Mumbai Votes in BMC Polls to Fix Ailing Infrastructure; BJP Aims for Historic Win

• Mumbai holds long-overdue BMC elections to elect new councilors for its Rs 80,000 crore budget, aiming to upgrade infrastructure.
• The city plans a $30 billion infrastructure overhaul, including new bridges, roads, underground rail, and slum redevelopment.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritizes Mumbai's infrastructure to attract foreign capital and match India's global ambitions.
• The BJP, allied with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, seeks to capture Mumbai for the first time, with results due January 16.
• Despite infrastructure challenges, Mumbai sees booming commercial real estate and renewed interest from global financial firms like BlackRock and HSBC.

Why It Matters: Mumbai's BMC elections are crucial for its infrastructure future, with BJP aiming for a significant win.