US Consulate clarifies, says advisory for first-time visitors

On June 10, the US Consulate had put up an advisory on its website asking its citizens to be careful while navigating through the streets of Mumbai during the rains. The note, which talks about the BMC’s inept handling of the waterlogging, had ruffled quite a few feathers in the civic corridors.

In his letter to Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak, US Consul General Michael Owen has clarified that the note was meant for those Americans coming to Mumbai for the first time and do not have any prior experience of the monsoon here. The letter in fact praises the BMC’s “efficient” handling of the monsoon and floods every year. It also mentions that the consulate has in no way stopped anyone from coming here. In fact, it says, very soon, a group of US dignitaries will be on their way to Delhi and Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Mayor Shubha Raul has shot off a letter to the Consulate asking them to clarify the note on their website.