top of page

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.

Victory Day: Russia’s Show of Strength and Strategy

On 9 May 2025, Russia marked Victory Day, commemorating 80 years since the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany. Leaders and dignitaries from 29 countries attended, highlighting its continued global significance.

For Russia, Victory Day is a demonstration of national strength and geopolitical assertion and serves as a reminder of its decisive role in reshaping the global order post-1945. The Soviet military’s victories contributed to the division of Europe, the establishment of NATO, and the genesis of the Cold War.


The first Victory Day was observed in 1945, following the Soviet Union’s declaration of triumph over Nazi Germany. Only in 1965, the 20th anniversary, did it become an official public holiday in the Soviet Union. Under Soviet governance, Victory Day was celebrated with military parades, grand public speeches, and remembrance of the millions who perished during the Great Patriotic War, as it was referred to in Russia.


The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a temporary decline in these celebrations, reflecting the nation’s broader struggle with identity and economic instability. However, under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, the tradition was revitalised and expanded, emphasising military pride, state strength, and historical continuity.


Victory Day also became a cornerstone of Soviet-era propaganda and education, with textbooks, films, and political narratives highlighting Soviet heroism and unity against fascist aggression.


On this day, Moscow’s Red Square is witness to a military parade with tanks, missile launchers, and troops marching in synchronised formations. Regional parades mirror this spectacle across the nation.


Citizens march carrying portraits of relatives who fought during the war. This movement, which is known as The Immortal Regiment, began in 2012 and has grown into a nationwide event. Victory Day concludes with grand fireworks displays and state-sponsored concerts.


Russian media and educational institutions for Victory include documentaries, historical retrospectives, and veterans’ interviews, aimed at preserving the memory of the war for future generations.


Political Significance

Under Putin’s governance, the event has become a means to project Russian strength and challenge Western narratives about the global order. It also serves as a reminder of Russia’s historical contributions to global stability and its opposition to perceived Western encroachment.


Domestically, Victory Day unites the populace under a banner of patriotism and collective memory, reinforcing state authority and national pride. Internationally, it serves as a statement of military readiness and geopolitical influence, particularly amidst rising tensions with NATO and Western governments.


Geopolitical and Strategic Messages

The elaborate military displays on Victory Day are intended not just for domestic celebration but as a demonstration to the global community. Advanced military technologies, strategic missiles, and armoured divisions are paraded to signal Russian strength and deter potential adversaries. Diplomatic attendance—or the conspicuous absence—further serves as a barometer of global political alignments.


Opposition and Criticism

Domestically, critics argue that the event promotes militarism and state propaganda. Some liberal factions accuse the government of exploiting historical memory to bolster political legitimacy and suppress dissent. However, public criticism is limited due to strict censorship and legal penalties for dissenting views.


Internationally, Victory Day is often viewed as a display of aggressive nationalism. Western critics accuse Russia of historical revisionism, particularly regarding Soviet actions in Eastern Europe. Countries like Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states particularly condemn Russia’s narrative for ignoring Soviet occupations and using the legacy of World War II to justify modern aggression in Eastern Europe.


Victory Day 2025: A Reflection of Current Tensions

The 80th anniversary of Victory Day in 2025 carried significant geopolitical weight, shaped by ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In the days leading up to the celebrations, Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks targeting Moscow, disrupting air traffic and heightening security concerns in the capital. Russian authorities reported intercepting multiple drones, yet the attacks underscored the vulnerability of Moscow’s airspace amid escalating conflict.


Further intensifying the geopolitical landscape, President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 11 as a gesture of restraint during the Victory Day period. However, Ukraine dismissed the ceasefire as mere theatrics, accusing Russia of continuing military operations despite the declaration. This symbolic ceasefire, largely ignored by Kyiv, highlighted the widening chasm between the two nations and the futility of diplomatic overtures amid ongoing hostilities.


European countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia denied airspace access to certain foreign leaders heading to Moscow for the event, as part of a wider European stance against Russia’s continued military actions in Ukraine.


The event underscored Russia’s historical narrative and modern ambitions, using displays to project resilience and deter the West. Victory Day remains central to national identity—a show of strength and symbolism as Russia navigates a shifting global order.


(The author is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page