Mumbai’s Monday morning was marred by seasonal flooding as office-goers exiting the busy Bandra East railway station were greeted by a submerged road and a disorganised transport situation, raising pressing concerns about civic preparedness and resilience in one of the city’s most vital business corridors.
The first weekday after the onset of monsoon rains exposed systemic infrastructural weaknesses in the Bandra East locality, with stagnant water accumulating outside the suburban station. The road, which typically serves as a vital connector for daily commuters heading toward commercial zones such as Kala Nagar and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), was waterlogged and choked with stranded commuters vying for limited autorickshaws.Despite Bandra’s status as a critical transport and business hub, the lack of an integrated drainage and pedestrian transit solution was painfully visible. As commuters alighted from local trains, many were seen wading through ankle-deep water and uneven terrain, with no clear demarcation for rickshaw queues or shelter from the downpour. The usual crowd management seen during peak hours had collapsed into chaos.
Several Mumbaikars voiced frustration over the perennial lack of proactive civic interventions. The area outside the station, often cluttered and ill-maintained, becomes a hazard during the rains. What exacerbated Monday’s ordeal was the absence of a coherent plan to ensure smooth last-mile connectivity in adverse weather conditions. Rickshaw drivers struggled to navigate the waterlogged stretch while commuters had to jostle for rides or walk long distances to reach arterial routes.At the Churchgate-end bridge, which connects various lanes of Bandra East, the situation was even more precarious. The already uneven road surface became dangerously slippery, putting elderly and disabled commuters at heightened risk. There were no visible efforts from local authorities to regulate traffic or guide commuters to safer boarding points for public transport.
Given the annual recurrence of such issues during Mumbai’s monsoon season, there is increasing public demand for investment in sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure. Smart drainage systems, improved last-mile connectivity options, and dedicated pedestrian pathways have long been proposed by urban planners but remain under-implemented.The Bandra East episode once again underscores the mismatch between the city’s economic ambitions and its fragile civic foundations. As Mumbai continues to position itself as a global financial centre, its inability to provide safe and reliable daily transit during routine monsoon spells raises serious questions about long-term urban planning and governance.
A city aspiring for global competitiveness must prioritise inclusive and climate-conscious infrastructure. Until then, Mumbaikars will continue to navigate monsoon mornings not just with umbrellas and raincoats, but with lowered expectations of basic civic assurance.
Also Read : Schools Shut in Kerala and Karnataka Amid Heavy Rains
