As Mumbai reels under one of the season’s most intense spells of monsoon rain, Mayor Ritu Tawde has come under sharp scrutiny over rain-related deaths, waterlogging and civic preparedness, even as she admitted failures in some areas while shifting blame for others.
Times Now confronted Tawde over the 16 rain-related deaths reported across the Mumbai region over the past few days, with six of these deaths occurring Sunday night in the Mankhurd chawl collapse. In a bizzarre remark, Tawde said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) could be held responsible only for 10 of those deaths, and not the remaining six.
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Referring to the deadly chawl collapse, the Mayor said that the land where the structure stood was not under the BMC’s jurisdiction but belonged to the district collector’s office. She further alleged that illegal housing had proliferated in the area with the support of local political leaders, directly targeting Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi.
“With his blessings, these illegal houses have come up,” she said, blaming unauthorised construction for the tragedy.
At the same time, Tawde acknowledged shortcomings in the civic body’s response to key monsoon challenges. She admitted that the BMC had fallen short in addressing waterlogging and tree-pruning issues, both of which have contributed to disruption and safety concerns across the city.
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“No one should have lost life due to this. We will make sure it does not happen again,” she said.
The Mayor also defended herself against criticism over her public appearances during the crisis. “People call me a reel star, but they should see the groundwork we do, even in the rain, visiting affected places,” she said.
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Mayor Ritu Tawde’s Marine Drive Inspection Criticised
Her remarks come amid controversy surrounding visuals from Mumbai’s Marine Drive, where she was seen inspecting rain-hit areas while a police officer held an umbrella over her. The images sparked criticism on social media, with social media users accusing her of chasing optics instead of governance.
Meanwhile, Times Now conducted a ground reality check at another tourist beach. Despite rough sea conditions, rising water levels, strong winds and high tides, there were reportedly no police personnel, lifeguards or barricades in place to prevent people from venturing near the shoreline.
Tawde, a BJP corporator from Ghatkopar, became Mumbai’s Mayor earlier this year after the BJP-led alliance secured control of the BMC, ending decades of dominance by the undivided Shiv Sena in the civic body.