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....

min read

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.

The Eternal Beauty of Test Cricket

Waleed Hussain
Jun 15, 2025
3 min read

Test cricket is the heartbeat of the game, the soul of sport, a canvas where resilience, grit, and glory paint stories that echo through generations. And what a masterpiece we witnessed when South Africa, the underdog Proteas, toppled the mighty Australians in a clash that will be whispered about in cricket’s hallowed halls for years to come. This wasn’t just a match; it was a five-day epic, a love letter to the game’s enduring beauty, sealed with the heroics of Aiden Markram.

Test cricket is no fleeting fling. It’s a slow burn, a romance that demands patience, strategy, and heart. It’s the only format where time itself becomes a character, stretching moments into eternity, testing players and fans alike. In this latest chapter, South Africa faced an Australian side that arrived like conquerors, their aura forged in decades of dominance. Yet, the Proteas, battered but unbowed, reminded us why Test cricket is the ultimate stage for human spirit.

From the first ball, this match was a war of attrition. Australia’s bowlers, led by the relentless Pat Cummins, hurled thunderbolts, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. South Africa’s batters, time and again, were pushed to the brink. Wickets tumbled, hopes flickered, but something stirred in the Proteas’ camp—a defiance, a belief that refused to die. And at the center of this storm stood Aiden Markram, a man whose bat became a beacon, guiding his team through the darkest hours.

Markram’s innings was no mere collection of runs; it was a saga of courage. Every cover drive, every defiant block, carried the weight of a nation’s dreams. He wasn’t just batting; he was fighting—for his team, for his country, for the very essence of Test cricket. When he raised his bat for a century, the roar from the stands wasn’t just for him; it was for every fan who’s ever held their breath through a tense session, for every dreamer who knows that Test cricket rewards those who endure. His resolve inspired his teammates, galvanizing a side that refused to bow to Australia’s might.

What makes Test cricket so beautiful is its unpredictability, its refusal to bow to scripts. Australia, with their storied lineup, were favorites, their batting order a parade of titans. But Test cricket laughs at reputations. It humbles the mighty and elevates the brave. South Africa’s bowlers, led by the tireless Kagiso Rabada, tore through Australia’s lineup like a wildfire through dry grass. Each wicket was a triumph, each celebration a release of pent-up passion. The Proteas didn’t just play; they poured their souls onto the pitch, their unity a testament to the game’s power to forge bonds under pressure.

And oh, the final day! If Test cricket is a novel, the fifth day is its climactic chapter, where every twist leaves you gasping. Australia, chasing a daunting target, fought with the ferocity of cornered lions. The tension was unbearable—every run a dagger, every dot ball a prayer. But South Africa held firm. Markram, now a leader in the field, marshaled his troops with a calm that belied the storm within. When the final run was taken, the eruption of joy was seismic. Players embraced, fans wept, and somewhere, the spirit of Test cricket smiled.

This victory wasn’t just South Africa’s; it was Test cricket’s. In an age of T20 pyrotechnics and instant gratification, this match was a reminder that true beauty lies in struggle, in the slow unfurling of a story over five grueling days. Test cricket doesn’t spoon-feed excitement; it earns it, drop by drop, session by session. It’s a game that mirrors life—full of setbacks, moments of doubt, and the sweet, hard-won taste of triumph. It teaches us that glory is sweetest when it’s forged in the furnace of adversity.

Aiden Markram, take a bow. Your resilience was the heartbeat of this win, a testament to the Proteas’ unyielding spirit. But this victory belongs to every player who toiled, every fan who believed, and every blade of grass on that sacred pitch. South Africa didn’t just beat Australia; they reminded us why we love Test cricket—because it’s raw, real, and relentlessly human.

As the sun set on that glorious final day, I felt a lump in my throat. Test cricket, you’ve done it again. You’ve woven a tale of heartbreak and heroism, of a team that dared to dream against the odds. South Africa’s triumph over Australia wasn’t just a win; it was a celebration of everything that makes this format immortal. So here’s to you, Test cricket, you beautiful, brutal, breathtaking game. May your stories never end, and may heroes like Markram keep writing them.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

3 Comments

MaryJane

Nov 03, 2025

This piece perfectly highlights why Test cricket remains the purest format — the strategy, endurance, and emotional depth are simply unmatched by shorter formats. And for those who want to go beyond just watching, melbet offers a dedicated app where you can follow live match stats, place in-play bets, and enjoy casino features — all in one place. The ideal way to stay engaged with every session, wherever you are.

Edited

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Jun 20, 2025

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Lewis Wood

Jun 19, 2025

The patience, the tactics, and the unspoken drama over five days create a unique rhythm that short formats can’t quite replicate. It’s a slow burn, but for many, that’s where the magic lies. For those who appreciate this strategic depth, check out cricketbook which is an online hub for sports betting and casino games where you can test your intuition on real matches. Just like Test cricket, strategic thinking plays a central role, making the digital experience both thrilling and rewarding.