From exposing the 1992 stock market manipulation scam carried by charlatan Harshad Mehta and Co. or the recent comments on CBIL holding data, senior financial journalist Sucheta Dalal prefers being blunt.
The Endless Traffic In Mumbai
Dalal, a senior figure in the field of business and financial journalism who is known for activity on the microblogging platform X, opined on the state of public infrastructure in Mumbai on her account.
Dalal was reacting to another post of an X user, who shared the tale of never traffic in metro cities. In their post, the user shared a photograph of a traffic-ridden road in the city of Mumbai.
The photograph also carried a caption, which read, "Metro3 hasn't been of much help. Perhaps we will have to wait for Metro4."
Here, Metro 3 or Aqua Line, is Mumbai's first underground rapid transit line. The line runs from Aarey in Northern Mumbai to Cuffe Parade in the South of Mumbai or 'Sobo'. Currently, only half of this line is functional, with rest under construction.
Metro 4, on the other hand, is another line that runs from Wadala in Eastern Mumbai to Kasarvadavli in Thane City. This line is currently entirely under construction.
'Roads For A Few Cars?'
Coming to Sucheta Dalal's response, the senior scribe quoted the above post and said, "Don't worry the newly sworn-in CM @Dev_Fadnavis has announced a focus on public transportation."
The Padma Award recipient further harped on the need for better facilities and changing priorities. She added, " It is up to us the people, to impress upon him that revdi for public transport, by reviving buses, will be far better for air quality and health of Mumbaikars and the state of our roads, than a few more coastal roads that are ONLY for cars!"
Need Facility For Voting Citizens
Dalal focused on the need to resurrect and strengthen the existing bus service under BEST and aid the undertaking. This could also facilitate last-mile connectivity. She also highlighted the need to lay emphasis on systems like Hop on Hop off (HoHo) services.
Sucheta Dalal also added, " We need them the most for VOTING class citizens! Most of those using Coastal Road don't vote -- but hey, the kickbacks are probably great!."
The BEST bus service has been embroiled in a controversy of its own, as the undertaking has transitioned a significant number of fleet ownership.
It currently provides services using vehicles on wet leases owned by contractors. Some have raised their concerns against this, as many contractors have dropped the service due to lack of profitability.
