MUMBAI
India’s slum capital, traffic jams, road rage...the city has never had it so bad. Corporate leaders press the panic button as even Bill Gates skipped it.
MUMBAI: India’s slum capital. Traffic jams. Poor quality water. Road rage. Mumbai has never had it so bad. The urbs prima in Indis is, perhaps, facing its worst identity crisis. Even Microsoft chairman Bill Gates skipped it.
Sources told DNA Gates’s aides told him to stay away from the country’s financial capital because the lacunae in infrastructure would have made him see red. He was not the only one. Many recent visitors to India have bypassed Mumbai.
Sensing this alarming trend and seeing the slow progress on every promised developmental agenda since July 26, citizens’ groups are up in arms against the Democratic Front government. Their plea: put everything aside and get down to the business of salvaging the city.
The BMC is engaged in the first of its five planned phases of improving and beautifying city roads. But it’s not enough. Traffic snarls and potholes have tarnished the city’s image. “I have heard the Bill Gates story. But it has happened with many CEOs in the past,” said Narinder Nayar, chairman, Bombay First.
In a meeting of the Citizens Action Group last week, Nayar, MD of Comcast India, asked the state government to ensure that the empowered committee under Chief Secretary RM Premkumar coordinates the functioning of all agencies working to improve the city’s roads.
“The committee will soon bring the heads of the MMRDA, BMC, PWD, and MSRDC together and list the 10 worst roads. The state will then bring out a government resolution stating how fast these roads should be redone. The time frame as well as quality of work will be important,” he said.
The digging up of roads across the city, particularly the one leading to Sahar international airport, has caused the corporate world to press the panic button. “The concreting of this crucial road is going at a very slow pace. The traffic department could have at least made it one-way,” Nayar said.
He also pointed to the slums under the Andheri flyover. “This cannot be the first sight for a foreign dignitary landing in Mumbai,” he said.
But Sanjay Ubale, secretary (special projects), said the city will have to live with the discomfort for a while. “The condition of Mumbai roads is a concern. The projects have to be undertaken in phases. But I agree that there should be effective traffic management to reduce the chaos.”
Noted conservationist Anita Garware said proper infrastructure should be set up first. “Let us not announce projects without getting our act together,” she said.
CEOs’ lament
I meet many foreign investors daily who are interested in Mumbai. But they don’t understand why we can’t fix our roads. I had told the government just to restore the road leading to Sahar airport two years ago. That road is a disgrace but still there. I have given up on Mumbai and the endless meetings with officials which are never conclusive. Mumbai must re-plan completely but no one seems to be interested. No wonder CEOs of big companies are giving Mumbai the miss. I have moved out to redesign cities like Madgaon, Lucknow, Dehradun and Sringar where the local governments are partnering with us to change. For me, Mumbai is dying.
Nasser Munjee, former MD & CEO of IDFC and infrastructure expert
The decline of Mumbai started happening in the mid-80s. Historically, all declines of big cities are gradual and painful. Mumbai is now gone out of control. Nobody knows who is in-charge. We cannot argue for a separate state as it becomes too political, neither can we regroup to ensure that we act fast. Mumbai is such a vibrant city. This indecisive attitude is killing the spirit of Mumbai. It’s unfortunate that the city, which contributes over 40 per cent to the central tax kitty has to suffer this way.
R Gopalakrishnan, executive director, Tata Sons Ltd
We are at a critical mode of development. We know the problems, we know what to do and we have the support of the Centre. All we need is to expedite the work. The numero uno status for Mumbai does not exist as well-planned cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Chandigarh are interesting the investors. Upgrading airport is a must as it is the nerve centre for good business.
Atul Nishar, chairman, Hexawear Corporation
I agree that roads of Mumbai are awful and we need to collectively protest on the same. But on a larger scale, infrastructure projects are being planned in Mumbai for a better future. There is a general feeling that public-private partnership will only take off the city’s development. The atmosphere of change is coming, though a bit slowly. We will see changes in the coming 3-4 months. I believe that we should not depend on state government for everything. Our real focus must be on citizens power.
Shailesh Haribhakti, director, Haribhakti Financial Services Private Limited
DNA TV Show: Why Gautam Adani charged with bribery and fraud in US
IND vs AUS: Records Virat Kohli can break during Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Diljit Dosanjh fans get angry over Ananya Panday's birthday post for her grandmother, here's why
Reddit suffers outage with ‘upstream connect error’ message, says 'currently investigating...'
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: How has Jasprit Bumrah fared in Tests in Australia?
Delhi records coldest night of the season, temp drops to...
Crossing the Line: Ukraine's Use of Storm Shadow Missiles and the Escalation of Conflict
When Malaika Arora talked about the controversial ‘instant pleasure’ ad, it was for…
This is the world’s most expensive shopping street, not Fifth Avenue, New Bond Street, it is...
Big setback for Gautam Adani, Kenya cancels Rs 6216 crore deal with Adani Group due to...
Viral video: Man’s jugaad to stay warm in winter will leave you SHOCKED, watch here
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
Viral video: Middle-Class man lives dream of having tea at Taj Hotel, netizens applauds
Shloka Mehta looks stunning in white floral kurta as she clicked with Akash Ambani, it costs Rs....
Who is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew, accused of bribery, fraud charges in US?
PayPal down: Several users face issue while logging into accounts, say 'no one could...'
IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins eye historic captaincy milestone in Perth Test
BGT 2024, Ind vs Aus: Can Shubhman Gill be the new Cheteshwar Pujara? Is he really ready?
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Gifting: Discover Heirloom Pashmina by Pashmina.com
Effortless Relocations: The Perks Of Professional Removalists In Melbourne
Watch: Pakistan fan with 'Imran Khan' poster asked to leave Hobart stadium in Australia
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for...
What is demisexuality? Everything you need to know about this lesser-known sexual orientation
WATCH: World’s shortest woman meets world’s tallest woman, video goes viral
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
'Scam 2024': Diljit Dosanjh lookalike pranks people on Pune streets, video goes viral
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amitabh Bachchan opens up on Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
No mention of Aaradhya Bachchan in Amitabh Bachchan's post on birthdays, it happened recently
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
Meet actress who worked with Alia Bhatt, was asked to 'compromise', connected to Aishwarya Rai by..
Aishwarya Rai’s remark on Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘habits’ goes viral amid divorce rumours with Abhishek
Rekha's BOLD statement about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral, 'why hurt...'
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Amitabh Bachchan praises Abhishek Bachchan's new film, netizens ask 'kash ye Aishwarya...'
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...