BHIWANDI: As heavy rain inundated several parts of Bhiwandi over the past four days, an unlikely volunteer dressed as Spiderman emerged on the city’s waterlogged streets, helping stranded motorists and pedestrians navigate flooded roads while drawing both admiration and debate on social media.The man behind the costume is Shadab Momin, a Bhiwandi resident and social media content creator who regularly uploads videos in the superhero avatar. However, during the ongoing spell of heavy rain, Momin traded comedy for community service, spending hours on inundated roads assisting commuters.With several low-lying areas submerged and potholes concealed beneath murky floodwater, Momin was seen directing traffic, warning motorists about deep craters, pushing stranded two-wheelers and four-wheelers, and helping pedestrians cross flooded stretches safely. Videos of his efforts quickly went viral, earning lakhs of views and widespread appreciation from social media users.Momin, who describes himself as a comedian on Instagram and has built a large online following, said his intention was not only to help residents but also to draw attention to recurring civic issues.Speaking in one of his videos, he questioned why roads continue to get waterlogged after every spell of heavy rain despite crores of rupees being spent annually on road repairs and desilting of drains.“Every year the same roads get flooded and dangerous potholes remain hidden under water. Will the administration act only after an innocent person loses their life?” he asked.However, he said he was saddened to see his city in such a state, with roads getting waterlogged every time it rains.According to him, vehicles routinely get stranded in flooded stretches and are often damaged after hitting potholes hidden beneath the water.He said it is the responsibility of the civic authorities to repair roads and prevent waterlogging, but despite projects worth crores of rupees being sanctioned every year, residents’ grievances continue to fall on deaf ears.His videos have triggered mixed reactions online. While many users praised him for stepping in when commuters needed assistance the most, others questioned whether the act was intended to create social media content.Despite the differing opinions, residents who witnessed Momin helping people on flooded roads said his presence prevented several minor accidents by alerting motorists to submerged potholes and assisting vehicles that had become stranded.With Bhiwandi continuing to witness heavy rainfall and recurring waterlogging in several low-lying areas, Momin’s “real-life Spiderman” act has become a talking point, highlighting both individual acts of public service and persistent concerns over the city’s monsoon preparedness.
