Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani gathered with officers and personnel of the Mumbai Fire Brigade | GPlus
On Friday, the BMC will mark a historic milestone, completing three years under state appointed administration the longest such period in its 150-year history. This unprecedented absence of elected representatives has raised growing concerns among activists and former corporators, who argue that the lack of democratic oversight has led to delays in essential civic work and a breakdown in coordination at the ward level.
On March 8, 2022, Iqbal Singh Chahal, the then Municipal Commissioner, was appointed as the state-appointed administrator of the BMC. In March 2024, Bhushan Gagrani took over from Chahal as the new administrator. The shift from elected representation to sole administrative control has sparked concerns among activists, who believe it has reduced accountability and transparency. What was once a system of checks and balances is now one where the administrator makes all decisions, raising questions about the long-term impact on democracy and public participation in governance.
Mumbai has 25 administrative wards and 227 elected corporators, who were also part of various statutory committees within the BMC. These committees played a key role in approving proposals and resolutions related to infrastructure development and policy-making. Under an administrator’s rule, the municipal corporation is run by government officials and bureaucrats. However, citizens believe that corporators are essential for resolving local issues, such as water supply, road repairs, garbage collection, and toilet maintenance.
Sachin Padwal, former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator, said, “In the past three years under the administrator’s rule, the civic body has failed to complete essential civic work. Citizens’ concerns are being ignored, and no proper planning is being implemented. The government continues to delay municipal elections to maintain sole control over the corporation. Meanwhile, the number of scams and corrupt practices has only increased.”
Stalin D., an activist, stated, “By removing corporators from the scene, the government has effectively cut off citizens’ ability to have a say in civic matters. The corporator was the voice of the people, the single point of contact for local issues. This strategy was implemented to secure political gains and allow contractors to profit from unnecessary projects that ensure kickbacks. Ultimately, it is the citizens who bear the loss. This can also be seen as another nail in the coffin of democracy, as it seems the government no longer values people’s concerns.”
Vinod Mishra, a former BJP corporator, said, “Local citizens still approach us to discuss their civic issues with ward officials. The corporator serves as a bridge between the BMC and the citizens. However, while influential former corporators manage to get their work done through the administration, the concerns of ordinary former corporators are often ignored, and their issues remain unresolved.”
Vinod Gholap, from Fight for Right Foundation, said, “When there were elected corporators, they had the authority to hold the administration accountable. However, under the administrator’s rule, municipal officials are blatantly ignoring issues such as illegal constructions, street vendors, and waste management. Problems like potholes, unauthorized hawkers, and water shortages remain unresolved for months. Many officials are rarely available to meet ordinary citizens, often avoiding them and not even showing up at their offices. This lack of responsiveness has led to growing frustration among residents, as essential local issues continue to be neglected.”
