RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka recently highlighted a stark contrast in Mumbai: its gleaming, modern skyline, which he likened to Manhattan, versus what he termed its '18th century' infrastructure. Goenka's social media post on October 5, 2026, quickly gained traction, drawing agreement and further criticism from former Chief Secretary of Delhi, Shailaja Chandra.
Mumbai's Dual Reality: Skyline vs. Street Level
Goenka articulated his observations, stating that while Mumbai has a "spectacular skyline" that looks impressive from a distance, a closer look reveals "sprawling slums, broken roads, potholes & crumbling infrastructure." He succinctly summarized the paradox: "Mumbai's skyline-21st century. Mumbai's infrastructure-18th century!"
Ex-Bureaucrat Demands Accountability
Shailaja Chandra, who previously served as Secretary in the Health Ministry before retiring as Delhi's Chief Secretary, welcomed Goenka's criticism. She endorsed his sentiments but pressed further, asking a crucial question: "who allowed this to happen?"
Chandra elaborated on the systemic issues, suggesting that both she and Goenka were aware of how municipal rules and urban planning are often undermined by political and administrative decisions. She pointed out that "encroachments are tolerated, municipal laws overlooked and vote banks cultivated."
The former bureaucrat warned of predictable consequences when neighborhoods are permitted to expand beyond the capacity of essential services like water supply, sewage, and drainage systems. She emphasized the disparity between influential residents, who can insulate themselves from the city's problems, and ordinary citizens who lack such protection and often fear speaking out due to concerns for their families and livelihoods.
Chandra concluded by questioning the ongoing discussion of Mumbai's infrastructure problems solely through visual contrasts. She urged for a deeper inquiry into "who enabled them—who still enables them and who will answer for the wilful neglect?"