u/VarunKarnik

Source:
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/what-happened-to-mumbai-s-famous-red-chicken-lollipops-viral-video-after-fda-crackdown-has-people-talking-13997730.html/amp

One of my lifelong dreams is to make Nitin Gadkariji my pillion rider and take him along my daily office route Thane to Mumbai.

I know what he’ll probably say: “This is the responsibility of the local body.” Fair enough. But if the local and state authorities have failed to provide decent roads for over 15 years, who exactly are we supposed to hold accountable for the country’s road infrastructure?

If I ever get the chance, I would love to take him through every pothole on my route so he can experience the daily adventure that millions of Mumbaikars endure every day.

Yesterday, I hit a pothole on the Eastern Express Highway. It damaged my bike, and I ended up paying ₹4,100 for repairs. Fortunately, I managed to keep my balance and avoided an accident. Next time, someone else may not be as lucky.
The government often talks about world-class infrastructure and rapid development. That’s great—but before we dream of becoming a global superpower, can we at least have roads that don’t feel like an off-road rally?

Mumbai’s potholes aren’t just an inconvenience anymore they’re a daily safety hazard.
Dear authorities, please stop celebrating roads on PowerPoint presentations. We’d really appreciate roads we can actually ride on.

P.S. If this ride ever happens, I promise not to charge for the “Thane to Worli Adventure Tour.” The potholes provide enough thrills for free.

A friend shared this accident video with me while we were discussing which car to buy. He had recently bought a Mahindra BE 6, and within a few days, he was involved in an accident with a Hyundai i20 (I don't know who was at fault).

What surprised me was the damage. The BE 6 barely had a scratch, while the i20 was heavily damaged.

His mother took full credit for the purchase and said, "Tujhe Creta ya Windsor chahiye thi, par mujhe toh yehi car pasand aa gayi colour dekhe. Dekh, kitna kharcha bach gaya!" 😄

Jokes apart, this made me wonder how much vehicle quality and structural safety really matter. Is there a robust inspection and safety assessment process for vehicles in India? It's surprising to see one car walk away with barely a scratch while the other sustains major damage. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[OC]

Mumbai’s infrastructure is developing at lightning speed… at least that’s what we’re told.
I’ve been travelling from Thane to Worli for over 15 years. Ironically, despite all the “development,” my travel time has only gone up. A route that takes 40–45 minutes on weekends or public holidays now comfortably takes 1.5–2 hours on a regular weekday. Progress, I guess.
We happily pay road tax while buying a vehicle, but smooth roads still seem to be a luxury. Potholes, uneven patches, and endless diversions have become permanent landmarks.
So here’s a genuine question: Are we witnessing development, or are we simply getting better at managing congestion? Because if spending more time in traffic is the new definition of progress, Mumbai is definitely leading the way.

A Frustrated Commuter