There’s no Vikas without Vishwas

A school bus that was crushed by an uprooted tree in Chembur on June 30. An 11-year-old boy lost his life in the mishap. Every monsoon, roads get flooded, open drains become hidden under rainwater, walls collapse, trees fall, and old buildings give way. FILE PIC

Mumbai wants Vikas (development). Every citizen is happy to see new Metro lines, coastal roads, flyovers, and other big projects. They make travel easier and promise a better future. But people want something more than concrete and steel. They also want Vishwas (belief), the trust that the city is safe. They want to believe that when they leave home, they will return safely. Development without safety is not real development. A city becomes truly modern only when it protects its people's lives.

The death of a man who fell into an open manhole during heavy rain has once again reminded us of this painful truth. This was not just a tragic accident. It was a preventable death. If the manhole had been covered or properly barricaded, a life could have been saved.

The seriousness of the incident can be understood from the reaction in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Members demanded that the police should not treat the case as a routine accident. They called for a culpable homicide case against those responsible, saying that when negligence leads to the loss of a human life, responsibility cannot end with an inquiry. This demand reflects the growing anger of citizens who are tired of seeing the same mistakes repeated every year.

Mumbai voted for change with the hope that things would be different. People expected not just new infrastructure, but also a new culture of responsibility and public safety. If the same negligence continues and the same tragedies keep happening, citizens may begin to feel that only the faces in power have changed, not the system. Then the belief that one government is different from another will slowly begin to fade.

Sadly, Mumbai has seen many such tragedies. Every monsoon, roads get flooded, open drains become hidden under rainwater, walls collapse, trees fall, and old buildings give way. In the past, people have drowned after falling into open drains or manholes. Building collapses have buried families under debris. Waterlogged roads have led to accidents. Every time, there are promises of strict action and better preparation. But when the next monsoon arrives, many of the same problems return.

Before every rainy season, the civic administration says it is fully prepared. Drains are cleaned, roads are repaired, and emergency plans are announced. Yet, heavy rain often exposes the same weak spots. If the same failures continue year after year, people naturally begin to lose trust. Development is not only about building new projects. It is also about maintaining old ones and making sure that every road, footpath, drain, and manhole is safe.

A developed city is not measured only by the number of bridges it builds or the speed of its construction work. It is measured by how safe its people feel. A child should be able to walk to school without fear. Senior citizens should not worry about hidden dangers on flooded roads. Parents should not fear that a simple walk during the rains could end in tragedy.

The government must ensure that such incidents do not happen again. Every manhole should be checked before the monsoon. Damaged covers must be replaced immediately. Open manholes should be barricaded and clearly marked. Officials and contractors responsible for safety should be monitored regularly. Most importantly, if negligence causes the loss of a human life, those responsible must face strict punishment. Only then will there be real accountability.

Mumbai is famous for its spirit. After floods, terror attacks and other disasters, its people always stand up again. This spirit is one of the city's greatest strengths. But it should never become an excuse to accept avoidable deaths. The people of Mumbai should not have to live with the fear that every monsoon may claim another innocent life.

Mumbai does not have to choose between development and safety. It deserves both. It deserves "Vikas" that improves lives and "Vishwas" that gives people confidence in their city. When every citizen can step out without fear and return home safely, only then can we truly say that Mumbai is moving forward.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevShivadek
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