- Mumbai is not only considered the most happening city in the Indian context, but is also mentioned as the financial capital for some reason. Not only do all major business houses wish to establish themselves in Maharashtra’s capital, but they also identify themselves as the economic drivers contributing to the nation’s overall growth. Not restricted to the business houses, Mumbai is also home to the Indian movie industry, where the contribution of Hindi cinemas to the cause is enormous. So much so that Mumbai continues to enjoy a special place in every Indian’s heart, even as some of the most heinous and dastardly terrorist attacks have ensured the city has had its share of disasters. This is apart from the natural calamities, mind you.
PC: Hindustan Times
- And one of the often-heard monikers associated with Mumbai is the resilience exhibited by its citizens after encountering bomb blasts, terrorist attacks, monsoon vagaries, and apathetic civic amenities, testing the people’s patience to the core. Let’s be pragmatic for once by not celebrating Mumbai’s resilience yet again. The recent monsoon deluge has left the city marooned, with civic amenities crying out for desperate help. The ideal way out is to fix Mumbai’s capacity to cope with the rains. That stranded monorail said it all recently. Once upon a time, Bombay, as it was then called, was clearly ahead of the curve. Unfortunately, it isn’t anymore. This year’s first downpour in May set water gushing into a newly inaugurated metro station at Worli.
PC: News18
- For the uninitiated, Worli is notable for some of India’s priciest real estate. Inadequate drainage was the reason. This week, intense rain not only stalled the city but also left the nation marveling at images of two monorail rakes frozen in rush hour. Because Mumbai floods at least once every monsoon, it’s easy to be blasé about it. But Mumbai is India’s second most populous city, financial capital, and HQ of a state aiming to hit $1tn GSDP. Monorail is its showpiece infra, kept going at a loss of Rs.550cr per year. So, the sight of hundreds of passengers being rescued on fire ladders hardly inspires confidence. The government can, of course, count on time to erase such irksome memories. The New York subway was flooded in a storm last month, and nobody quit that city.
PC: Yatri
- But that’s not the point. Nobody can account for freak weather. Notably, rainfall didn’t exceed 250mm on any single day this past week. With the recommended capacity enhancement, it should have been manageable. Yes, climate change has significantly increased the number of heavy rain days in Mumbai. Despite doubling the city’s peak drainage capacity from 25mm to 55mm per hour, the necessity is felt to further increase it to 120mm per hour in the low-lying areas at least. Clearing encroachment of the city’s natural drainage system is a must. Mumbai’s stretched to its limit, and every downpour brings it to a halt through a predictable chain reaction. Mumbai can’t wish away the rain, but it can fix its drainage and reputation forthwith.
