‘IT IS ABSOLUTE CHAOS TO LIVE IN MUMBAI’

While celebrities hail the spirit of Mumbaikars during tough times, they are also disgruntled about the problems that plague the city each year during the monsoon

Frustrated and disappointed with the condition of the city that breaks down every year during monsoons, and with the news of a bridge collapsing in Andheri (W) that led to disrupted local train service, television celebrities want accountability and want to change the way Mumbai functions. They want better roads, better traffic management during monsoon, and better facilities for the citizens.

SHAKTI ARORA

While travelling from home in Malad (W) to my set in Mira Road, there was heavy traffic and congestion on the road. It was a long ride and there was so much water logging on the roads that it even entered my car at one point. I managed to reach the set hoping we would get a day off if not many people turn up but despite the local trains being affected, most of the people came to work, so we continued shooting all day.

SHRADDHA ARYA

It has been quite a messed up situation in the city. It took me three hours to reach the shooting location yesterday as opposed to 45 minutes that is usually required to reach Saki Naka from Andheri (W). I appreciate the spirit of Mumbai which is holding strong despite heavy rains, water logging on the roads, and local trains being affected due to a bridge collapsing. The city never stops.

ANNUP SONII

I came back from Sri Lanka two days ago, and I was welcomed by heavy rains and jam packed traffic. It took me over one hour to cover reach home which was just five kms. And yesterday morning, the bridge on Andheri collapsed. It’s sad that with so much money being poured into the city’s infrastructure, our administration has failed to provide a smooth monsoon for Mumbaikars.

AISHWARYA SAKUJA

I decided to take my family, who is visiting from Dubai, to Colaba as they had never been there but it began pouring heavily and due to that, we had to forgo our trip and ended up sitting in an Irani cafe sipping chai. When the rains let up a bit, we decided to return home, but on our way back home to the suburbs, we were once again caught in a downpour. My sister-in-law and I stepped out of the car to enjoy the weather and get drenched, while my brother sat in the car with my one-year-old nephew watching us girls be silly. It took us three hours to reach Andheri (W) from Marine Lines.

ARJUN BIJLANI

Every year people die during monsoons due to heavy rains or trees falling on them or bridges and buildings collapsing. Such incidents are reported and then forgotten about, and the same people are in charge of the city year after year. There is no change, no accountability. There is so much corruption. When will we realise that we can’t go on like this? It is a sad affair for citizens, like me, who pay taxes. There is no one to guide the citizens on roads on bad days or watch out for open manholes. I had a tough time in the Malvani area yesterday, as people were driving erratically without minding any rules. It is absolute chaos to live in Mumbai. Everyone keeps blaming each other, and if you speak up, you become the one at fault.

KAMYA PUNJABI

When I read the news about the bridge collapsing and saw the horrible traffic situation, I was angry about the situation of the financial capital of India. Just two days of heavy rains has caused chaos. Are we citizens here only to pay taxes? Will we not be provided safe and secure environment? We always keep wondering what will happen if it rains heavily? Will the city come to a standstill or will it go on? Are measures being provided to help citizens? The poor Mumbai police handles the mess in bad weather, but who is answerable for all this? It is too frustrating and disappointing.