National News
Mumbai BMC Elections 2026: As The City Votes Amid Political Noise, Civic Governance, Sustainability And Survival Remain Ignored
The election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is just a few days away. The contest among candidates of various political parties has intensified. Amid all this political churn, the common Mumbaikar remains silent—as does this metropolis that provides livelihoods to millions of families every day. Spread over 480 square kilometres, this city deserves to be discussed beyond the lens of politics.
Mumbai contributes 45 to 50 per cent of the state’s total revenue. Additionally, Mumbai’s share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 6.16%. As India aspires to become a USD 5 trillion economy and Maharashtra seeks to make a substantial contribution to it, Mumbai’s role becomes vital. For that, the city’s governance must be equally strong. Roads, sewage systems, street lighting, healthcare, education, and maintaining the city’s aesthetics must therefore be top priorities for the municipal corporation.
The last municipal election was held in 2017. After that, the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 were spent battling COVID-19. During these three years, the corporation’s focus changed completely. Activity in its buildings came to a halt. In March 2022, the elected body of the BMC was dissolved; four years have now passed since then. For seven years—three years of COVID and four thereafter—the corporation functioned without elected councillors. During this period, many officials retired, creating a significant vacuum.
Now, new councillors will come in, and much of the administrative machinery is also relatively new. How they will function will be interesting to watch. Increasing the corporation’s revenue is imperative. Large infrastructure projects have put pressure on the civic treasury. It is said that in the last four years, the corporation has issued work orders worth around ₹2.5 lakh crore. Whether the civic coffers can withstand such strain should have been seriously considered.
The next five years will be extremely challenging for the corporation. Every month, ₹700–800 crore is required just to pay salaries. The corporation cannot be run on emotional politics alone; it requires a practical approach and capable leadership. Around ₹10,000 crore is due to the corporation from various state government departments and authorities.
Even if the corporation currently appears flush with funds, ignoring civic amenities and administration will lead to very serious problems. In recent years, an important business district like the Bandra–Kurla Complex (BKC) has developed. It houses the US Consulate, a bullet train station, a diamond hub, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s indoor stadium, and offices of the central government and leading corporate groups. Yet, there is not a single well-equipped municipal building in this area that could serve as a major center for suburban civic services—no one ever planned for it.
The seating capacity of the assembly hall at the BMC headquarters is 70, yet 270 councillors sit there. During meetings, a large number of officials have to stand. The fact that no one thought of constructing an alternative municipal building after Independence is a stark reality.
The real focus should be on the quality of life and living standards of Mumbai’s citizens. In truth, Mumbai’s infrastructure projects should have begun much earlier. In many major cities around the world, such projects started decades ago—the London Tube, for instance, is about 100 years old.
Recent episodes of air pollution underline how essential it is to address Mumbai’s environmental needs. Mangroves along the coastline play a crucial role, yet permissions to cut them are repeatedly sought for infrastructure projects.
While presenting Mumbai’s climate action plan in 2021, then Municipal Commissioner I.S. Chahal stated that 70–80 per cent of Wards A, B, C, and D in South Mumbai would be submerged by 2050 due to rising sea levels. If areas such as Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, Nariman Point, Colaba, Cuffe Parade, and Fort are likely to go underwater, then why are thousands of crores being invested in infrastructure in these zones? No one seems to be discussing this.
The corporation’s primary responsibility is to provide civic amenities. Mumbai contributes enormously to both the state and national exchequer—about 30 percent of national income and nearly half of the state’s revenue come from this city. Therefore, large infrastructure projects should ideally be undertaken by the government, while municipal funds should be used for basic civic services. But this is not what is happening.
The Coastal Road was built at a cost of around ₹15,000 crore. Its annual maintenance cost is said to be between ₹800 and ₹1,000 crore. Responsibilities such as resurfacing, signal systems, tunnel maintenance, manpower, and control rooms lie with the corporation. There is no alternative revenue model for this 18 km stretch, which is primarily used by car owners. Traffic inflow has increased after the connectivity of the coastal road was provided to the Sea Link. But, toll is collected on the Sea Link but not on the Coastal Road. A part of that revenue income ideally should go towards the BMC, which is not happening.
Even a platform ticket at a railway station costs ₹10, but the Coastal Road is free. The corporation’s responsibility is not limited to catering to the elite of the western suburbs; it must also address the needs of residents in the eastern suburbs and informal settlements.
Adding to the burden, the responsibility for the Versova–Dahisar stretch of the Coastal Road has fallen on the corporation. The Bandra–Versova section will be handled by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, and there is an expectation that the BMC should take responsibility further north up to Mira–Bhayandar. While such an expensive facility is being created in one specific part of the city, its cost will be borne by all Mumbaikars.
Mumbai’s water needs are also being ignored. Not a single dam has been built after the Middle Vaitarna. On the contrary, Mumbai witnesses massive construction activity for skyscrapers, large infrastructure projects—all of which require enormous amounts of water.
Currently, Mumbai faces a shortfall of 400–500 million litres of water per day. Water tariffs have not been increased in the last 2–3 years. People pay ₹20 for a one-litre bottle of packaged water, yet the corporation supplies 1,000 litres of water for just ₹5. This water is brought from 125 km away and treated in municipal purification plants. Still, tariffs are not increased for the sake of popularity.
Mumbai’s sewage system is not 100 per cent complete. In some areas, untreated sewage flows directly into the sea or drains, leading to serious problems that are largely ignored.
The municipal healthcare system is under tremendous pressure and needs serious attention. Certain hospitals attract heavy patient loads due to better treatment facilities, but they lack sufficient beds. No serious effort has been made to establish a good super-speciality hospital. Land allotted by the state government for a cancer hospital in Marol was given to Seven Hills Hospital, which landed in trouble. The issue is still unresolved. Even today, there is no good hospital in the eastern suburbs.
The announcement of “Zero Prescription”—ensuring citizens would not need to buy medicines from outside—was made three years ago, but it has not been fully implemented.
To win elections, populist announcements are made. Most of the working class is engaged in the service sector. Even a one-bedroom apartment costs around ₹1 crore. Working citizens want quality roads, railways, and civic amenities, and a better standard of urban life. Instead of focusing on this, announcements are made about concessions in property taxes. Earlier, homes up to 500 sq ft were given concessions; now there is talk of extending this to homes up to 700 sq ft. There is little thought about the real needs of a world-class city versus what is actually being offered.
Mumbai generates around 8,000 metric tonnes of waste every day. Political leaders say that no charges will be levied for waste management. But this waste is not generated only by the city’s 15 million residents; large numbers of people who visit this metropolis for various reasons also contribute. This fact needs to be considered.
Municipal administration was once a strong backbone of the BMC. Many administrators have left their mark on the BMC—S S Tinaikar, Sharad Kale, and Subodh Kumar are among the recent lot. Through the concept of fungible Floor Space Index (FSI), Subodh Kumar created a new source of revenue for the corporation.
The administration, which should be accountable to citizens, has become more accountable to political leadership. Issues raised by political leaders receive more attention than civic problems raised by citizens.
The corporation has 1.4 lakh sanctioned posts, of which around 50,000 are said to be vacant. This affects the delivery of civic services. About half of the workforce operates outside offices, and around 35,000 employees are engaged in solid waste collection and management.
Despite being as large as a state, the BMC still does not have full e-filing or comprehensive e-governance. While about 350 services have been made available online, it cannot be said that citizens are fully satisfied with municipal administration.
Employee-related issues are also not resolved swiftly. Pension payments for retired employees rarely begin within a few months; many have to wait for a year or more.
The practice of giving annual subsidies to the BEST undertaking from the municipal treasury has made its administration complacent. Nobody asks when the BEST will become self-reliant and when the burden on the corporation will reduce. No clear roadmap is sought from BEST. Subsidies are meant to improve service quality for citizens, not just for employees—this is often overlooked.
Mumbai is criticised for flooding, pothole-ridden roads, and deaths caused by people falling into manholes. Parking availability, usage, and roadside parking are serious issues. In many global cities, citizens can check online whether parking is available in a particular area at a specific time and plan accordingly. Mumbai lacks such a system.
There is no clear policy on encroachments and unauthorised constructions. No matter how strict the rules, the problem keeps growing. Around 6.5 million people in this metropolis live in slums. Providing them with facilities is a responsibility—but it is equally important to consider how the corporation raises funds to do so.
Crime
Operation VISTA 1.0: Delhi Police arrest seven Bangladeshi nationals for violating visa conditions

New Delhi, Aug 11: In a major crackdown on foreign nationals violating immigration norms, the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of Delhi Police’s Central District successfully carried out “Operation VISTA 1.0” (Visa Status Verification), leading to the apprehension of seven Bangladeshi nationals for violating the conditions of their visas and overstaying in India beyond the permissible period.
The operation was launched as part of an ongoing drive to identify foreign nationals residing illegally in the national capital by overstaying or breaching visa regulations. During the special verification campaign, police teams conducted extensive checks at hotels, guest houses, and other establishments accommodating foreign nationals across the Central District.
According to Delhi Police, the operation gained momentum when a police team patrolling the Nabi Karim area received specific information from a reliable source that several Bangladeshi nationals whose visas had expired were residing illegally there. Acting on the information, the police apprehended one individual, identified as MD Nazrul Islam Foisal, a resident of Noakhali district in Bangladesh.
During questioning, Foisal disclosed that he was a Bangladeshi national residing in the Nabi Karim area. He produced his Bangladeshi passport, which was verified on the spot. Police found that his passport had been issued on February 8, and that his authorised stay in India was valid only until August 7. However, he was found residing in the country beyond the permitted period without obtaining any extension or authorisation from the competent authorities.
During sustained interrogation, Foisal revealed that several other Bangladeshi nationals were also living in Delhi after violating the conditions of their visas. The information was immediately shared with Inspector Sandeep Dabas, In-Charge of AATS, Central District, who directed the formation of a dedicated team to verify the information and take necessary action.
Based on the disclosure, police teams conducted raids at multiple locations in Delhi, including Madanpur Khaddar and Janta Flats in Sarita Vihar. During the raids, six more Bangladeshi nationals were located and apprehended. Their passports, visas and travel documents were thoroughly examined.
Verification of their immigration records revealed that all seven individuals had entered India legally on Double Entry Visas. Under the conditions of these visas, each visitor was permitted to stay in India for a maximum of 15 days per visit. However, despite the validity of their visas, all seven had exceeded the permissible duration of stay without obtaining any extension or authorisation from the authorities.
Police said the violation constituted a breach of visa conditions and attracted legal action under the applicable provisions governing the stay of foreign nationals in India.
Following verification, all seven Bangladeshi nationals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which initiated legal proceedings against them. The FRRO subsequently issued Restriction Orders directing that the individuals be detained pending deportation proceedings.
The seven apprehended individuals have been identified as MD Nazrul Islam Foisal, 26, Mohammad Amjad Hossen, 26, Moinul Hossain, 24, Alamin, 25, MD Kawasae Ali, 25, Amran Hossain, 29, and Afranul Haque Bhuyan Sami, 23, all residents of different districts of Bangladesh.
During interrogation, the accused admitted that they had entered India on valid Double Entry Visas and were residing in various parts of Central and South Delhi. Detailed scrutiny of their travel documents established that although their visas remained valid, they had violated the mandatory condition restricting each stay to a maximum of 15 days.
Police officials said all facts were cross-verified with immigration records before legal action was initiated. The authorities emphasised that the action was taken strictly in accordance with immigration laws and established procedures.
As part of the proceedings, police seized and verified seven Bangladeshi passports, seven Indian Double Entry Visas and seven mobile phones. These documents have been taken into possession for verification and further legal action.
The apprehended individuals have been shifted to the Detention Centre at Sewa Dham, Shahzada Bagh, Sarai Rohilla, where they will remain until the completion of deportation formalities.
Police further stated that no previous criminal involvement of any of the seven Bangladeshi nationals has come to light during verification. The present action pertains solely to violations of visa conditions arising from overstaying beyond the permissible period prescribed under their visas.
National News
Don’t panic, don’t run away; listen to HM Shah’s reply: BJP sharpens attack on Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, Aug 11: Amid the ongoing Parliament stand-off, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a scathing critique of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, accusing them of holding the House to ransom and exploiting the students’ protest to gain political mileage.
In a pointed attack at the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, the BJP claimed that his arrogance was a key reason behind the Parliament logjam.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Constitution makers would never have imagined that the temple of democracy would become ‘hostage’ to whims, fancies, and the arrogant attitude of any ‘Shehzada’, a pointed reference to LoP Rahul Gandhi.
“Bhaago mat, daro mat, aur kaan kholkar .. grih mantri ka jawaab suno,” the BJP MP said in Hindi, roughly translating into “don’t run, don’t get frightened, and listen to Home Minister’s reply with open ears”.
Pinning the blame on Rahul and Congress for the Parliament washout, he said that the Opposition’s behaviour over the past few days clearly exhibited their disruption tactics and blatant bid to derail the House proceedings.
He said the government was quick and prompt in addressing the issues raised by the Opposition, but they didn’t keep their word.
“They (Opposition) have been consistently changing the goalposts. First, they demanded stern action against the paper leak mafia and strict regulations to address flaws in the NEET examinations. A new bill was approved by the Cabinet and passed by Parliament, the Education Minister stepped down from his post, and the cases against unruly elements during the Jantar Mantar demonstration were also withdrawn,” the BJP national spokesperson said.
Trivedi stated that the government also agreed to the Opposition’s demand for the Home Minister’s reply, but they decided to run away from debate.
“They insisted on Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on the Delhi Police crackdown. The government and Home Minister are ready to give a reply in the House, but the Congress party is bent on disrupting the House by now allowing it to function,” the BJP MP pointed out, accusing them of holding the House to ransom.
Claiming that Congress has a history of ‘running away’, he stated that whenever the government readies its reply on any issue, the Opposition develops cold feet and runs away from the House. He cited previous instances, including the Prime Minister’s reply on the Manipur crisis.
“You must not be frightened; you must not run away from debate. You are neither going to Ranchi, nor are you listening to debate that you are demanding,” he said.
Further taking a swipe at ‘Chhattron ki Goonj’, a Congress event to mobilise students’ anger over paper leaks, Trivedi said that the agony and pain of protesting students was not audible to Rahul and the Congress party because of their duplicity.
“Congress party is least worried about the causes and interests of students and is rather milking the issue for political point-scoring, and their leader (Rahul Gandhi) is leaving no opportunity to hold the House to ransom,” he said.
“When Parliament session is underway, he runs away from the House, and after the session is over, he heads on jaunts at foreign locations,” said Trivedi in a bitter taunt.
National News
Mixed response to Jharkhand bandh, ABVP workers held during protest in Ranchi

Ranchi : The bandh called by the BJP across Jharkhand and the Assembly gherao programme organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Ranchi on Tuesday, in protest against the police lathicharge on students agitating over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, witnessed a mixed response.
While BJP workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads at several locations in the state capital, ABVP activists attempting to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly were stopped and detained by the police.
Despite sporadic disruptions, normal life remained largely unaffected in many parts of Ranchi during the morning hours. Most commercial establishments stayed open and vehicular movement was largely smooth across the city.
From around 8 a.m., BJP workers took to the streets in several localities, urging traders to down shutters in support of the bandh. Road blockades were reported from Kanke Road, Ratu Road, Harmu Chowk, Argora Chowk, Bodeya and near the CMPDI gate.
Protesters also burnt tyres at several places, disrupting traffic for brief periods before police personnel cleared the roads and restored movement.
In Namkum, BJP workers staged a sit-in protest at Bazaar Chowk around 11 a.m. and blocked the Ranchi-Jamshedpur highway after burning tyres. Police later detained the protesters and removed the blockade, resulting in long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway.
A similar protest was organised in Lowadih under the leadership of BJP Mandal president Ashok Gop. According to police, 11 bandh supporters were detained from Lowadih and 17 from Namkum and taken to the local police station.
However, the impact of the bandh was uneven across the state capital. Markets remained open and traffic moved normally in several areas, including Main Road, Bariatu and Morabadi.
Meanwhile, the ABVP’s Assembly gherao programme saw activists from across the state gather near the old Assembly complex to protest Monday’s police action against students associated with the JPSC-JSSC movement.
Sloganeering activists sat on the road and attempted to proceed towards the Assembly premises, but were stopped by police.
A brief scuffle ensued between protesters and security personnel during the standoff.
Police subsequently detained the activists and escorted them into buses. In a dramatic show of protest, some student leaders climbed onto bus roofs and continued raising slogans, while others lay down on the road in front of and behind the vehicles.
Outside Ranchi, the bandh had a more pronounced impact in several districts, including Hazaribagh, Palamu, Giridih and Chatra, where BJP workers organised demonstrations and road blockades, affecting vehicular movement.
In Palamu district, BJP workers blocked roads at Chhahmuhan and Redma Chowk in Daltonganj from the early hours of the morning. BJP’s Palamu district president Amit Tiwari accused the state government of endangering the future of the state’s youth through alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
In Simdega, party workers blocked National Highway-143 at multiple locations, including Biru, disrupting traffic. Similar road blockades were reported from Dhanwar in Giridih district and Pratappur in Chatra district. Demonstrations backing the bandh were also reported from several other parts of the state.
The bandh call came a day after clashes erupted between students and police during a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. Thousands of students had gathered on Monday demanding cancellation of the disputed JPSC and JSSC examinations, reforms in the recruitment process, and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.
Police had erected multiple barricades to prevent protesters from advancing towards the Assembly. Water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd, following which a lathicharge was carried out. Several students and police personnel were reportedly injured in the confrontation.
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