Navi Mumbai, celebrated as the country’s second cleanest city in the latest Swachh Survekshan rankings, finds itself under public scrutiny as the deteriorating condition of Belapur railway station has left residents questioning the credibility of such awards. Despite the city’s recognition for cleanliness, the unhygienic state of one of its most important transit hubs has triggered anger among commuters and raised serious concerns over civic accountability.
A recent inspection by citizen groups revealed a dismal picture around the station premises. Roads near the station were found waterlogged with drainage overflow, while a freshly resurfaced stretch had already begun to crumble within just three months. The partially collapsed wall of the nearby Urban Haat was flagged as a safety risk for pedestrians, forcing them to navigate precarious detours. Commuters also complained of foul odours, unhygienic surroundings, and increasing encroachment by hawkers that made access to the station chaotic and unsafe. Experts pointed out that the state of Belapur station is in sharp contrast to the city’s clean image promoted in surveys. They argued that while ranking assessments may highlight achievements in select zones, the reality for thousands of daily railway passengers remains grim. With sunken paver blocks, potholes, and uneven pathways, the station area reflects years of neglect rather than effective urban planning.
Officials from citizen forums have called for urgent transparency in the functioning of development agencies. They have demanded that senior authorities conduct comprehensive inspections of all railway stations in Navi Mumbai and publish detailed accounts of maintenance spending for the past three years. Activists believe that only public disclosure of such information can restore confidence in governance and ensure that resources meant for infrastructure upkeep are being used effectively. Railway commuters have also criticised the current evaluation methods under Swachh Survekshan. According to them, inspection teams rely heavily on what municipal staff choose to showcase rather than engaging directly with the public. Many residents argued that citizen participation in these surveys is reduced to filling basic yes-or-no forms, without any meaningful opportunity to voice grievances or propose improvements. This, they said, creates an artificial picture of success while masking ground-level failures that directly affect commuters’ health and safety.
The anger among residents has now translated into calls for immediate corrective action. They have urged the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which is responsible for maintaining Belapur station’s surroundings, to take urgent steps to address the visible decay. Citizens have warned that unless the neglected infrastructure is repaired and sanitation standards improved, public health and commuter safety will remain at serious risk. For a city aspiring to be a model of sustainable and citizen-friendly urban development, the disconnect between official rankings and lived realities highlights a crucial gap. While surveys may reward cosmetic achievements, long-term credibility depends on transparent governance, inclusive citizen engagement, and consistent upkeep of public spaces. Navi Mumbai’s challenge now lies in aligning its celebrated reputation with the everyday experience of its residents.
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