Cities often struggle to cope with natural calamities, some of which shut down due to rains and snowstorms, at times taking several weeks to recover. Mumbaikars had to deal with no electricity for up to three days, coupled by a shattered telecommunications network. Some have watched everything they owned being washed away. Furthermore, malicious rumors have caused panic, leading to stampedes, resulting in loss of lives.

However, no natural calamity should be allowed to cripple India’s financial capital. In New York City, after 9/11, Mayor Giuliani’s command center was put into action. This center was thoroughly tested through drills and citizen participation, and although it did have a few glitches, it was effective in delivering results. The private sector, too, played a key role in this effort. For instance, Home Depot provided generators and batteries, Cisco rebuilt much of the city’s telecommunications network and Jeff Imelt of GE and Rupert Murdoch set up the Twin Towers fund for families of uniformed personnel who lost their lives while trying to save others.
The breakdown of Mumbai’s disaster management plan should not be seen in the context of a process malfunction, but due to the ineffective structure of the city’s local administration. Every day, a densely congested city like Mumbai is in firefighting mode, dealing with complex issues such as housing, transportation, civic amenities and the increasing strain on infrastructure.

Mumbai’s administrative structure must undergo major changes to ensure results. After all, the task of transforming Mumbai into a world-class metro also hinges on such reforms:

1. It is important for Mumbai to have one democratically elected leader who can be held responsible for its overall well being. We elect 6 MPs, 34 MLAs and 225 Municipal Councilors to represent us in Parliament, the State Assembly and BMC respectively, with no individual accountability for the city as a whole. Today, the system is such that the Chief Minister is responsible for Maharashtra, of which Mumbai constitutes only a part. While we have only an eighth of the state’s MLAs, our economic contribution to Maharashtra is far greater. A complex city like Mumbai demands dedicated attention. No CM can effectively focus on converting Mumbai into a world-class metro when he has other cities like Pune and Nashik, as well as rural areas, to worry about. Mumbai’s leader should therefore be mandated to deal with the city’s problems exclusively and be given the relevant powers to do so.

2. New York’s Mayor is more prominent than its Governor. However, many Mumbaikars are unaware of who their Mayor is and what his responsibilities are. The elected representative in charge of Mumbai must have overriding powers to control all agencies working in the city. For instance, MHADA reports to the Housing Minister, MSRDC reports to the Transportation Minister, Police to the Home Minister, MMRDA and BMC to the Urban Development Minister and Chief Minister. This leads to a major disconnect between key agencies working in Mumbai city. It makes little sense that Asia’s largest civic body – the BMC – is run by a bureaucrat, that too in the world’s largest democracy! It is therefore important for the State Government to decentralize its powers not just in Mumbai, but in all major cities, and consolidate the efforts of local authorities under one roof. There are many models proposed – direct elections for the Mayor of Mumbai, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister for the city, etc. Some may have serious risks in terms of giving the representative accountability without the requisite empowerment and responsibility, but a thorough analysis of similar structures internationally coupled by a public debate will provide the answers to this question.

3. As exemplified by New York after 9/11, Mumbai, too, would greatly benefit from private sector involvement in the city’s restoration process. Several companies have come forward to donate relief material, but the notion that corporate social responsibility in times of a crisis can lead to profitability, has not yet been fully understood. I have been coordinating relief efforts with several NGOs and foundations to provide authorities with dumper trucks, drinking water, drugs and temporary shelters. We have also roped in private radio partners who will communicate live updates on developments in the city.

4. Citizen participation is a must. The BMC’s Standing Committee handles a Rs. 5,000 Crore annual budget. Prominent citizens and NGO’s could scrutinize the committee’s decisions for greater transparency, which should lead to more accountability. Citizens interested in Mumbai’s future can play a role by networking with their local representatives in the BMC and State Assembly. Mumbaikars should also pay attention to the State Government and BMC’s annual budget speeches in addition to those presented by the Finance Minister of India. After all, in a democracy, it is only a people’s movement that can determine change. By enacting legislation like the Right to Information Act, the UPA Government and the National Advisory Council, chaired by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, are increasingly trying to empower Indians. We should take advantage of such initiatives. The RTI Act is an important tool that will enable citizens to better understand specific procedures, policies and budgets of local and central authorities. If used properly, RTI will permit the common man to participate in a government’s decision-making process.

5. The National Urban Renewal Mission, recently established by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, can drive structural reforms in state governments, such as those highlighted above. Just as shareholders would demand reforms before investing in a sick company, the NURM should pressurize governments that do not undertake structural reforms by only funding those that do.

6. Mumbai’s transformation will remain a distant dream without the active and informed participation of the media. In addition to reporting news, the media has a responsible role in making citizens aware of their representatives in India’s 3-layered democracy. Sadly, many in Mumbai don’t know who represents them in the BMC and Maharashtra Assembly, and what their responsibilities are. This trend is reflected in voting turnouts where parliamentary elections record higher participation than BMC elections, although it is the BMC that affects our daily lives. Perhaps Mumbai’s media could begin by regularly scrutinizing development initiatives undertaken by nodal agencies in the city in the form of a quarterly report? Another campaign could be directed towards devolution of powers from the state to the city.

During the last few days, the citizens of Mumbai came through remarkably, despite all the misery. Their faith in the local administration might be shattered, but their will to survive and help others continues to inspire people across India. It is, in fact, the average Mumbaikar that saved Mumbai. That infectious bhagidari, if energized and directed towards these solutions, will singularly ensure that Mumbai retains its place as India’s No.1 metro.

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