India, Jan. 3 -- Footpaths across Mumbai have increasingly become hostile spaces for pedestrians - broken pavements, encroachments and poor design have forced them to walk on roads negotiating fast-moving traffic. Citizen groups say the failure to protect pedestrian space has made routine walking unsafe, particularly for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities. Several citizen charters released ahead of the BMC elections have demanded a clear shift in vision on how the city plans and enforces pedestrian infrastructure. The MNDCF, for instance, has stated that the civic body must "prioritise pedestrian safety and accessibility (not just on paper) in all kinds of urban planning by implementing the pedestrian-first policy in letter and spirit," and push for the creation of "dedicated pedestrian zones, safe crossings and universal accessibility standards." Citizen forums have also highlighted the absence of visible pedestrian markings, poorly designed speed breakers and rapid wear-and-tear of footpath materials....