Mumbai is falling apart: where is the accountability?

Stalin Dayanand

Director, Vanashakti

Why is there dirt in the city?

Stalin Dayanand believes that Mumbai’s recurring civil crises arise due to years of poor governance, corruption and a complete lack of accountability. “The city is treated as a cash cow for money-making projects rather than a place for people to live,” he says. According to him, agencies like BMC, PWD and MMRDA continue to work in silos with little coordination or ownership. Even within the BMC, departments often work independently, leading to confusion over responsibility. He cites tree felling as an example, where tree authorities are blamed despite having little actual decision-making power. “Nobody is accountable because no agency takes responsibility for the entire city,” he says. Without coordinated planning and transparent governance, Dayanand believes Mumbai will continue to slide from one avoidable civic crisis to the next.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“Appoint a single nodal authority with the power to coordinate every major civic project in Mumbai and hold that agency accountable. Departments should work together instead of working separately, and citizens should be involved in decision making. Treat Mumbai as a living city – not as separate departments working independently. Every civic project should be scientifically planned, with all concerned departments working together before execution. Only then will Mumbai have a governance system Which will be accountable to its people.

Dhaval Shah

Co-Founder, Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association

Why is there dirt in the city?

Dhawal Shah says Mumbai’s infrastructure has failed to keep pace with its rapid redevelopment and growing population. While tall buildings continue to transform neighborhoods, civic infrastructure has not been upgraded to keep up with the increased demand. He says there is an urgent need to strengthen the city’s storm-drainage system to deal with heavy rains, but the same lack of planning extends to roads and other public services. Shah also blamed poor coordination among government agencies, resulting in roads with fresh concrete being dug up repeatedly for utility works. “Infrastructure is being built in a piecemeal manner rather than as an integrated system,” he says, arguing that the lack of long-term planning has forced Mumbai to spend public money on repairing the same assets rather than building sustainable infrastructure.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“I would urge officials to stop planning projects in silos and start thinking about the long term. Every department should sit together before work begins so that roads are not dug up again and again after repairs are made. Infrastructure should be designed to meet the future needs of the city, not just today’s demands. I will extend the defect liability period for roads, footpaths and bridges to at least seven years, so that contractors can be held accountable for the quality of their work. If they know they will have to bear the cost of repairs, they will think twice before doing so. Better planning, stronger accountability is the only way Mumbai can break this cycle of wasteful spending and crumbling infrastructure.

prakash paddikal

President, Hillside Residents Welfare Association (HIRWA), Mulund

Why is there dirt in the city?

Prakash Padikal believes that Mumbai’s civic decline has a deep connection with the disappearance of meaningful engagement between residents and the administration. He says Advanced Locality Management (ALM) groups once enabled citizens to meet ward officers and deputy municipal commissioners regularly to discuss civic issues, review progress and ensure accountability. Those meetings have now stopped, leaving residents no choice but to write letters, which often go unanswered. “An important bridge between citizens and the administration has broken down,” he says. Padikal also feels that public participation has weakened over the years, allowing civic officials to function without constant scrutiny. According to him, rebuilding trust between citizens and the administration is necessary if governance is to be improved.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“My message is simple: do not allow redevelopment to outstrip infrastructure. Before approving another high-rise building, ask whether there is sufficient water supply, road capacity, gardens, schools, hospitals and other public facilities to support the additional population. Redevelopment cannot happen in isolation. Every new project must be commensurate with investment in civic infrastructure so that existing services are not pushed beyond their limits. Growth is welcome, but it has to be planned. Otherwise, we will only be at the mercy of future generations. are causing major civil problems.”

Urich Kamath

Co-Convenor, Mumbai North Central District Forum

Why is there dirt in the city?

Urich Kamath says Mumbai’s grievance redressal system has failed to provide meaningful accountability. While the BMC encourages citizens to lodge complaints through platforms like MARG, they claim that many receive only automated responses while serious citizen issues remain unresolved. According to him, officials often present routine civic actions taken following complaints as major achievements, even though major concerns remain. Kamath alleges that many life and death issues are pending despite repeated follow-ups by the residents. “Closing complaints on paper is not the same as solving problems on the ground,” he says. For him, the city’s biggest challenge is to ensure that public complaints result in permanent solutions rather than cosmetic action.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“Give Mumbai back its footpaths. Every pedestrian has the right to walk safely without being forced onto busy roads because footpaths are encroached upon, dug up or poorly maintained. Implement BMC’s own ‘Pedestrian First’ policy in letter and spirit rather than keeping it on paper. Safe, continuous and barrier-free footpaths will encourage more people to walk, improve access to public transport and even reduce traffic congestion. A real world-class city is one where people You can walk safely before you can expect to drive comfortably.”

Mandeep Singh Makkar

Founder, Chandivali Citizen Welfare Association

Why is there dirt in the city?

Mandeep Singh Makkar considers corruption within the administration as the main reason for Mumbai’s civic decline. He says that despite BMC’s huge annual budget, citizens are seeing little improvement in infrastructure and public services. According to him, corruption at many levels prevents public funds from being converted into visible development, while nexus between politicians and bureaucrats has weakened governance. Makkar also alleges that citizens are often forced to pay bribes even for routine civic services that should be provided as a matter of right. “When corruption becomes part of the system, governance suffers and citizens lose confidence,” he says, adding that unless transparency and accountability improve, Mumbai’s civic problems will continue to worsen.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“Fix Mumbai’s waste management system, especially in slum areas where organized waste collection is still inadequate. Every locality must have an efficient and reliable system for waste disposal. Garbage thrown into drains and drains eventually clogs storm-water networks, leading to floods during every heavy rain. Better waste management will not only reduce water-logging, but also reduce the spread of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Preventing this will also improve public health. A cleaner city is also a safer and more resilient city.”

Rohit Joshi

Convener-President, Yeoor Environment Society

Why is there dirt in the city?

Rohit Joshi believes Mumbai and Thane are suffering from avoidable civic problems due to poor planning and wrong priorities. He argues that governments continue to invest in expensive mega projects while neglecting everyday public transportation and infrastructure. Congested railways, inadequate bus services and poor last-mile connectivity force more people to use private vehicles, making congestion worse. He also questions housing projects that depend on tanker water instead of assured municipal supply. “If society spends crores of rupees on tanker water every year, it is a failure of planning,” he says. Joshi believes that development has ignored both environmental sustainability and the everyday needs of citizens.

One thing I would say to the authorities

“Please start planning cities in line with people’s daily needs instead of expensive mega projects. Invest in practical solutions like better bus services, dedicated bus corridors and seamless last-mile connectivity before spending thousands of crores of rupees on projects that do not solve everyday problems. Also, stop treating forests as vacant land for development. They are our lungs and our water sources. Every infrastructure project should undergo careful environmental scrutiny. Development and Conservation The ideas are not opposed – they need to go hand in hand if cities are to remain liveable in the long term.”

A small suggestion before uploading: I would slightly change the title to “Mumbai is falling apart. But where is the accountability?” The pause created by “but” makes it read like a classic newspaper page lead. I really think this is the strongest version. And for what it’s worth, I think this package has become something that readers will stop and read.