Actor and producer Richa Chadha has urged authorities to improve Mumbai’s road conditions and strengthen public transport, highlighting the need for better bus connectivity and increased railway capacity. In an exclusive interview with Zoom, she stressed that residents deserve safer roads and more reliable commuting options, revealing that she continues to use public transport to travel across the city.
Chadha first visited Mumbai at the age of 16 for a theatre performance, where she was cast as an extra. She eventually moved from Delhi to Mumbai, partly attracted by the freedom women have to move around independently. Her recent YouTube series, Musafiri, reflects her connection with the city.
However, she believes Mumbai’s infrastructure requires urgent attention. Speaking about the condition of its roads, she said, “I really want the road quality to improve. Mumbaikars deserve better because national tax revenue, central excise revenue, income tax and so much comes from the city. Itna tolerance bhi nahi hona chahiye. Things are falling on your head, and roads are full of potholes.”
The actor also called for expanding the city’s public transport network, including increasing the number of BEST buses and improving their connectivity. Referring to transport systems in London and Amsterdam, she advocated affordable, accessible services for everyday commuters.
“A.C. buses should be there for common people working in the city and definitely increase the train capacity, because it’s very unsafe; so many people die every day. Life should not be so cheap. People come here for their earnings and to make the city prosperous. We deserve to care for them,” she said.
Chadha added that dependable, punctual and subsidised public transport could ease road congestion while supporting economic activity.
Despite her celebrity status, she continues to travel by trains, buses, the metro and autorickshaws. She described taking an autorickshaw to a metro station before being picked up near Powai for shoots, and recently travelling by train from VT.
She urged authorities to expand BEST services and introduce passenger incentives to encourage public transport use and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
Source: Times Now
