Harsh Goenka Calls Out Mumbai’s ‘18th-Century’ Infrastructure

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka has drawn attention to the sharp contrast between Mumbai’s modern skyline and the condition of its underlying infrastructure, prompting former Delhi Chief Secretary Shailaja Chandra to question how the city reached its current state.

In a social media post, Goenka highlighted Mumbai’s impressive high-rise landscape while pointing to the problems that remain beneath it. He wrote that “Mumbai has mastered the art of looking like Manhattan from a distance with a spectacular skyline.” He added that the city also has “sprawling slums, broken roads, potholes & crumbling infrastructure.”

Summing up the contrast, Goenka wrote, “Mumbai’s skyline-21st century. Mumbai’s infrastructure-18th century!”

Chandra, who previously served as Secretary in the Health Ministry and later as Delhi’s Chief Secretary, supported Goenka’s criticism but argued that the discussion should also focus on accountability.

“I follow you Harsh ji, for your wonderful photographs and often sensible commentary. Occasionally, though, I feel you pull your punches when criticism might touch the establishment. That makes this post particularly welcome. I fully endorse it—but we should ask: who allowed this to happen?” she wrote.

She said both industrialists and administrators understand how planning and civic regulations can be weakened over time through political and administrative decisions.

“You are an influential industrialist; I am a retired, elderly bureaucrat. We both know how encroachments are tolerated, municipal laws overlooked and vote banks cultivated,” she said.

Chandra also warned that unchecked development can place excessive pressure on basic civic systems.

“When politicians and officials permit neighbourhoods to grow beyond what their water supply, sewers and drainage can support, the consequences are entirely predictable,” Chandra stated.

She further highlighted the unequal impact of poor infrastructure, noting that affluent residents can insulate themselves from many civic problems while others remain more vulnerable.

“The influential can retreat behind high walls, security systems and soundproof windows, assured of a warm welcome from those who matter. People without such protection often dare not speak. They have families and livelihoods to think of,” she said.

Questioning the continued focus on Mumbai’s visual contrasts, Chandra asked, “How long will we keep sharing striking pictures of these contrasts without asking who enabled them—who still enables them and who will answer for the wilful neglect?”

Source: Business Today