outside John Baptist Road in Bandra West. Pics/Shadab Khan

Locals reported multiple power cuts, lasting 6-8 hours, and a lack of coordination among BMC departments. They also flagged severe dust pollution, putting children and the elderly at risk. Anita Fernandes, another Bandra West resident, added, "The BMC didn't even remove loose mud after digging. They complain about bakery smoke, but won't sprinkle water to control dust. Most buildings here house senior citizens over 75. Many haven't been able to visit the hospital, church, or market."

Robert Sequeira, 93, has been homebound for over two months due to inaccessible roads in Bandra West. Pic/Shadab Khan

Wheelchair-bound Robert Sequeira, 93, has been homebound for over two months due to the civic mess. Senior citizen and Bandra West resident Jessie Gracias said, "I have walking difficulties post an accident. With the road outside my building being dug up for over two-and-a-half months, I was unable to go out of the house as we could not take the car out nor get a rickshaw in. The condition of the roads under construction outside my place also made it impossible for me to walk to the main road. I was thus stuck at home for almost 3 months."

South Mumbai (Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Charni Road)

Roadwork in progress at Sukhatwala Lane, Fort, Mumbai, on April 5. Pic/ATUL KAMBLE

Raju Waghmare, 46, a visually impaired activist from Airoli who commutes daily to JJ Hospital, said, "Navigating the city is a nightmare during roadwork. There are no signs or physical indicators for us. Something as simple as poles tied with rope at dug-up patches would help. Sound indicators would be ideal, but they require resources."

A senior citizen walks along 1st Pasta Lane, which is under construction, in Colaba

Jayshree Jadhav, 64, who uses a wheelchair and runs a phone booth in Gamdevi, said, "When the road outside my shop was dug up, I had to wait 30 minutes until a stranger helped me cross. My son had to accompany me daily. It shouldn't be this hard."

Raju Waghmare

Eastern suburbs (Mulund, Ghatkopar, Chembur)

Over 3000 residents of Yogi Hills, Mulund, rely on a single access road now narrowed due to civic work; (inset) Bharat Soni, Secretary of the Hillside Residents Welfare Association, Mulund

In Yogi Hills, Mulund, over 3000 residents rely on a single access road - now halved due to CC work. With footpaths dug up and heavy construction vehicles passing, even schoolchildren and senior citizens are at risk.

Footpaths and roads in Yogi Hills, Mulund, have been dug up, putting schoolchildren and seniors at risk. Pics/Bharat Soni

"This stretch is used by BEST buses, school vans, and construction vehicles. A mishap is just waiting to happen," said Bharat J Soni, secretary of the Hillside Residents Welfare Association.

The only access road to Yogi Hills, Mulund, has been partially blocked due to ongoing concreting work

The campaign calls for

£Accessible design standards in all road and footpath projects
£Universal access in public buildings and transit hubs
£Barrier-free transport options
£Inclusion of PwDs in planning processes
£Regular audits and time-bound implementation