Maharashtra Chief Secretary Acknowledges Lack of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure in Mumbai
Mumbai, 18th October 2024: Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik, acknowledged on Friday that Mumbai lacks the infrastructure for walking and cycling. Speaking at an event hosted by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), she stressed the urgent need to make the city more inclusive and sustainable.
“Currently, it is not designed for pedestrians or cyclists. The critical question is how we can work towards improving this,” Saunik stated during the IFCCI event.
As the senior-most bureaucrat in Maharashtra, Saunik emphasized that sustainable urban development involves planning for greener initiatives. This includes incorporating renewable energy in industries and ensuring urban spaces are filled with green areas.
She observed that recent infrastructure developments in Mumbai have mainly favoured car travel, with numerous toll-free roads being built for vehicles. This approach contrasts with global trends that emphasize pedestrian and cyclist-friendly designs.
While civil society organizations often raise concerns about the challenges faced by walkers and cyclists, these issues frequently go unaddressed. Saunik highlighted the need for urban areas that can alleviate heat, particularly with temperatures often soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. She noted that creating a less energy-dense city would aid in cooling efforts.
French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, emphasized the ecological challenges Mumbai faces as a coastal city, warning that rising sea levels could potentially diminish the city’s landmass by 10% over the next 50 years. He also called for improvements in air quality, pollution control, access to drinking water, and public transportation.
Saunik expressed that Maharashtra seeks assistance from France to create a more integrated metro network and enhance intra-city transport systems.
In a related discussion, French Minister for Olympics and Paralympics, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, highlighted India’s competition with Chile and Indonesia for the opportunity to host the 2036 Summer Games. She stressed the need for a distinctive proposal to secure this honour and the potential benefits it could bring to the city.
Nadir Godrej, Chairman of Godrej Industries, also contributed to the dialogue by advocating for the preservation of Mumbai’s diversity while tackling these urgent urban challenges.
