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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.

Gudhi Rising

Once again, Gudhi Padwa arrived with its promise of renewal. Maharashtra decked itself in festive splendour, with homes adorned in fresh mango leaves and Gudhi flags fluttering in the breeze. It marks yet another period of new beginnings, where resolutions are made. Let this Gudhi Padwa mark a fresh start for Mumbai’s – and the rest of Maharshtra’s - long-suffering infrastructure projects, which have often progressed at the pace of a reluctant bullock cart. May the Mahayuti government, inspired by the festive spirit, fast-track long-pending initiatives - be it road repairs that don’t get washed away with the first monsoon shower or the redevelopment of funnel zone buildings that have been hanging fire for years. If the New Year can bring renewal to every household, surely it can also infuse new energy into bureaucratic processes?


Of course, Gudhi Padwa is not just about bricks and mortar but also about the spirit of unity. As neighbours step out to greet one another, may this warmth extend beyond festival day pleasantries. Maharashtra, with its rich history of inclusivity, has weathered many storms, but the true test of its greatness lies in how it fosters social harmony. The first quarter of 2025 has seen political temperatures soar in Maharashtra, be it the murder of a sarpanch in Beed or communal tensions in Nagpur. Let the state remember that its strength has always been in its diversity, not in divisive rhetoric and deeds.


This is particularly relevant given the law-and-order challenges Maharashtra has faced in recent months, which have served as grim reminders that peace cannot be taken for granted.


Law and order, too, could do with a festive renewal. Just as every home is swept clean for the New Year, let’s hope Maharashtra’s cities see a thorough sweep of crime and corruption. The police force could certainly use more support to maintain law and order, ensuring that prosperity is accompanied by peace. After all, what good is development if citizens don’t feel secure enough to enjoy it?


And while we are making wishes, here’s one for Mumbai’s commuting warriors: may the city’s trains and metros run on time, may Pune’s potholes become endangered species and may the honking on its streets be replaced miraculously by a symphony of disciplined driving. The latter does seem wishful thinking in a Pune bursting at its seams, but if that happens, it will truly be a divine intervention worth celebrating.


So as Maharashtrians raise their Gudhis skyward, symbolizing victory and auspicious beginnings, let’s also raise our hopes not just for a year of individual prosperity, but for a Maharashtra that thrives in every aspect. May the government keep its promises, may citizens find happiness in harmony and may progress march ahead, unencumbered by red tape or political theatrics.


Here’s to a New Year that is not just happy, but truly transformative. Gudhi Padwayachya Hardik Shubhechha!

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