Despite Mumbaikars’ we-are-fazed-by-nothing standards, Monday’s deluge sank the city, and citizens have just about emerged from the crisis, gasping for breath.

This paper featured a transport analyst highlighting why we still need to infuse new life into a flailing transport provider like the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), hailing its buses as knights in shining red armour when crises like monsoon flooding or the pandemic hit.

During previous monsoon seasons, trains would stall as tracks would get flooded. Cabbies would refuse to ply or charge fares that not only burned a hole in the pocket but set the entire pocket and garment afire. The Metro was non-existent. At that time, Mumbaikars clambered onto the old trusty bus and made their way home, many hours later than usual, but in one piece.