I’ve lived in and around Mumbai for all of my life, and honestly, I’m getting increasingly frustrated with the state of this city, Navi Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region. I don’t expect everything to be perfect, but I don’t think expecting basic safety, decent infrastructure and a reasonable quality of life is asking for too much.
Today’s railway disruption and the death of a 21-year-old at Bhandup just brought these frustrations back. Mumbai’s local trains are the city’s lifeline, but overcrowding, people falling from trains, track-crossing deaths and frequent disruptions have become a grim part of everyday life. Thousands of people depend on this system, yet commuting can sometimes feel like risking your life just to get to work or college.
And what’s the alternative? Roads full of potholes, traffic congestion, dangerous driving and pedestrian safety issues. Buses don’t always provide adequate connectivity, autos and taxis are expensive for regular use, and metro connections can be inconvenient depending on where you’re travelling. Even when public transport works, you can spend hours getting from one part of the metropolitan region to another.
Then there’s the pollution. Mumbai’s air quality has become increasingly concerning, while construction, disappearing green spaces and development projects raise questions about how the city is being planned. Some areas face water shortages, yet we see water being sprayed to control dust. Housing is unaffordable for many people, and accessible public spaces, libraries, parks and sports facilities often feel inadequate for a city of this size.
What frustrates me is that even basic necessities like clean air, safe transport and affordable housing increasingly feel like luxuries.
And before someone suggests moving to Pune or a smaller city, those places have their own problems. Pune has metro services, but connectivity remains uneven, while smaller cities often have fewer specialised jobs, educational institutions and career opportunities. India has concentrated so many opportunities in a handful of urban centres that people have little choice but to migrate for education and employment, further increasing pressure on infrastructure.
I understand that migration contributes to demand for housing, transport and public services. But blaming migrants alone misses the bigger picture. Why are opportunities so concentrated in so few cities? Why hasn’t infrastructure kept pace with population growth? Why do debates about language, identity and whether someone speaks Marathi sometimes seem to overshadow these fundamental issues?
Mumbai also has a long history of organised crime, terrorist attacks and other violence. I’m not suggesting the city is uniquely dangerous, but celebrating its resilience shouldn’t mean expecting its residents to endure every problem indefinitely.
I’m 25, trying to finish my degree and figure out my career. The prospect of spending decades dealing with exhausting commutes, financial insecurity, pollution and deteriorating infrastructure is genuinely depressing. I don’t want to spend my life worrying about whether I can get home safely, whether the air I’m breathing is harmful, or whether I’ll ever be able to afford a decent place to live.
I know other countries and cities have serious problems too. I’m not claiming that Europe or the United States is some utopia. But surely we can aspire to better public transport, safer streets, cleaner air and cities designed around the people who live in them.
My question is: do those of you living in Mumbai and the surrounding region genuinely think the quality of life is improving? Or have we become so accustomed to overcrowding, pollution, unsafe commuting and unaffordable living that we’ve stopped expecting better?
And for those who’ve moved to other Indian cities or abroad, has your everyday quality of life actually improved? I’d particularly like to hear about commuting, housing, affordability and access to public spaces.
Edit: it’s not just one body, 2 more were recovered. Last year more than 2 thousand people died in locals. 50,000 people have died to this day since the 80’s. It’s not called the most dangerous public transportation system for nothing. WHEN WILL PEOPLE WAKE UP?
