25 August,2023 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram Iyengar
A glimpse of pedestrians on the road near the railway station on Dadar West
Of the many things that define the modern man, perhaps the most basic is the ability to walk on two feet. "It is the difference between us and apes," Rishi Aggarwal, founder of The Walking Project, points out. A non-governmental venture advocating better walkways around the city, they will conduct their first neighbourhood walk with a difference around Dadar's neighbourhood this weekend.
Walking, Aggarwal notes, is integral to human progress. "And yet, it is looked down upon. Even the word pedestrian has a negative connotation of being unsophisticated," he says. The tour is an effort to change this perception and educate people on the need to tap into the âlargest public space' in a metropolis such as Mumbai.
He will be accompanied by 24-year-old programme manager Vedant Mhatre. "There is angst amongst Mumbaikars about the walking conditions, but they never analyse or know why it is so," Mhatre observes, adding that better footpaths not only reduce carbon emissions in a city, but also make it more inclusive for everyone.
To test this, the trail will chart its path from the western side of Dadar railway station to the viewing deck at Dadar Chowpatty, taking a straight route along Ranade Road. As one of the older neighbourhoods in the city, the region has footpaths measuring three to four meters on average, they explain. En route, they will offer an insight into the existing pathways by using a laser width measuring pointer. "We hope to help people visualise the ideal walkway, to understand what the causes and issues are," Mhatre says.
The walk will cover a distance of two and a half kms, and will return to Dadar railway station via Shivaji Park. While there is no registration charge, Mhatre informs, "We have the option for participants to donate to the cause and future walks if they wish."
"We don't want to make it boring, but want people to focus on the height and width of the walkways, the ideal surface quality and the things that bring you joy," Aggarwal informs. As a beginning, the duo plan to make this a fortnightly experience with the next one likely to focus on a stretch in Andheri-Kurla Road. In addition, the group is also looking to get more people on-board to host similar walks in neighbourhoods beyond the island city.
"It is the most basic of human traits," Aggarwal remarks, "Fish swim. Birds fly. Humans walk," he concludes.
On August 27; 8 am
Meeting poinT Suvidha Store, near railway station, Dadar West.
Call 9821881181 (to register)
Log on to walkingproject.org
