January 15, 2026: As polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections unfolds today, everyday civic challenges have taken centre stage in shaping voter sentiment across Mumbai. From crumbling roads and recurring floods to air pollution and strained public transport, residents are weighing promises against long-standing gaps in urban governance.
Persistent potholes remain among the most visible grievances. Despite road concretisation work underway for nearly two years, poor surface quality and repeated monsoon damage continue to disrupt daily travel. The BJP–Shiv Sena alliance has renewed its assurance of a pothole-free Mumbai, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde promising that the city will be rid of potholes within the next year.
Flooding and waterlogging are another major concern, particularly in low-lying areas that face annual disruption during the monsoon. Inadequate drainage capacity, delayed desilting and stalled upgrades have kept the issue unresolved. The BJP–Shiv Sena alliance has committed to making Mumbai flood-free within five years, while the NCP has pledged to strengthen flood-control systems as part of a broader agenda that includes river rejuvenation and a zero-waste policy.
Air quality has emerged as a growing electoral issue, driven by construction dust, traffic congestion and industrial emissions. The BJP–Shiv Sena–RPI (Mahayuti) manifesto promises a Rs 17,000 crore environment and climate action plan, including doubling AQI monitoring stations. The Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS–NCP (SP) alliance has proposed a Mumbai Construction Environment Management Plan, while the Congress has committed to a Clean Air Action Plan.
Infrastructure delays and pressure on public transport also weigh heavily on voters. Overcrowded local trains, congested roads and slow project execution have sharpened demands for better coordination and faster delivery. Parties across the spectrum have pledged investments in urban mobility, including improvements to BEST services and commuter experience.
Finally, broken and encroached footpaths continue to undermine pedestrian safety, forcing people onto busy roads. Though not always explicitly addressed in manifestos, walkability remains an underlying concern, especially for children and senior citizens. Together, these five issues are shaping expectations from whoever takes charge of Mumbai’s civic body next.
