There has been a surprisingly muted response to the government’s latest plan for transport, which worries me because it makes me feel as if there is a lack of faith whenever promises about seamless travel are made. I thought there would be dancing in the streets, given that the project was announced barely a week after passengers fell from an overcrowded train and died. Then again, maybe it’s just a case of everyone hearing it all before.

For those who didn’t notice the announcement in question, a Task Force was announced to integrate all public transport in Mumbai and provide a seamless, single-ticket experience. Apparently, NITI Aayog — that globally recognised body responsible for some of the world’s most astonishing projects that many have never heard of — has proposed a concept for developing urban areas. These are to be referred to as G-Hubs (because ‘growth hubs’ doesn’t sound as complicated) and will be where ‘economic growth strategies’ are to be implemented. These G-Hubs will then be replicated across the country, eventually transforming India into one massive G-Hub that everyone will presumably look upon in envy.

Now I don’t know about you, dear reader, but it all sounds very thorough and realistic to me. Having said that, it also reminds me of a more ambitious plan rolled out a decade or so ago, where cities would be selected as drivers of growth, and turned into sustainable, inclusive, futuristic sites built on intelligence and innovation. I can’t remember what the project was called, but I don’t think NITI Aayog had anything to do with it, or we would have seen results by now. That amazing project was officially shut down earlier this year, after failing to make any noticeable impact on the ground.