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‘Urbanisation is a scam’: Vivek Agnihotri’s outburst on waterlogging in Mumbai amid heavy rain

In a post on X, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri questioned the state of urban planning in India, citing Mumbai's Nepean Sea Road.

According to the records, the highest rainfall was recorded at Nariman Point with 252 mm, followed by Byculla (E ward office) at 213 mm, Colaba at 207 mm, and Do Taki station at 202 mm (Image source: @vivekagnihotri/Instagram)

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has expressed frustration over Mumbai’s persistent waterlogging problem, criticising the state of civic infrastructure and governance, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the city experienced its highest single-day rainfall in May since 2021 and the second-highest for the month in the past decade.

Sharing a video of severe waterlogging on the posh Napean Sea Road, an area home to some of India’s wealthiest people, Agnihotri questioned the state of urban planning in the country. “Nepean Sea Road, home to India’s top billionaires, top ministers & officials chokes in one shower,” he wrote.

“So do Delhi, Bengaluru and other cities, year after year. India’s pathetic urbanisation is a scam wrapped in a sham. Poor ordinary citizens.. but who cares?” the filmmaker added.

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Nepean Sea Road, home to India’s top billionaires, top ministers & officials chokes in one shower. So do Delhi, Bengaluru and other cities, year after year. India’s pathetic urbanisation is a scam wrapped in a sham. Poor ordinary citizens.. but who cares?pic.twitter.com/dHA4sshv8u

— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) May 26, 2025

His post quickly gained traction, prompting reactions from social media users. “India needs to spend major on city infrastructure,” a user wrote. “There is zero town planning and all planning happens in isolation,” another user commented.

“Everyone craves for a water front property & muncipalty is bringing it to your doorstep, still people are complaining,” a third user wrote in a sarcastic comment.

Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) automated weather stations revealed that several areas in the city received over 200 mm of rainfall between midnight on Sunday and 11.30 am on Monday.

Also Read | After thunderstorms lash Delhi, videos of cars submerged in rainwater go viral. WATCH

The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, just a day after reaching in Kerala, marking its earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009. Typically, the monsoon reaches Kerala by June 1 and Mumbai around June 11 and covers the entire country by July 8. The withdrawal process begins from northwest India around September 17 and is usually complete by October 15.