Mulund's Planned Legacy Collides With Modern Development Pressures
Mulund, one of Mumbai's earliest planned suburbs established with its distinctive 1922 Crown & Carter gridiron layout, now confronts a severe urban crisis as rapid redevelopment dramatically outpaces essential civic upgrades. The suburb, divided into Mulund West and East under T ward, faces mounting frustration from residents and activists who report that basic infrastructure has completely failed to keep pace with the ongoing construction boom.
Political Dominance Versus Ground Reality
Politically, Mulund has long been considered a BJP stronghold. The party demonstrated its dominance by sweeping all six municipal seats during the 2017 BMC elections. In the recent 2024 Lok Sabha election, BJP candidate Mihir Kotecha secured over 60,000 more votes than his Shiv Sena (UBT) rival within Mulund, despite losing the overall constituency. Kotecha further reinforced his position by winning the assembly seat for the second time last year with a decisive margin of approximately 90,000 votes. The area's substantial Gujarati and Rajasthani voter base traditionally turns out in significant numbers to support the party.
However, activists argue that the BJP's development narrative sharply contrasts with the deteriorating civic conditions experienced by residents daily.
Residents Voice Growing Infrastructure Concerns
Prakash Padikkal of the Hillside Residents' Welfare Association (HIRWA) emphasized the evident strain on Mulund's infrastructure. "Despite long-standing proposals to widen Mulund Colony Road, absolutely no progress has been achieved, even as the population continues to expand rapidly. The construction of 4,000 new apartments in the Mulund hills raises serious concerns about whether existing amenities can handle the additional burden," he stated.
Padikkal strongly criticized the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for halting road improvement work midway, leaving extensive stretches excavated for concreting and causing daily inconvenience to both motorists and pedestrians. He also highlighted problems with a newly constructed garden in Mulund West, which lacks basic security and proper maintenance and has unfortunately become a hotspot for illicit activities.
"Water shortages and inadequate sanitation further worsen the situation, with some areas still dependent on water tankers and sewage being improperly managed," Padikkal added.
Civic activist Bharat Soni echoed these concerns, particularly emphasizing the narrow approach roads leading to new housing developments and increasing air and noise pollution levels. He warned that utilizing large portions of saltpan land in Mulund East for Dharavi rehabilitation could significantly increase flooding risks, as these lands historically facilitated natural drainage.
"The incomplete Metro 4 project, which doesn't connect to any railway station, provides no relief to residents who depend heavily on trains for daily commuting," Soni noted. "This doesn't even address the shortage of playgrounds and unfinished concreting work that has dramatically worsened traffic conditions."
Official Response and Promised Solutions
Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha pointed to several upcoming initiatives that might offer some relief to residents. He mentioned that three new gardens and a bird park had been recently inaugurated, while a connector road at Mhada in Mulund East has already reduced travel time and eased congestion.
"A new 428-bed municipal hospital is scheduled to open in December, providing much-needed healthcare facilities to the community," Kotecha stated, while acknowledging that garbage accumulation and inadequate waste management continue to pose significant health hazards.
The MLA also outlined traffic improvement plans, noting that four left-turn ramps planned on the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road should ease congestion at the Eastern Express Highway-Airoli junction within eight months. Additionally, a road in the Development Plan connecting LBS Marg to Raja Industrial Estate (Sarvodaya Nagar Road) is expected to reduce traffic congestion at Sonapur junction.
Persistent Civic Challenges Demand Immediate Action
Former corporator Sunil Gangwani stressed the urgent need to reopen the revamped MT Agrawal Hospital, which has remained closed for an astonishing 12 years, forcing residents to travel long distances for medical treatment. He criticized BMC for failing to improve public health services, the continuously deteriorating road conditions, the spread of slums, and the persistent problem of hawkers encroaching on footpaths.
Gangwani also highlighted inadequate garbage collection and serious sewage issues exacerbated by increased FSI due to ongoing redevelopment projects.
Another civic activist summarized the situation starkly: "Mulund is grappling with multiple civic issues, ranging from inadequate infrastructure and sanitation to water shortages in hilly areas that depend largely on tankers. Urgent, coordinated action from BMC and elected representatives is absolutely essential to restore quality of life in this once well-planned suburb."
The contrast between Mulund's carefully planned origins and its current infrastructure struggles highlights the broader challenges facing Mumbai's suburbs as they balance development pressures with maintaining essential civic services and quality of life for residents.
