January 13, 2026: S Ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), covering areas such as Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Powai, Vikhroli and parts of Mulund East, remains one of Mumbai’s fast-developing yet infrastructure-stressed suburbs. The ward, numbered 118, is densely populated and includes hilly terrain, industrial belts, residential clusters and ecologically sensitive zones.
Several pockets in Bhandup, particularly Khindipada, are located on slopes and are vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon. Large slum settlements in these areas heighten safety concerns and strain basic infrastructure. At the same time, the ward includes environmentally significant locations such as the Bhandup Pumping Station, known for bird activity including flamingos, and its proximity to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli form key parts of the ward, housing industrial areas, high-rise developments and major green spaces such as IIT Bombay, Powai Lake and Vihar Lake. These areas also act as an important east–west connector through the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR). Residents, however, point to chronic traffic congestion on JVLR and LBS Marg, along with recurring waterlogging at spots like Kanjur village, Huma Theatre and Naval Colony, where water levels can rise two to three feet during monsoon.
“Major issues in S Ward (Bhandup/Kanjurmarg) include severe infrastructure problems like broken roads, frequent flooding from choked drains, and drinking water scarcity despite having Powai lake, Vihar lake and Bhandup water pumping station. The S ward supplies water to the entire city but citizens of this ward hardly get drinking water for three to four hours,” said local resident and BJP vice president Jai Prakash Singh.
The ward has traditionally been a Shiv Sena stronghold, though the current contest is mainly between the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). Bhandup’s hilly slum pockets are undergoing redevelopment under SRA projects, but residents say narrow roads, illegal parking and congestion restrict access for emergency services.
“Air pollution from rapid development of the ward, and significant risks from landslides in hilly areas during monsoon need to be taken care by the government,” said another resident.
Environmental concerns are pronounced in Vikhroli and Kanjurmarg. “Vikhroli and Kanjurmarg are facing environmental concerns including foul odour from Kanjurmarg dumping ground affecting nearby areas and garbage dumping destroying mangroves. For the last 15 years, the politicians have been making promises every election but there is no concrete solution yet,” said Sanjay Yelve, president of Vikhrolikar Vikas Manch.
Redevelopment in areas such as Kannamwar Nagar has intensified pressure on ageing civic infrastructure. “The water connection, drainage and sewerage lines were built 50 years ago… Citizens are facing significant civic issues, insufficient water supply due to aging pipelines, overflowing sewage lines and dust pollution and MHADA and the BMC are failing to handle these issue due to rampant and uncontrolled redevelopment,” Yelve said.
The ward is also politically significant, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Chandrashekhar Jadhav’s wife contesting from the seat. “Our main focus is to rebuild and widen sewerage line, drainage and water connection which were built in 1960s,” said Jadhav.
Source: The Indian Express
