Maximum Mumbai: On the city, its transportation needs

In response to the tragic Mumbra train accident on June 9, 2025, which claimed four lives, Indian Railways has proposed installing automatic sliding doors with ventilation louvres and inter-coach vestibules in all Mumbai suburban trains by next year. These measures aim to prevent footboard travel, crowding near doors, and dangerous deboarding at unscheduled stops. Inspired by Japanese practices, the plan may also include enforcers at stations to manage boarding.The root problem, however, is severe overcrowding, as Mumbai’s local trains remain the most affordable transport option for millions. Incidents like the 2017 Elphinstone Road stampede and frequent deaths on railway tracks underscore the grave safety concerns. The suburban system, despite being central to Mumbai’s urban life, has seen minimal upgrades.The piece criticizes the city’s skewed transportation development, which prioritised roads and private vehicles over public transit. While the Metro offers some relief, it remains costly for lower-income groups. Alternatives like buses and ferries, particularly for short or coastal routes, should be expanded. Ultimately, the passage highlights that Mumbai’s transport woes are symptomatic of India’s broader unpreparedness in managing rapid urbanisation and the socio-economic shift away from agriculture.

Polarised Poland: On politics, the Presidential election results

In 2023, Donald Tusk’s centrist coalition ended the eight-year rule of Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS), pledging progressive reforms. However, by 2025, with limited progress and growing opposition, Polish voters elected Karol Nawrocki — a PiS-backed conservative and political outsider — as President, narrowly defeating liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski.Nawrocki, supported by Donald Trump and echoing populist, nationalist rhetoric, capitalised on public discontent and legislative gridlock. Though the presidency is mostly ceremonial, Nawrocki’s power to veto laws and refer them to a PiS-influenced constitutional court could obstruct Tusk’s agenda, as the government lacks the majority to override vetoes.His victory energises Poland’s Eurosceptic right and may reinforce international populist alliances. While Nawrocki is expected to maintain Poland’s Western-aligned foreign policy, he will likely promote socially conservative and economically nationalist policies. His win could deepen internal tensions within Tusk’s diverse coalition, weakening the Prime Minister’s authority and pushing Poland into a period of intense political polarisation and instability.

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