MUMBAI, Nov. 21 -- Signalling a major policy shift toward pedestrian-first planning in Mumbai, the BMC floated a Rs.100-crore tender on Thursday for 16.55 km of footpath. The project, which includes 14 footpaths, will either construct new footpaths or upgrade them, adhering to walkability standards laid down by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC). The BMC's walkability project is a city-wide initiative to improve pedestrian infrastructure, focusing on creating safer, more accessible, and inclusive footpaths. This involves a budget of Rs.100 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year to implement the 'Universal Footpath Policy', which mandates features like continuous footpaths, lower kerb heights, and dedicated accessible routes. The project also aims to address obstacles such as encroachments from hawkers and parked vehicles, while also fostering public-private partnerships for specific projects like the pedestrian plazas at Kalaghoda in Colaba and Regal Cinema. P3...