Mumbai BMC Elections 2026: As The City Votes Amid Political Noise, Civic Governance, Sustainability And Survival Remain Ignored |
The election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is just a few days away. The contest among candidates of various political parties has intensified. Amid all this political churn, the common Mumbaikar remains silent—as does this metropolis that provides livelihoods to millions of families every day. Spread over 480 square kilometres, this city deserves to be discussed beyond the lens of politics.
Mumbai contributes 45 to 50 per cent of the state’s total revenue. Additionally, Mumbai’s share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 6.16%. As India aspires to become a USD 5 trillion economy and Maharashtra seeks to make a substantial contribution to it, Mumbai’s role becomes vital. For that, the city’s governance must be equally strong. Roads, sewage systems, street lighting, healthcare, education, and maintaining the city’s aesthetics must therefore be top priorities for the municipal corporation.
Everything New After Seven Years
The last municipal election was held in 2017. After that, the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 were spent battling COVID-19. During these three years, the corporation’s focus changed completely. Activity in its buildings came to a halt. In March 2022, the elected body of the BMC was dissolved; four years have now passed since then. For seven years—three years of COVID and four thereafter—the corporation functioned without elected councillors. During this period, many officials retired, creating a significant vacuum.
Now, new councillors will come in, and much of the administrative machinery is also relatively new. How they will function will be interesting to watch. Increasing the corporation’s revenue is imperative. Large infrastructure projects have put pressure on the civic treasury. It is said that in the last four years, the corporation has issued work orders worth around ₹2.5 lakh crore. Whether the civic coffers can withstand such strain should have been seriously considered.
The next five years will be extremely challenging for the corporation. Every month, ₹700–800 crore is required just to pay salaries. The corporation cannot be run on emotional politics alone; it requires a practical approach and capable leadership. Around ₹10,000 crore is due to the corporation from various state government departments and authorities.
Not a Single New Building
Even if the corporation currently appears flush with funds, ignoring civic amenities and administration will lead to very serious problems. In recent years, an important business district like the Bandra–Kurla Complex (BKC) has developed. It houses the US Consulate, a bullet train station, a diamond hub, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s indoor stadium, and offices of the central government and leading corporate groups. Yet, there........