Civic officials have reported an increase in malaria cases, attributing this trend partly to enhanced surveillance measures. However, activists and local corporators argue that the city’s extensive infrastructure projects are contributing to the problem. They highlight stagnant water accumulation at construction sites and inadequate drainage systems as significant factors that could foster breeding conditions for malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes.
Mumbai: Mumbai has recorded two malaria deaths this monsoon , with cases rising to 9,298 so far this year. The 2026 tally is already 91.5% of the 10,163 cases reported through all of 2025, according to state health department data. Malaria cases in Mumbai have doubled since 2022, when the city recorded 3,985 infections, climbing to 10,163 in 2025 — a 155% increase, according to data from National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control. The caseload, however, remains below the 2004 peak of 14,756 cases and 23 deaths.
This year’s two fatalities come after three consecutive years without a death. Civic officials have attributed the rise partly to better surveillance. But activists and corporators have linked it to the city’s massive infrastructure push, pointing to stagnant water at construction sites and poor drainage as potential breeding grounds for malaria-spreading Anopheles mosquitoes.
Former Congress corporator from Dahisar Sheetal Mhatre, who was diagnosed with dengue on Aug 18, questioned BMC’s focus on major infrastructure projects amid a rise in mosquito-borne diseases. Malaria in Mumbai Year———Cases———Deaths 2020———–5,015———0 2021———–5,162———0 2022———–3,985———2 2023———–7,319———0 2024———–7,939———0 2025———–10,163——–0 2026* —9,298———-2 (*Till Sept) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Due to the high fever, many have needed admission,” he said.
Dr Gautam Bhansali of Bombay Hospital, where malaria admissions continue, said patients were experiencing prolonged fever. “Water pipeline leakages could sometimes contribute to breeding, though that is only one of several possible reasons,” Bhandgire said. “There are so many cases of malaria and dengue that it is surprising to see what has changed over the past few years, when the civic body was doing so well and focusing on measures such as fumigation,” she said. She also said poorly planned road levels in some areas were contributing to waterlogging and creating mosquito-breeding grounds. In some cases, water remains stagnant for a long time, giving mosquitoes enough time to breed,” he said. He said civic staff monitoring air pollution at infrastructure projects should also be empowered to act if water remains stagnant beyond a stipulated period.
Doctors have flagged another concern: malaria appears to be behaving differently this year. “This year, patients continue to have high fever for almost five days, as against previous years when fever would subside within two days of starting anti-malarial treatment. BMC health committee chairman and BJP corporator Harish Bhandgire played down the possibility of a citywide outbreak, saying cases were concentrated in pockets such as Dongri, Sion and Parel. Civic teams from the health, pest control and maintenance departments are working to identify and eliminate breeding spots, he added. Mhatre alleged that the civic body was prioritising infrastructure over basic services such as healthcare and sanitation. Kurla corporator and Congress group leader in BMC Ashraf Azmi flagged stagnant water at infrastructure sites as another potential breeding ground. “Currently, there is no SOP specifying how long water can remain at infrastructure sites. Azmi called for a clear protocol and stricter monitoring of such sites. Download the TOI App.