Film Director Vivek Agnihotri Slams Mumbai Authorities Over Flooding
Mumbai, 8th July 2024: Nearly every year, Mumbai experiences severe disruptions during the monsoon season due to the city’s inadequately maintained infrastructure, leading to extensive waterlogging that halts traffic. Such conditions were witnessed again on Monday, when Mumbai recorded its highest 24-hour rainfall since 2019, with the Santacruz Observatory registering 268 mm of rainfall by morning. The Andheri subway was particularly affected, submerged in water and subsequently closed. Film director Vivek Agnihotri criticized the government for its failure to address this recurring issue, resharing a video of the flooded Andheri subway.
“I’ve lived in Mumbai for 30 years. Every government fails, but this subway never fails to flood,” Agnihotri lamented. “Despite promises, it remains stubborn, causing suffering and casualties.”
This sparked a debate on the viability of subways in Mumbai. One commentator argued, “Subways are a bad idea in India; we need overpasses to avoid such situations. Hope the upcoming underground Metro will help.”
Another pointed out the engineering challenges, stating, “Subways get flooded due to rainfall. I’ve always preferred flyovers over subways; India’s seasonal rains will always pose a challenge.”
A long-time Mumbai resident recalled, “I’ve seen this subway flood every year since the 70s. Unless we elevate it significantly, flooding is inevitable.”
Criticism also targeted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for inadequate urban planning and preparation. “Despite being Asia’s richest municipality, BMC fails every monsoon due to corruption, lack of political will, and public indifference to environmental cleanliness,” one critic opined.
In response to Monday’s heavy rainfall, authorities ordered the closure of all schools and colleges, and numerous flights to and from Mumbai were cancelled or delayed. The local train network also faced significant disruptions. A Western Railway spokesperson assured, “We’re using high-capacity water pumps to clear tracks and ensure smooth travel for Mumbaikars.”
