Mumbai's B Ward, the city's smallest electoral unit with just two corporator seats, presents a stark contrast of historic charm and persistent civic neglect. This area, which encompasses some of Mumbai's oldest neighbourhoods, continues to struggle with fundamental problems like garbage management and inadequate water supply, even as parts of it undergo redevelopment.
A Historic Ward Burdened by Modern Problems
Home to iconic but ageing pockets like Bhendi Bazaar, Dongri, Masjid Bunder, Mohammed Ali Road, and Mandvi, B Ward boasts buildings nearly a century old. While some dilapidated structures are making way for new projects, a stubborn issue remains unchanged: the constant pile-up of waste in its narrow 'house gullies'. Residents describe these choked lanes as a significant hygiene hazard, with a lasting solution seemingly out of reach.
The ward's political landscape has been dominated by the Congress party. In the last municipal election, both corporator seats were won by Congress. This stronghold extends to the assembly and parliamentary levels, with Congress veteran Amin Patel winning the Mumbadevi seat for a fourth consecutive term, and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Sawant retaining the Lok Sabha constituency for a third term. A small portion of the ward now falls under the Colaba assembly segment, represented by BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar.
Water Woes and Infrastructure Challenges
A major grievance echoed by residents and representatives is the crippling water supply issue. Amin Patel highlighted that the ward's population has grown over the years, but the water allocation has remained stagnant for decades, compounded by severely low pressure. "How will this suffice?" he questioned, pointing out that with no elected corporators for over four years, these issues are repeatedly raised with the BMC administration through the MLA.
This concern is shared by Mohammed Imran K Gujarati, president of an NGO operating in Dongri's Nishanpada area. He confirmed that low-pressure water supply is a regular complaint, forcing residents to simply 'make do'. He also flagged the severe parking crisis, exacerbated by redevelopment projects that fail to provide adequate parking spaces. "The roads are already so narrow that in an emergency, it can be very difficult for a fire tender or ambulance to enter," he stated, urging that new buildings be mandated to have proper parking facilities.
Local Interventions and Civic Responsibility
There have been some positive developments. BJP worker and Masjid Bunder resident Sarita Midbaokar cited the reopening of the Sindoor Bridge (formerly Carnac Bridge) in July 2025 as a major relief. The bridge, a crucial east-west link in South Mumbai, was dismantled in August 2022 after being declared unsafe. Its absence had severely disrupted traffic to commercial hubs like Crawford Market and Kalbadevi. Initial traffic issues after its reopening were resolved through the intervention of BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar.
However, the garbage menace requires a collective effort, argues Yusuf Rangwalla, a BJP ward president and trustee of Saifee School. While acknowledging the problem, he emphasises the need for behavioural change among locals. "It’s not fair to expect civic staff to collect garbage that is strewn throughout the day," he said. He also pointed to the rising number of hawkers in already congested areas as another pressing issue for the ward.
Ultimately, B Ward stands at a crossroads, where the promise of redevelopment clashes with the daily reality of civic apathy. The solutions will require not just administrative action but also a concerted effort from the community that calls this historic part of Mumbai home.
