Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Somaliland Ambassador Praises Mumbai Metro, Criticizes Waterfront Cleanliness
Lee Kuan Yimby visited Mumbai and praised its new Aqua Line metro.
He said the city is doing well at building transport and other infrastructure.
However, he was worried about garbage and dirty water near some beaches.
He also said people cannot use enough of Mumbai’s waterfront comfortably.
Yimby argued that the problem is linked to waste collection and sewage treatment.
He suggested creating jobs to clean streets, drains, waterways and beaches.
He said these workers would need equipment and supervision.
He also said clean streets and usable water are as important as metros and highways.
The comments came as Mumbai continues expanding while dealing with pollution and waste-management problems.
Somaliland Ambassador Lee Kuan Yimby called Mumbai’s Metro 3 Aqua Line “phenomenal” after visiting the city.
He praised Mumbai’s broader infrastructure development, including metros, airports, highways and digital infrastructure.
Yimby criticized garbage, contaminated water, sewage and limited public access along Mumbai’s beaches and waterfronts.
He said cleanliness requires sustained waste collection, sewage treatment, enforcement and properly equipped paid workers.
Yimby praised the direction of Narendra Modi’s development approach while urging India to make cleanliness a national priority.
- Who
- Lee Kuan Yimby, described in the article as a volunteer ambassador to the Republic of Somaliland, commented on Mumbai’s infrastructure.
- What
- He praised the Metro 3 Aqua Line and criticized cleanliness, sanitation, waste management and waterfront conditions.
- When
- The comments were made in a post on X after his visit to Mumbai.
- Where
- Mumbai, particularly its Metro 3 Aqua Line, beaches and coastline.
- Why
- He wanted to recognize infrastructure progress while highlighting what he described as continuing sanitation, sewage, waste and waterfront problems.
Infrastructure Progress
Sanitation and Waterfront Concerns
Mumbai’s development
Infrastructure Progress
Yimby praised Mumbai’s Metro 3 Aqua Line and recognized broader progress in transport and infrastructure.
Sanitation and Waterfront Concerns
Yimby argued that infrastructure progress should also include clean streets, usable water and well-maintained public spaces.
Mumbai’s coastline
Infrastructure Progress
The city’s extensive coastline was described as having the potential to become one of the world’s greatest waterfronts.
Sanitation and Waterfront Concerns
Yimby said garbage, contaminated water and sewage currently leave much of the waterfront neglected and underused.
How to improve cleanliness
Infrastructure Progress
The article highlights Mumbai’s continuing expansion of its transport and infrastructure network.
Sanitation and Waterfront Concerns
Yimby called for sustained waste collection, improved sewage treatment, stronger enforcement and paid workers equipped to clean public areas.
- Metro assessment
- Yimby described Mumbai’s new Aqua Line as “phenomenal.”
- Main criticism
- He raised concerns about garbage, contaminated water, sewage treatment and sanitation.
- Waterfront concern
- He said Mumbai has few places where residents can comfortably enjoy the sea despite being surrounded by water.
- Suggested response
- He proposed paid jobs to collect waste, clear drains and waterways, clean beaches and maintain public spaces.
- Infrastructure comparison
- Yimby said India has demonstrated its ability to build metros, airports, highways and digital infrastructure.
- Political view
- He said he liked the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development approach.
- Public reaction
- The comments drew online attention, with journalists and other users expressing similar concerns about Mumbai.