Bombay High Court Reprimands Citizens, Says Citizens Share Responsibility for Mumbai’s Annual Waterlogging, Not BMC Alone

Mumbai, 10th July 2026: The Bombay High Court has said that Mumbai’s persistent monsoon waterlogging cannot be attributed solely to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), observing that citizens also have a significant role to play in preventing flooding across the city.

The remarks were made by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne while hearing matters concerning Mumbai’s monsoon preparedness and civic infrastructure.

Questioning the tendency to place the entire blame on the civic body, the bench noted that waterlogging is often the result of multiple factors, including illegal encroachments, indiscriminate dumping of garbage into drains and poor civic sense. The judges observed that people cannot expect the administration alone to solve the problem if public spaces continue to be misused and stormwater drains remain clogged.

The court pointed out that encroachments have become widespread across the city and even highlighted the presence of unauthorised structures near the High Court premises. It observed that such obstructions hamper the natural flow of rainwater and reduce the effectiveness of Mumbai’s drainage network during heavy rainfall.

The bench also stressed that while the BMC is responsible for maintaining civic infrastructure and ensuring proper desilting of drains before the monsoon, residents too must take responsibility for keeping public spaces clean and free from activities that worsen flooding.

The observations come at a time when Mumbai has once again witnessed heavy rains leading to waterlogged roads, traffic snarls and disruptions to daily life in several low-lying areas. Despite continuous investments in drainage infrastructure over the years, the city continues to struggle with flooding during intense rainfall events.

The High Court’s observations underscore that addressing Mumbai’s recurring monsoon flooding will require a combined effort from both civic authorities and citizens, with better enforcement against encroachments and greater public participation in maintaining the city’s drainage systems.