Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has kicked off its much-anticipated census drive, marking a significant step in updating the city’s demographic data. Officials announced the commencement of the first round of enumeration on Monday, with expectations high for preliminary results to emerge within weeks.
The census, long overdue amid rapid urbanization and population shifts, aims to capture accurate figures on residents, housing, and vital statistics. BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal emphasized the importance of public participation, urging citizens to cooperate with enumerators visiting households.
Teams of trained enumerators, equipped with digital tablets for real-time data entry, have fanned out across Mumbai’s 24 administrative wards. The process prioritizes high-density areas like slums and high-rises first, ensuring comprehensive coverage despite logistical challenges posed by the city’s monsoon-prone geography.
Early indicators suggest robust initial response rates, particularly in suburban regions. BMC has deployed over 5,000 personnel, supported by technology to minimize errors and expedite processing. ‘This census will inform policy-making on everything from water supply to healthcare allocation,’ Chahal stated during a press briefing.
Challenges remain, including migrant worker mobility and privacy concerns, but BMC has introduced helplines and multilingual forms to address them. As the first phase wraps up, all eyes are on the data that could reshape Mumbai’s urban planning for the next decade.
The municipal body plans subsequent rounds to refine figures, with a full report slated for release by year-end. This initiative aligns with national efforts to modernize census operations, positioning Mumbai as a frontrunner in civic data management.