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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Infrastructure moment in MMR

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) stands at a critical inflection point as the Mahayuti alliance secured near-complete control over key municipal corporations across the region. With aligned political leadership at the state and civic levels, the long-fragmented governance architecture of India’s most complex urban agglomeration may finally see greater coherence in planning and execution. For a region grappling with mobility stress, water insecurity and uneven urban expansion, the...

Infrastructure moment in MMR

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) stands at a critical inflection point as the Mahayuti alliance secured near-complete control over key municipal corporations across the region. With aligned political leadership at the state and civic levels, the long-fragmented governance architecture of India’s most complex urban agglomeration may finally see greater coherence in planning and execution. For a region grappling with mobility stress, water insecurity and uneven urban expansion, the question now is not what to build—but how quickly and seamlessly projects can be delivered. Urban mobility remains the backbone of MMR’s infrastructure agenda. Several metro corridors are at advanced stages, including the Andheri West–Vikhroli Metro Line 6 and extensions of the Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ Metro Line 3. While construction has progressed steadily, coordination issues with municipal agencies—particularly related to road restoration, utilities shifting and traffic management—have often slowed execution. With elected civic bodies now politically aligned with the state government and agencies like MMRDA and MMRC, these bottlenecks are expected to ease. Decision-making on road closures, permissions for casting yards and last-mile integration with buses and footpaths could see faster turnarounds. Suburban rail projects such as the Panvel–Karjat corridor and additional railway lines on the Central and Western routes are also likely to benefit from smoother land acquisition and rehabilitation approvals, traditionally the most contentious municipal functions. Regional Connectivity MMR’s road infrastructure has expanded rapidly in recent years, but execution has often been uneven across municipal boundaries. Projects such as the Mumbai Coastal Road, the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road, the Thane–Borivali tunnel and the Airoli–Katai connector have regional significance but require constant coordination with local bodies for utilities, encroachments and traffic planning. Under a unified civic dispensation, authorities expect fewer inter-agency delays and greater willingness at the municipal level to prioritise regionally critical projects over hyper-local political considerations. The next phase of the Coastal Road, suburban creek bridges, and arterial road widening projects in fast-growing nodes like Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli and Panvel could be streamlined as municipal corporations align their development plans with state transport objectives. Water Security Water supply remains one of the most politically sensitive infrastructure issues in MMR, particularly in peripheral urban zones. Projects such as the Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme and proposed dam developments in the Karjat region are designed to address chronic shortages in Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar and parts of Navi Mumbai. While these projects are state-driven, municipal cooperation is critical for distribution networks, billing systems and sewerage integration. With elected bodies replacing administrators, local governments are expected to accelerate last-mile pipelines, treatment plants and sewage networks that often lag behind bulk water infrastructure. Unified political control may also reduce resistance to tariff rationalisation and long-delayed sewage treatment upgrades mandated under environmental norms. Housing Integration One area where political alignment could have an outsized impact is redevelopment—particularly slum rehabilitation and transit-oriented development. Many large housing projects have stalled due to disputes between civic officials, state agencies and local political interests. A cohesive governance structure could fast-track approvals for cluster redevelopment near metro corridors, unlocking both housing supply and ridership potential. Municipal corporations are also likely to align their development control regulations more closely with state urban policy, enabling higher density near transport nodes and more predictable redevelopment timelines. This could be transformative for older suburbs and industrial belts awaiting regeneration. The return of elected municipal councils after years of administrative rule introduces political accountability but also sharper alignment with state priorities. Budget approvals, tendering processes and policy decisions that earlier faced delays due to political uncertainty are expected to move faster. Capital expenditure plans could increasingly reflect regional priorities rather than fragmented ward-level demands. However, challenges remain. Faster execution will depend not only on political control but on institutional capacity, contractor performance and financial discipline. Public scrutiny is also likely to intensify as elected representatives seek visible results within fixed tenures.

The Boy Who Would Be King

Can the youthful Shubman Gill rise above princely promise to build a new red-ball empire?

When India’s selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar stepped up to the microphones at the Wankhede Stadium last week, a generational baton was passed. Rohit Sharma, the genial elder statesman of Indian Test cricket, had walked into the sunset. Virat Kohli, his fiery predecessor, had bowed out too. In their wake emerged Shubman Gill, suddenly the 37th Test captain of India at 25.


Gill has long been seen as a prince-in-waiting - a batsman with the kind of classical elegance and modern temperament that has prompted comparisons to Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli in the same breath. Now, he is the leader of a team in transition, charged with shepherding a post-Rohit, post-Virat generation into a new era of Indian red-ball dominance.


His elevation is as much about potential as it is about performance. Gill’s Test average in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) remains unflattering. Yet, selectors believe that responsibility will coax out the consistency.


India’s cricketing mandarins, it seems, have opted for the long view. They could have played safe by anointing Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper or JaspritBumrah. But Pant’s form after a near-fatal car crash has been erratic and Bumrah remains under strict workload management.


Gill’s ascension owes more to his temperament than his stats. As captain of the Gujarat Titans in this year’s IPL, he led with calmness and clarity. His leadership was understated but effective, something that must have impressed India’s cricketing establishment.


One man in particular had watched Gill closely from the beginning: Rahul Dravid. The outgoing coach worked with Gill during India’s victorious 2018 Under-19 campaign and is said to have lobbied strongly for him as the next long-term Test captain. Dravid’s parting endorsement carried weight in the corridors of the BCCI.


Gill’s Test journey itself has been uneven. Since debuting in the iconic 2020 Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where he scored a serene 91 in India’s improbable series win, he has flitted in and out of form. At times he has appeared too languid, too loose against the moving ball abroad. Yet at home, and especially on flatter decks, his strokeplay remains a joy to behold.


Still, challenges loom large. The England series, beginning June 20, will be no ceremonial debut. It is the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and will likely feature spicy tracks, probing swing and a revamped English attack. With senior bowlers like Mohammed Shami out and Bumrah available for only three Tests, Gill must also juggle batting burdens with tactical nous.


Some have questioned whether the choice was premature. KL Rahul, another senior statesman, is 33 but more experienced. Yet age and injuries have dulled his claim.


It helps that Gill straddles eras. He is old enough to have shared dressing rooms with Kohli and Rohit, yet young enough to bond with India’s next crop which includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Ruturaj Gaikwad. His leadership may depend as much on locker room dynamics as on tactical flair. For now, the BCCI is betting that Gill’s polish and poise will lend gravitas to a team rebuilding its spine.


The question, of course, is whether the boy from Fazilka can shoulder India’s most scrutinised job without becoming its next burnout. Kohli once thrived on confrontation; Dhoni on detachment. Gill will need to find his own idiom of leadership. He is not as fiery as Kohli, nor as stoic as Dravid, but there is a certain stillness to him, an economy of words and gestures that suggests steel under silk.


For now, the boy who would be king must turn promise into power. The Test begins soon.

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