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By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Lost in Transport

Mumbai’s grand transport infrastructure is undermined by potholes, Poor discipline and a last-mile gaps that keeps it crawling Mumbai: It is morning time, and Pawan Khandelwal is all set to leave for work. A creative lead at an ad agency in Malad, Mumbai, Khandelwal should take 12 to 15 minutes to reach the office, but that rarely happens because of the traffic, poor road quality and lack of civic sense among co-drivers on the road. He mostly ends up reaching the office in 30 to 40 minutes....

Lost in Transport

Mumbai’s grand transport infrastructure is undermined by potholes, Poor discipline and a last-mile gaps that keeps it crawling Mumbai: It is morning time, and Pawan Khandelwal is all set to leave for work. A creative lead at an ad agency in Malad, Mumbai, Khandelwal should take 12 to 15 minutes to reach the office, but that rarely happens because of the traffic, poor road quality and lack of civic sense among co-drivers on the road. He mostly ends up reaching the office in 30 to 40 minutes. Khandelwal firmly believes that road construction is not a major issue for traffic. “The road under construction is not a big issue because they usually don’t take very long to repair the roads. But even after their work is done, it is not done perfectly. At times when they are digging up the road for other purposes, they often leave a bump or a pothole,” he said. He gives an example, “One can see it on the western express highway. There are so many bumps. We call it a highway, but we can’t even drive at 15 km/h because it is not fixed properly.” He also blames people for not following traffic rules, which adds to the problem. Traffic Woes Although there are coastal roads and metros available, the traffic still seems to be a problem for many residents. A media professional and a daily commuter, Charlene Flanagan has been travelling in Mumbai for many years now. There is not much difference in her experience of the traffic congestion. From her experience, she believes the coastal roads and metros have not completely accomplished the mission of curbing traffic congestion. She says, “As a resident of Mumbai and as a person with a valid driver’s licence, I would say the traf f ic hasn’t really changed. It is still as congested, and whether the coastal roads have helped depends on the time of the day you leave and whether you are going against the traffic or along with the traffic.” The pedestrians also face problems. Saloni Mehta, a theatre artiste, says, “I prefer walking to my destinations. For example, I live in Versova, and if I want to see a play in the Prithvi Theatre, I will take a half-hour walk. However, this one time, I could not reach the venue, not just because of the traffic but also because there were no pavements left to walk on. The roads are dug up, and every road is just half a road.” Mumbai’s average speed covered is 5.2 km per 15 minutes. During the peak traffic hours in the morning, when most people travel to their workplace, the average speed is 18.5 km/h. It is important to understand the issue and address it with a solution. Sudhir Badami, an author of the book ‘Matter of Equitability - Making Commuting in Mumbai Enviable’, explains why people still prefer to use cars over metros, “The metro line 3 has definitely taken away some car users. But it has not taken away sufficient numbers of car users to make a difference in the state of road congestion. The reason behind this is essentially the last-mile connectivity in areas where the Aqua Line or Line 7 operates, especially in suburban areas. In the city area, it is supported by good BEST services on the one hand, and taxis being available near the metro stations on the other hand. But most car users still opt for using their cars, as public transport currently does provide assured exclusivity, comfort and good frequency, not forgetting last mile connectivity. The Coastal Road sees very few cars compared to the number of cars on Mumbai’s Roads. Badami, as a transportation analyst, says, “Mumbai has approximately 16 Lakhs motor cars, out of which only about 55,000 seem to be using coastal roads. It is such a minuscule proportion for whom so much has been spent. This is largely because in the city, people don’t go from one end of the city to the other end. They normally start from in between and go somewhere in between. If there is not much time saving for the shorter stretches, then people are not likely to take it, and there will be continued congestion on city roads.” “In general, the necessity of the last-mile connectivity is an important part, but the greater part will be how to get car users onto the public transport,” says Badami. Public transport must provide near exclusivity, comfort and safety to a car-using commuter for migration to take place. This is where the importance of last-mile connectivity is felt. Air Pollution The slow-moving traffic also adds to the air pollution in the city several times more than when they are moving at optimum speeds, he says. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mumbai, Anil Kumbhare, denies that there is much traffic congestion in Mumbai as compared to five years back. He credits the coastal roads for curbing the traffic. He says, “Earlier, there used to be bumper-to bumper traffic near Haji Ali. That has come down drastically. As coastal roads shape, the traffic will go down.” He also adds that there is traffic congestion in the morning hours as people are travelling for work. But there is no traffic jam. Although coastal roads have helped, there are still pockets of the city that face traffic congestion every day. This can be solved with careful planning and execution.

A Legacy of Rupture: Trudeau and the Undoing of Indo-Canadian Relations

Updated: Jan 10, 2025

Trudeau’s divisive tenure serves as a cautionary tale of how domestic political calculations can erode international partnerships.

Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau’s resignation as head of Canada’s Liberal Party earlier this week perfectly encapsulated the title of one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s best-known novels, Chronicle of a Death Foretold. For Trudeau’s years of political missteps, ideological gambits and diplomatic faux pas indeed were sad chronicles that foretold his political death.


Once heralded as a progressive beacon on the global stage, Trudeau leaves behind a Canada with strained international alliances, most notably with India—a relationship painstakingly built over decades and left in shambles under his leadership.


For years, India and Canada enjoyed a robust partnership rooted in shared democratic values, pluralism, and deepening trade ties. Canada became a preferred destination for Indian professionals and students, fostering invaluable people-to-people connections. Under Trudeau, however, this relationship deteriorated rapidly, eroding trust on both sides and plunging bilateral ties into their lowest ebb.


Trudeau’s tenure saw the Indo-Canadian relationship collapse under the weight of a series of unseemly controversies. His undiplomatic behaviour during a state visit to India in 2018 raised eyebrows, but it was his handling of the Sikh separatist issue that ignited a full-blown crisis. By failing to take decisive action against Khalistani elements in Canada, Trudeau emboldened extremists who openly campaigned against India’s territorial integrity, triggering outrage in New Delhi.


The final blow came last year when Trudeau accused India of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist. These allegations were made without providing substantive evidence, and many suspected that the claims were a calculated diversion from Trudeau’s mounting domestic woes, including allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian politics.


Adding insult to injury, Trudeau expelled Indian diplomats and accused Indian agents of criminal activities on Canadian soil, escalating the crisis into a full-scale diplomatic row. Canadian authorities failed to curtail extremist violence targeting Indian diplomats and citizens, further alienating India.

Trudeau’s combative approach extended to accusations against Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging intimidation campaigns in Canada—a claim New Delhi dismissed as baseless. His government also imposed restrictive visa protocols on Indian citizens, straining economic and cultural exchanges.


Domestic Debacles

While Trudeau’s anti-India rhetoric dominated headlines, his domestic challenges proved equally disastrous. Rising housing prices, an immigration crisis and spiralling inflation eroded his approval ratings. Scandals such as the blackface controversy and challenges in his personal life further tarnished his image.


The economic uncertainty triggered by then-President Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian goods added to Trudeau’s mounting pressures. By the start of the new year, calls for his resignation were deafening, amplified by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s abrupt exit from the cabinet.


Trudeau’s resignation offers a chance for reset, but the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. His successor will inherit a Canada-India relationship fraught with distrust, alongside the daunting task of repairing diplomatic, economic, and security ties. Several contenders have emerged for Trudeau’s mantle, each with distinct implications for India.


Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau’s former deputy and finance minister, boasts a distinguished career and is widely seen as a rational actor. Her leadership could offer a measured approach to rebuilding trust with India. In contrast, Dominic LeBlanc, Trudeau’s close ally and current finance minister, might be less inclined to depart from his predecessor’s policies, raising concerns in New Delhi.


Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, has shown pragmatism in her diplomatic engagements. Her leadership could bring a more balanced approach, especially if she distances herself from Trudeau’s combative style. Mark Carney, a former central banker with international credentials, has been quietly lobbying for support. His technocratic background suggests a reconciliatory approach, though his ties to Trudeau’s team could complicate perceptions in India.


A dark horse in the race and the current transport minister, Anita Anand brings a unique perspective with her Indian heritage. While her selection could signal a new chapter in Indo-Canadian ties, New Delhi would be wise to temper expectations, given past experiences with leaders of Indian origin in Western democracies.


Canada’s next leader will not only have to navigate relations with India but also manage the country’s ties with the United States led by Trump. Washington’s posture toward Ottawa will inevitably influence Canada’s foreign policy, including its approach to New Delhi.


For India, extending a hand of friendship to Canada’s new leader is essential, but it takes two to tango. A constructive relationship will require concessions and commitments from both sides.


Trudeau’s tenure will be remembered as a cautionary tale of how domestic political calculations can undermine international partnerships. His focus on identity politics, combined with his failure to address the complexities of Canada’s multiculturalism, alienated one of the country’s most important global partners.


Yet his resignation provides a glimmer of hope. Canada-India ties have weathered storms before and can do so again. Much depends on whether Trudeau’s successor can rebuild bridges while addressing the domestic fractures that Trudeau left behind. Trudeau’s departure marks the end of an era—an era marked not by the promise of progress, but by the perils of hubris.


(The author is a retired Indian Naval Aviation Officer and a geo-political analyst. Views Personal.)


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