As the world reflected on Mother’s Day yesterday, a day associated with care, protection, and the countless invisible acts that make everyday life smoother for those we love, perhaps that is also the question Mumbai must ask itself today: can a city be governed with the same instinct of care that defines motherhood?

The appointment of Ashwini Bhide as the first woman municipal commissioner of the BMC naturally carries symbolic importance. But beyond symbolism lies a deeper civic expectation. Can Mumbai’s governance become not only more ambitious but also more compassionate toward the daily realities of ordinary citizens?

Cities are usually judged by their skyline changing projects. Coastal roads, metro lines, flyovers, and tunnels dominate public discourse because they are visible, measurable, and politically significant. Mumbai unquestionably needs these investments.

Yet, every large infrastructure project comes with disruption before relief finally arrives. Roads are dug up. Dust rises. Traffic is diverted. Commutes worsen. Citizens tolerate these hardships because they hope the long-term gains will justify the pain. And often, they do. The Coastal Road has brought meaningful relief to thousands of commuters. Metro will transform mobility across the city. But infrastructure alone cannot solve every urban problem. In many places, congestion has merely shifted from one stretch to another. A faster corridor often ends in a chaotic bottleneck beyond it.

More importantly, mega projects operate on long timelines. Mumbai does not just need infrastructure upgrades today; it needs........

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