EP-332 | Floods, Traffic, Garbage: Why Indian Cities Are Collapsing | Suhel Seth & Omesh Saigal

EP-332 | Floods, Traffic, Garbage: Why Indian Cities Are Collapsing | Suhel Seth & Omesh Saigal

Author: Asian News International (ANI) August 4, 2025 Duration: 1:04:00

Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, columnist, and television pundit who can speak without pause on almost any topic. Omesh Saigal is an IITian who joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1964. He has served at every level of governance, from Block Development Officer to Chief Secretary of Delhi and Secretary in the Central Government.


In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the real reasons behind the crumbling infrastructure in Indian cities. Floods, traffic, garbage, and pollution have become the new normal. India’s crown jewels, Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, face these issues year after year.


What needs to change? And how do images of waterlogged roads and piles of garbage harm the 'Brand India' image?


00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Urban Apathy

08:16 – Lack of Urban Planning

16:17 – Bureaucracy & Urban Planning Gaps

20:44 – Media Coverage of Urban Issues

22:18 – Tech Impact on City Planning

25:19 – Infrastructure Gap in Metro Cities

26:49 – Bangalore’s Traffic Problem

30:20 – Environmental Damage in Hill Stations

33:44 – Influx of Migrants into Cities

35:54 – Community Action on Urban Problems

40:42 – Stray Dog Attacks

47:03 – Problem with RWAs

48:35 – Who’s Accountable for Urban Decay?

51:43 – Rahul & Trump’s Economy Jab

58:50 – New Wave of Emigration

1:02:47 – Stray Dog Care and Colony Policies


Conversations that shape our world often happen behind closed doors or in the quiet moments after the headlines fade. ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash pulls up a chair to those discussions, offering a direct line to the minds of influential figures. Hosted by veteran journalist Smita Prakash, this series moves beyond the soundbite, creating a space where politicians, athletes, artists, and thinkers can explore the nuances of the issues that define contemporary India and global affairs. The dialogue here is driven by curiosity and a commitment to depth, allowing guests to elaborate on their perspectives, their decisions, and the personal experiences that inform their public lives. You will hear candid reflections on current events, policy debates, and cultural shifts, all through the lens of those at the center of the story. Produced by Asian News International, the podcast leverages a legacy of journalistic access and integrity, ensuring every conversation is both insightful and substantive. It’s more than an interview; it’s an opportunity to understand the motivations and narratives driving today’s news. For anyone looking to move past the surface and engage with the substance of politics, society, and human endeavor, this podcast provides a consistently thoughtful and compelling listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Podcast Episodes