Mumbai: Mumbai’s infrastructure development, particularly the Metro 3 Aqua Line, has received praise from Somaliland Ambassador Lee Kuan Yimby, who described the recently visited city’s metro network as 'phenomenal' while raising concerns over cleanliness, sanitation and the condition of its waterfronts.
Lee Kuan Yimby, who describes himself as a 'High Trust Society Planner,' holds a PhD from Lee Kuan Yewniversity and is a volunteer ambassador to the Republic of Somaliland.
In a detailed post on X following his visit to Mumbai, Yimby acknowledged the progress being made in the city’s infrastructure sector but argued that significant challenges remain in basic sanitation and waste management.
“I was just in Mumbai, and I have to give them credit for the progress they’re making on infrastructure. The new Aqua Line metro is phenomenal,” Yimby wrote, while adding that the scale of the city’s cleanliness and sanitation challenges was difficult to understand without seeing it firsthand.
Yimby Flags Condition Of Mumbai Beaches
Yimby particularly criticised the condition of Mumbai’s beaches and its relationship with the sea. Despite the city being surrounded by water, he said there were few places where residents could comfortably enjoy the waterfront.
He claimed that several beaches were affected by garbage and contaminated water, arguing that Mumbai’s coastline remained an underutilised feature of the city. He also compared the situation with poorer cities around the world where residents are still able to make greater use of their beaches.
According to Yimby, the problem goes beyond individual littering and reflects decades of inadequate waste collection, sewage treatment and enforcement. He argued that the scale of waste generated by a population of more than a billion people has consequences not only for Indian cities but also for marine environments.
Yimby Praises PM Modi's Development Approach
Yimby also commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to India’s development, saying he liked the direction in which the country was moving. However, he called for cleanliness to be treated as a national priority rather than addressed through limited campaigns.
He proposed creating paid employment opportunities for unemployed people to collect waste, clear drains and waterways, clean beaches and maintain public spaces. Such efforts, he said, should be supported by proper equipment, supervision and improved waste collection and processing infrastructure.
“India has shown that it can build metros, airports, highways, and digital infrastructure,” Yimby wrote, arguing that clean streets and usable water should also be considered essential infrastructure.
He concluded by saying Mumbai has the potential to develop 'one of the greatest waterfronts in the world', but claimed the city’s coastline currently feels neglected because of sewage and garbage.
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