Maharashtra
Mumbai Rains: Waterlogging, Severe Traffic Jams Trigger Outrage Among Activists And Citizens Over Authorities’ Failures Despite Crore-Worth Investments

Mumbai: Nearly two decades ago, Mumbaikars endured a nightmare that still lingers in their memories. Despite investing several crores of rupees, the city remains plagued by persistent waterlogging and severe traffic disruptions.
Last Wednesday, this ongoing issue came to a head, prompting backlash from activists, citizens’ associations, and former corporators who condemned the civic body for its repeated failures.
This Friday was no exception, as heavy rainfall continued from Thursday night, leading to widespread waterlogging and significant traffic disruptions across major routes. Multiple vehicle breakdowns exacerbated the traffic jams, particularly in the central and western suburbs.
As per data received from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) the city has received more than its monthly average rainfall in just five days of rainfall that began on September 23. During this period, the city recorded 393 mm of rain from September 23 to 27, exceeding the monthly average of 359.6 mm.
This significant rainfall also pushed the total seasonal precipitation past 3,000 mm, with the Santacruz observatory recording 3,016 mm as of the morning of September 27.
On Friday, One of the major disruptions occurred at the Andheri subway, which was closed after it became heavily waterlogged. This forced traffic authorities to divert vehicles to the Gokhale Bridge. Several vehicles broke down in the area, exacerbating the already dire traffic situation.
The day began with a major traffic jam at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) connector caused by a BEST bus breakdown, worsening congestion amid peak-hour traffic and the closure of the Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB).
As rainfall intensified in the western suburbs, waterlogging in areas like Andheri led to the subway’s closure. The Eastern Freeway experienced water accumulation and low visibility, significantly slowing traffic and impacting movements in the eastern suburbs and South Mumbai, including P. D’Mello Road.
Mumbai Traffic Police reported additional disruptions across the city, including delays at Aarey Bridge due to a tempo breakdown, Marine Plaza in South Mumbai from a bus breakdown, and Airoli Bridge from a car breakdown.
Other blockages were reported at Sion Hospital Road from a fallen tree, Dindoshi on Altamount Road due to a vehicle breakdown, and the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, where another vehicle broke down.
Meanwhile, recent rainfall has led to the identification of several new flooding hotspots, including Mankhurd, Govandi, Godrej Jetty in Vikhroli East, Bhandup and Powai.
Civic data reveals that Mankhurd recorded an astonishing 276.20 mm of rain between 6 pm and 10 pm on Wednesday, while Bhandup received 198.39 mm. The average rainfall in the eastern suburbs during this period was 167.48 mm.
Overflowing drains also caused waterlogging on the railway tracks severely affecting Central and Harbour Railway services. Reflecting on the past, activists noted that on July 26, 2005, the city was overwhelmed by 944 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours.
Today, even a mere 200 mm can result in flooding. The rampant concretisation has destroyed natural drainage systems, leaving no place for rainwater to go. Additionally, construction debris and garbage dumped in nullahs continue to choke stormwater drains, worsening the situation, activists expressed.
The civic body claimed that around 300 dewatering pumps were activated on Wednesday. However, sources noted that many of these pumps were unable to handle the water pressure and failed to recede rainwater quickly.
Former Opposition leader Ravi Raja expressed his frustration, stating, “Shame on the BMC for their failure to properly cover nullahs or fix manholes. They have squandered hundreds of crores yet still fail to fulfill their responsibilities. The annual spending on desilting work is merely eyewash—public money goes down the drain.”
The Andheri subway has been shut down multiple times this monsoon. Dhaval Shah, founder of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association, added, “The narrowing of the nullah has obstructed water flow. The BMC doesn’t need to implement fancy solutions; they simply need to remove encroachments near Mogra nullah.”
Activist Godfrey Pimenta expressed concern, stating, “Despite substantial taxpayer investments in infrastructure, the situation is deteriorating. We’re witnessing the alarming collapse of bridges, flooding in subways, crumbling buildings, and frequent fire incidents. It’s clear that the BMC has failed to fulfill its mandate for effective civic management.”
Environmental activist Zoru Bhathena added, “In 2005, the city experienced exceptional rainfall of 944 mm, but now even 200 mm leads to waterlogging in several areas. It’s shameful that the situation hasn’t improved. Rainwater should be absorbed by the ground, with excess flowing into the drains. The BMC spends crores annually on drains and concrete, but where will the water go?”.
Meanwhile, a senior civic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted, “The IMD issued a red alert at 5:40 PM on Wednesday, but heavy rain had already started, and commuters were heading home. When we pump out water, it should go into the stormwater drains; however, the nallahs and drains were overflowing, leaving us unable to dispose of the excess water. In recent years, we’ve seen changing rainfall patterns, resulting in record levels of rain in specific areas.”
The official added that coastal cities like Mumbai are increasingly vulnerable due to extensive concretisation, which limits natural drainage and reduces water absorption capacity. “The stormwater drains in the suburbs can handle around 50 mm of rain per hour, while the island city has underground drains. We are currently identifying new flooding spots alongside the existing ones, and our officials will inspect each site to determine remedial measures,” he added.
Education
BMC Postpones The Online Examination For Civil Sub-Engineer Post, Expected To Be Conducted Within 15 Days

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that the online exam for the Sub-Engineer (Civil) position has been postponed. This update was shared on X on Tuesday, March 4. The exam, which was originally scheduled for March 9, is now rescheduled. BMC also mentioned that the exam is expected to take place within the next 15 days. Candidates are advised to keep an eye out for the rescheduled date of the online examination.
BMC shared the information in a post on X, they said, ”The online examination for the post of Sub-Engineer (Civil), scheduled for 9th March 2025, has been postponed. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had earlier announced the schedule for online examinations to fill 690 vacant engineering cadre posts through direct recruitment on its official website. Among these, the online examination for the Sub-Engineer (Civil) post, scheduled for 9th March 2025, has been postponed. The examination is expected to be conducted within approximately 15 days. Once the revised date is finalized, it will be published on the BMC’s official website and in newspapers. Candidates are requested to take note of this update”.
Regarding the Rescheduling of the Online Exam
The BMC has announced that they will provide updates through newspapers and their official website. The online exam is expected to take place within the next 15 days. Candidates are advised to pay attention to the exam updates; detailed information will be shared with them once the date is finalised.
Previously, the BMC also mentioned that the schedule for online examinations to fill 690 vacant engineering cadre positions through direct recruitment on their official website.
How to Check for Updates
According to the information provided by the BMC, updates will be posted online on their handle, “@mybmc,” and will also be shared through newspapers with the students.
Maharashtra
Abu Azmi Suspended From Maharashtra Assembly Till End Of Budget Session Over Remarks Praising Aurangzeb

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday over his recent controversial remarks praising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The Maharashtra SP President’s suspension comes amid the ongoing state Budget Session, and he will remain suspended from the House till the end of the Session, as per reports.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi would be suspended from the Assembly over his controversial remarks praising Aurangzeb and stated that “the people of Maharashtra will not forgive him.”
Addressing the media, Shinde stated that Azmi’s statement would have consequences. “His statement will cost him… He will be suspended. We have put forth our demand to suspend him from the House,” he said.
Shinde’s remarks came just hours after Azmi issued an apology, claiming that his words had been misinterpreted. The SP leader had praised Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, sparking a political controversy and backlash from various quarters. In response, Azmi released a video clarifying that he was merely citing historical accounts and had no intention of disrespecting any revered figures.
Abu Azmi Issues Clarification On Aurangzeb Remark
“My words have been twisted. I only stated what historians and writers have claimed about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali,” Azmi said. In the same video message posted on his X platform, he reiterated that he had not made any derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any other respected figures in Maharashtra. However, he acknowledged the outrage and expressed regret, saying, “If my statement has hurt anyone, I take back my words and apologize.”
Azmi also criticised how the controversy had been politicised, suggesting that it was being used to divert attention from more pressing governance issues. He voiced concern over the disruption of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s budget session due to the uproar, arguing that such controversies harm public interests. “The issue is being made political, and shutting down the budget session over this is harmful to the people of Maharashtra,” he stated.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Congress Threatens To File Privilege Notice Against CM Devendra Fadnavis Over Dhananjay Munde’s Resignation

Mumbai: The Congress legislature party is preparing to file a breach of privilege notice against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the resignation of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde.
Former MPCC president and MLA Nana Patole argued that, as per legislative rules, the chief minister should have first disclosed the information in the house before announcing it publicly. He stated that it was a long-standing convention and accused Fadnavis of suppressing information from the legislature. Patole confirmed that the Congress would move a breach of privilege motion against the CM on Wednesday.
Dhananjay Munde Resigns After CM Fadnavis Asks Him To Step Down
Dhananjay Munde resigned from his post on Tuesday following intense political pressure over the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district. His resignation came amid mounting demands from opposition parties, who had threatened to disrupt the legislative session if he did not step down.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted the resignation before attending the assembly session and later announced that Munde had stepped down voluntarily. The resignation letter was sent to the governor for further process.
High-Level Meet At Ajit Pawar’s Bungalow
The decision came after a high-level meeting at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s official residence, Devgiri Bungalow, on Monday night. The meeting was attended by Fadnavis, Pawar, state minister Sunil Tatkare, and Munde. With growing public outrage over the case, Fadnavis reportedly told Munde that resigning was the best course of action to prevent further political damage to the Mahayuti government.
Munde’s resignation has sparked strong political reactions, with the opposition continuing to demand accountability. Meanwhile, the investigation into Santosh Deshmukh’s murder is ongoing and authorities are expected to take further legal action against those involved.
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