As I watch the rains pour over Mumbai, I cannot but think of the now famous Mumbai Deluge of 26th July 2005, which is etched in the history books. Take a look at some numbers:
26th July 2005 deluge stats:
Transport stats:
- 52 local trains damaged
- 37,000 auto rickshaws spoiled
- 4,000 taxis damaged
- 900 BEST buses damaged
- 10,000 trucks and tempos grounded
The above stats do not cover human life and animal life lost. Painful yet, what are the lessons each of us have learnt? I am sure one lesson we all learnt out of this deluge was “fear”. High tide has become part of the average Mumbai lingo, especially during rainy season.
We are witnesses and part of these changes:
Rapid Urbanization
Disappearance of open spaces
More cars, more noise
Footpaths gobbled up by second hand car dealers
More Chaos
Highly stressed life
Lifestyle Diseases
Are we continuing to miss an opportunity to work with nature and create this mega city which is sync with Nature?
Urban development is very good, it creates an opportunity for us all to live our dreams. However, unless, we really shift to “planned urban design & development”, I fear Mumbai will soon loose its shine of being the financial centre of the country. These days, the trend is of high rise structures, as high as 100 floors. Does Mumbai have the tensile strength to take this load? Or are we taking a chance with Nature?
Take another scenario. At one end, Mumbai gets heavy rains only to go back to the sea, while at the other, is the drought conditions in places like Vidarbha. Ironical, yet true!!. If Mumbai can get water supply from Vaitarna, I am sure there are engineering solutions available to transport this excess waters to drought affected areas. Another great opportunity for the infrastructure industry.
The story is no different in Bangalore, another city which hosts big international brands employing thousands of young aspiring Indians. Come rains, the city gets water clogged.
The latest trend I now see are the ads in the newspapers inviting the city dweller to buy a vacation home in a green hilly place. Beautiful streams, organic farms, beautiful views. You know where we are heading in the next decade. Another mountain chopped to satiate the lifestyle disease of the urban dweller who cares a damn for Nature, yet tries to create pockets of Nature as a guilt of his crimes. The Builders are ever ready to fulfil your desires with their various schemes. Ever wondered what happens to villages and the simple village dweller who is not yet spoilt by urban mania. I doubt.
As part of Make in India, can I urge the government to look into the dynamics of urban design and planning on the social fabric of our society?
To conclude, Man has historically been a nomad. Earlier, it was in search of food and shelter, and now, with technology and machines driving man, it is for that ever evading luxury called “Nature”. This race is taking a toll on the nomad that we were and are. Whether we win this race depends on how much we cooperate with #Nature.
– #SJ