India’s Infrastructure Crisis: When Development Drowns in the Rain …
Why Can’t We Build Robust Infrastructure ?
By : Natraj V Shetty, In association with Pavan Thimmavajjala
Research Associate, University of Hyderabad
Date : 29/05/2025
Introduction: A Nation on the Brink of Collapse
Despite India's rapid urban development and infrastructural advancements, the onset of monsoon
rains consistently exposes the fragility of its urban planning. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi,
Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Surat, Gurugram, Mangaluru and many
more, touted as symbols of modern India, routinely succumb to the pressures of seasonal rains,
leading to infrastructural failures, accidents, and loss of life. This recurring scenario raises
critical questions about the sustainability and resilience of India's infrastructural growth.
The Monsoon's Wrath: A Recurring Nightmare
The monsoon season, while vital for agriculture, has become synonymous with urban chaos in
India. Roads transform into rivers, public transport systems halt, and daily life grinds to a
standstill. The recent flooding of Mumbai's newly inaugurated underground Metro 3, just 17 days
post-launch, underscores the severity of the issue . Such incidents are not isolated but part of a
broader pattern of infrastructural inadequacies and poor urban design.
Case Studies: Cities Under Siege
Mumbai: The Financial Capital's Annual Ordeal
Mumbai's struggle with monsoon rains is emblematic of urban India's infrastructure woes. The
2025 monsoon season saw the city recording over 250 mm of rainfall in just 13 hours, leading to
widespread flooding . The newly inaugurated underground Metro 3 was inundated, disrupting
services. Did the water logging with sudden flooding , highlighted flaws in design and
preparedness?
With Mumbai prone to flooding , when underground metro was planned, should have considered
the flooding possibility or did planners ignored this key factor?
Delhi: The Capital's Waterlogged Corridors
Delhi's infrastructure crumbled under heavy rains, with key underpasses like Minto Bridge and
Delhi Cantonment submerged . Despite previous incidents and promises of improved drainage
systems, the city continues to face severe waterlogging, indicating a lack of effective long-term
solutions.
Bengaluru: The Silicon Valley's Sinking Reality
Bengaluru, India's tech hub, witnessed significant flooding, disrupting access to IT parks and
prompting companies to revert to work-from-home models. The city's rapid urbanization,
coupled with inadequate drainage infrastructure and approval of layouts on lake beds exacerbates
its vulnerability to monsoon rains.
Gurugram and Chennai: The Urban Flooding Paradigm
Gurugram and Chennai have experienced repeated flooding due to unplanned urbanization and
encroachment on natural drainage systems . The lack of integrated flood control measures and
the disruption of natural water channels have made these cities increasingly susceptible to
monsoon-induced disasters.
Even a Declared 'Smart City' Like Mangaluru Buckles Under Rains - Is Our Urbanisation
Smart at All?
Despite being listed among India's upcoming smart cities, Mangaluru continues to reel under the
same issues year after year, severe flooding, crumbling roads, disrupted services, and enormous
inconvenience for residents. When basic urban resilience is absent, the tag of "smart city"
becomes meaningless.
This exposes a deeper, systemic issue: Is our rapid urbanisation being pursued at the cost of
sustainability and long-term resilience? Expanding concrete jungles without strengthening the
underlying infrastructure only amplifies disaster vulnerability. If cities like Mangaluru with
declared planning cannot withstand seasonal rains, what does that say about our broader urban
planning model?
The question is no longer about progress, it’s about the quality, foresight, and accountability of
that progress.
The Underlying Causes: A Deep Dive
1. Poor Urban Planning: Rapid urbanization without corresponding infrastructure development
has led to congested cities ill-equipped to handle heavy rains.
2. No ‘participatory’ approach to planning : Citizens’ involvement in aspects of planning is
limited and as a result, there is a mismatch in understanding how a city should grow.
3. Encroachment on Natural Water Bodies: The filling of lakes, ponds, and wetlands for
construction has disrupted natural drainage, leading to waterlogging.
4. Poor Drainage Systems: Outdated and poorly maintained drainage infrastructure fails to cope
with the volume of monsoon rains. A central scheme - AMRUT, was expected to address these
issues but the situation hasn’t changed much in cities.
5. Lack of Accountability: Bureaucratic inertia and lack of coordination among municipal bodies
hinder timely responses to infrastructural failures.
Global Perspectives: Learning from the World
Countries like the Netherlands have implemented innovative solutions like the "Room for the
River" program, which allows rivers to overflow into designated areas, preventing urban
flooding. Similarly, cities worldwide are adopting "sponge city" concepts, integrating green
spaces and permeable surfaces to absorb rainwater . These examples highlight the importance of
proactive planning and sustainable infrastructure.
The Way Forward: Building Resilience
1. Integrated Urban Planning: Cities must adopt holistic planning approaches that consider
natural water flows and incorporate green infrastructure.
2. Restoration of Natural Water Bodies: Rejuvenating lakes, ponds, and wetlands can enhance a
city's capacity to manage excess rainwater.
3. Modernizing Drainage Systems: Upgrading and maintaining drainage infrastructure is crucial
to prevent waterlogging.
4. Community Engagement: Involving citizens in planning and maintenance can foster a sense of
ownership and accountability.
5. Outcome-based project planning to ensure proper utilisation of city-funds.
6. Policy Reforms and Accountability: Establishing clear lines of responsibility and enforcing
regulations can ensure timely action and maintenance.
A Call for Action
India's infrastructural challenges during the monsoon season are not merely technical issues but
reflect deeper systemic problems in urban governance and planning. The recurring failures
demand urgent attention, comprehensive reforms, and a commitment to sustainable development.
It's imperative for municipal bodies, state governments, and the central administration to
collaborate, innovate, and implement resilient infrastructure solutions. The time for rhetoric has
passed; decisive action is the need of the hour.
Final Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call, Not Just a Waterlogged Moment
India cannot afford to let its cities drown every monsoon while proudly speaking of
“development.” The gap between infrastructural promises and ground reality is widening and
people are paying for it with their time, safety, property and even their lives.
Authorities at every level , Municipal, State, and Central must realise that development without
durability sustainability is deception. Flooded metros, waterlogged roads, collapsing flyovers,
and inundated underpasses are not acts of nature but symptoms of poor planning and chronic
negligence.
Point to Ponder for Authorities:
➡️Is the infrastructure truly failing, or is the system failing the infrastructure?
➡️Where is the accountability when lives are lost to preventable civic failures?
➡️Are the funds allocated for urban infrastructure being transparently and efficiently utilised?
The utilization of public funds must not only be monitored but directed with clarity and purpose.
It is not enough to allocate crores for roads, metros, or drainage systems , the spending must be
specific, audited, and rooted in long-term climate resilience.
Sustainability, transparency, and accountability must form the foundation of our infrastructural
development. Otherwise, every monsoon will wash away more than just the roads , it will erode
public trust, civic safety, and our vision for a stronger India.
