January 14, 2026: Mumbai’s rapidly evolving infrastructure took centre stage as young residents documented the city’s transformation through stories, reels, and posters under Mumbai in Motion, a youth-led social media contest organised in association with the Free Press Journal. The initiative saw more than 10,000 registrations, with participants highlighting landmark projects such as the Metro, Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and neighbourhood-level upgrades that are reshaping everyday mobility.
Held between January 2 and 11, the competition encouraged citizens—particularly the younger generation—to express their connection with Mumbai while showcasing how infrastructure development has eased daily life. The winners were announced at the Free Press House on January 11. YouTuber Yatin Kode won the top prize of Rs 1 lakh, while Rohit Sonkar and Mohit Pamecha were declared joint first runners-up, and influencer Jaideep Kane secured the second runner-up position. Organiser Omkar Barde noted the scale of participation, saying, “The core aim was to make citizens, especially the younger generation, aware of Mumbai’s rapidly evolving infrastructure – be it the Metro, Coastal Road, Atal Setu or local neighbourhood works – that they will use from the very start of their careers.”
Influencer Jaideep Kane highlighted the city’s progress across sectors, from airport expansion to major metro corridors such as Lines 7 and 3. He said, “Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the city continued to push ahead with complex projects, including metro lines and waterways connectivity, reflecting the resilience and determination behind Mumbai’s infrastructure growth.”
Sharing a personal perspective, Akash Bhavsar of Power Train said, “For me, infrastructure change is deeply personal. I come from a lower middleclass background…” He added, “In just the last 10 years, Mumbai’s infrastructure has transformed not just connectivity, but quality of life, comfort and dignity of travel.” Bhavsar further noted, “As urban migration accelerates, this region is preparing itself for the future…”
Infrastructure influencer Satvik Jajoo spoke about rising expectations among youth, stating, “I am a Mumbaikar… the development that is taking place is just the beginning.” From a student’s viewpoint, Rhea Khanholkar said, “Commuting is a part of my daily life…” while influencer Durga Joshi reflected on how improved connectivity has broadened civic awareness among young people.
Highlighting sustainability, Raj Saraf said, “Addressing issues such as illegal encroachments will also bring visible relief to traffic congestion…” adding that metro projects have already cut carbon emissions significantly. As Mumbai in Motion concluded, it underscored how youth voices are increasingly shaping the narrative around Mumbai’s growth and future.
Source: The Free Press Journal
