Mid-Day’s Know Your Ward Series | BMC elections 2026: Inside Mumbai’s C ward

The C and D wards are part of Mumbai’s coastline. FILE PIC/RANE ASHISH

As mid-day continues with its ‘Know Your Wards' series, we now focus on the ‘C' administrative ward, which borders the Arabian Sea, forming a part of Mumbai's western coastline.

The C ward is among the most congested in the city, with narrow lanes, a large number of old buildings eligible for redevelopment, lack of parking space, and high commercial value due to the popular clothing and jewelry markets. While the ward largely consists of merchants and traders, it is home to some of the oldest privately owned buildings in the city.

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The electoral ward number 220 - comprising Kamathipura and Null Bazar - had witnessed a tie with two candidates garnering an equal number of votes in the 2017 BMC elections. BJP's Atul Shah and Shiv Sena's Surendra Bagalkar had bagged 5946 votes each. After consulting with the State Election Commission, then Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta stepped in and arranged for a lottery to be drawn by a school student to decide on the candidate. Shah's name emerged victorious.

Administrative ward: C ward

Areas under ward: Phanaswadi, Bhuleshwar, Zaveri Bazar, Dhobi Talav, Thakurdwar

Population of ward: 166161 | Gross Density of ward: 859

Characteristics by: Narrow lanes, a large number of old buildings, and a lack of parking space for local residents

Main issues:

Chronic waterlogging spot: 01 at Gol Deol

Vulnerable settlements: None

Open spaces: 16 such as Mumbadevi Garden near Mumbadevi temple, Phanaswadi Playground near the Phanaswadi municipal school.
Lack of parking space, several buildings eligible for redevelopment, and narrow roads.

Road concreting status:
Partially completed: 4
Completed: 14
Not started: 26

Electoral Ward 220 in the C Ward:

220: Kamathi Pura, Null Bazar, Gulal Wadi

Demographic details

Total population: 54,418
SC population: 589 (2%)
ST population: 93 (-)

Ward reservation
2017 - Open
2025 - Reserved for Women

Voter details
Tentative voters (2025): 47,748
Male: 26,918
Female: 20,829
Others: 1

Political details
Previous Municipal Councillor (2012): Yakub Memon (SP)
Municipal Councillor's name (2017): Atul Hasmukhlal Shah (BJP)

Winning margin: 27%
Votes received: 5,946
Total votes cast: 22,389

Electoral Ward 221 in the C Ward:

221: Phanaswadi, Bhuleshwar, Lohar Chawl, Vitthal Wadi, Zaveri Bazar

Demographic details

Total population: 57,141
SC population: 250 (-)
ST population: 87 (-)

Ward reservation
2017 - Open
2025 - Open

Voter details
Tentative voters (2025): 48,868
Male: 29,896
Female: 18,972
Others: 0

Political details
Previous Municipal Councillor (2012): Dhyanraj Nikam (Congress)
Municipal Councillor's name (2017): Akash Purohit (BJP)

Winning margin: 32%
Votes received: 6,722
Total votes cast: 20,804

Electoral Ward 222 in the C Ward:

222: Dhobi Talav, Sonapur, Chandan Wadi Gymkhana, Thakurdwar, Cheul Wadi

Demographic details

Total population: 54,602
SC population: 1,199 (2%)
ST population: 198 (-)

Ward reservation
2017 - OBC Women
2025 - OBC

Voter details
Tentative voters (2025): 52,071
Male: 29,177
Female: 22,893
Others: 1

Political details
Previous Municipal Councillor (2012): Wakarunnisa Ansari
Municipal Councillor's name (2017): Rita Makwana (BJP)

Winning margin: 41%
Votes received: 10,365
Total votes cast: 25,058