As Mumbai gears up for crucial civic elections, a glaring paradox unfolds in one of its most prestigious administrative zones. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's D ward, an area that houses the state's most powerful residents, is battling a severe infrastructure crisis that mirrors the problems of the entire city.
The VIP Address With Common Problems
Stretching from the heritage precincts of Khotachiwadi and Nana Chowk to the upscale neighborhoods of Malabar Hill and Breach Candy, D ward is the official address for Maharashtra's Chief Minister, the Governor, Mumbai's Municipal Commissioner, and several top industrialists. However, this VIP tag has not shielded it from the urban decay plaguing Mumbai. For nearly four years, the absence of elected corporators has exacerbated issues like damaged roads, rampant encroachment on footpaths, an acute shortage of parking, and a clutter of political banners.
The ward encompasses six electoral wards (214 to 219) and is home to approximately 3.06 lakh voters, including a significant population of Gujarati and Parsi communities. Despite its elite status, residents report a daily struggle with basic civic amenities.
Residents Voice Their Key Concerns
Local citizens have outlined a host of pressing issues. Vinay Punjabi, a committee member of the Napean Sea Road Citizens' Forum, pointed out the deteriorating quality of roads and the lack of safe footpaths. "The biggest crisis in our ward is the high number of unlicensed hawkers who have taken over every conceivable space, including our walkways," he stated.
Beyond surface-level problems, deeper environmental and safety concerns are emerging. The ward contains at least 15 landslide-prone areas where settlements cling to hill slopes. Pervin Sanghvi, a resident of the geographically vulnerable Malabar Hill area, expressed alarm over unchecked high-rise construction. "The locality's carrying capacity and civic infrastructure are totally ill-equipped to bear the load of increased human and vehicle density," she warned, urging the BMC to prioritize redevelopment of dilapidated structures and slum rehabilitation over indiscriminate new projects.
The construction boom is also eating into the ward's precious open spaces and green cover. D ward boasts 25 open spaces, including iconic grounds like August Kranti Maidan, Priyadarshini Park, and Kamala Nehru Park. A recent conflict over the proposed construction of a new reservoir in the Hanging Gardens, threatening 389 trees, epitomizes the residents' fight to preserve their environment.
Political Landscape and Upcoming BMC Polls
Politically, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a dominant position across D ward. In the previous civic polls, the BJP held four of the six seats, with the remaining two held by the undivided Shiv Sena and the Congress. The political alignment shifted further in 2024 when Congress corporator Rajendra Narwankar from ward 216 joined the BJP. This leaves only ward 216, represented by Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arundhati Dudhwadkar, under the opposition's fold.
Large parts of D ward fall under the Malabar Hill Assembly constituency, represented by BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha. Despite the BJP's stronghold, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed confidence in retaining their seat. "We are confident that we will be contesting as well as winning from the 216 seat," Sawant asserted, highlighting his party's continuous engagement with citizens for development work.
As the ward prepares for the BMC elections, the core issues of infrastructure neglect, environmental sustainability, and urban planning remain at the forefront. The situation in Mumbai's VIP enclave serves as a stark reminder that civic accountability and effective governance are essential for all citizens, regardless of their postal code.
