Tara Deshpande Slams BMC Over Civic Apathy: 'Mumbai Is Turning Into A City Of Screams'

On this India Today special report, actor and author Tara Deshpande highlights the deteriorating civic infrastructure in Mumbai ahead of the BMC elections. Deshpande points out the stark reality of sanitation in the city, stating, 'There is one toilet for every 1,820 women in this city.' She further criticises the lack of basic amenities, noting that only 60 per cent of toilets receive continuous electricity and highlighting the prevalence of potholes on every road. The discussion, joined by Meghna Pant and hosted by Preeti Choudhry, focuses on the disconnect between political narratives and ground realities like water supply, illegal construction, and environmental degradation. Deshpande urges Mumbaikars to overcome voter apathy and use their vote to demand accountability for the city's floodplains and mangroves. The programme emphasises that the civic election is about the quality of daily life, including clean air and waste management, rather than state-level political ideologies.