Economy | Citizen Matters, Mumbai

COVID19 broke the backs of Mumbai’s informal sector workers. What does 2021 hold in store?

December 28, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

If the markets stabilise and the economy grows, we would need to understand if the benefit will extend to the labourers, says a city-based NGO which researched on Mumbai’s informal sector.

Dharavi women take to street vending to feed families

November 23, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

There has been a significant increase in street vending during the pandemic. But the hurdles these vendors face have not reduced.

Dharavi: COVID recovery quick, economic recovery to take time

November 16, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

People in Dharavi believe negative media publicity about COVID numbers affected economic recovery of the disease

Can an urban income guarantee scheme reduce unemployment in cities?

November 4, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

In 2019, researchers at the Azim Premji University (APU) proposed the creation of a National Urban Employment Guarantee Programme that addresses the problem of unemployment, underemployment and low wages in the informal urban workforce. The

VIDEO: Domestic fishing market sidelined, best of Mumbai’s fish exported

October 31, 2020 Aslam Saiyad and Muhammed Shaikh

Why do we need to import fish when we have a superior quality locally, such as the local Tuna, Sakla, Ghol, Barracuda, Snapper etc, ask local fishermen.

“If we get 100 rupees should we feed our children, pay rent, or deal with loans?” ask women in Mumbai’s slums

August 13, 2020 Nihira

Microfinance companies threaten debtors to repay loans when there is no employment opportunities. Here’s how women in Chembur dealt with the situation.

Mumbai youth group urges support for the poor as they face starvation, job cuts along with COVID risk

April 2, 2020 Anuja Sirohi

Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) conducted a rapid assessment in over 20 settlements across Greater Mumbai where low-income communities live and work, and found that they not only face risk of disease, but a threat to basic sustenance in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mumbai 24X7: Maximum city now open for maximum hours of the day

February 14, 2020 Azkeya Tase

In line with a government decision aimed at promoting tourism, Mumbai — the city that never sleeps — is running a pilot project that allows select malls and eateries to stay open all day and night. A week after the experiment started, we asked citizens and businesses about their experience.

Mumbai’s housing conundrum: Unsold houses, sky-high prices

January 11, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

6.48 lakh houses remained unsold across India’s top seven cities in 2019, and Mumbai alone accounted for nearly a third of these. Yet scarcity of affordable housing pushes people further and further away from the city. What could explain this?

As Mumbai gets ready to bid adieu to Bappa, the sea braces for more pollution

September 10, 2019 Jahanvi J

An estimated 1.63 lakh idols were bought by households this year, and over 19,000 idols for the public pandals. Most of these are made of thermocol and Plaster-of-Paris (POP), and will be immersed in the sea, along the popular beaches. Why is Mumbai unable to move from POP to clay idols?

Life without plastic: Mumbaikars prepare to show the way

June 25, 2018 Arathi Manay Yajaman

The Maharashtra plastic and thermocol ban kicks in today. What is banned? What can happen if you violate the ban? And most importantly, what are your alternatives? A look at how the average Mumbaikar is preparing for life without plastic.