India’s bridges need more accountability
A bridge at Nanda ki Chowki in Dehradun which was opened to traffic on July 12 collapsed on July 28. Due to heavy rainfall a large section of the approach road to the bridge collapsed. A crater disconnected the bridge from the Dehradun-Paonta Sahib highway. An investigation has been announced assuring that responsibilities would be fixed; and later some scapegoats will be suspended. The contractor may or may not be blacklisted. The same company would return in a different avatar and everything would be back to chalta hai. Who cares that Rs 16 crore literally got washed off in 16 days. Fortunately, people were not killed/injured nor vehicles lost/damaged. In Bihar, in the last five years, 25 recently built concrete bridges collapsed; some during construction and one on the day of inauguration. In early May 2026, the Rs 800 crore, 4.7 km long Vikramshila Setu fell in the Ganges River in North Bihar. After paper cows in the past, we may have paper bridges in the future! The frequent formation of potholes in the Atal Setu (third Mandovi Bridge, Goa) was ascribed to the saline atmosphere! As if this is the only bridge that is built in such an environment. Even footpaths with interlocking tiles are ill-constructed, as in the Smart City of Panaji. Annually, India spends more than Rs 12 lakh crore on infrastructures, undoubtedly these are important. But the works seem to be carried out at a frenzy pace and without proper design, planning, and good quality materials and with an absence of or minimum supervision. There needs to be accountability during construction and fixing of responsibilities in case of eventualities.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
FIFA backs down
FIFA’s decision to scrap its proposed private investment plan following fierce backlash from officials worldwide is a necessary correction of a misguided strategy. By abandoning the attempt to sell stakes in its competitions to private equity, the organisation has avoided a trajectory that would have prioritised corporate profit over the integrity of the sport. The episode nevertheless leaves lasting questions about FIFA’s leadership. This reversal serves as a potent example of how collective resistance can check the impulses of a global monopoly. The ability of organisations like UEFA to take a stand against FIFA demonstrates that the concentration of power is not inevitable. When stakeholders align to reject a flawed model, they prove that there is a viable way to resist the predatory nature of private equity. The World Cup is more than a commercial property, built over generations through the passion of players, supporters, and national associations. While commercial innovation is necessary, it cannot come at the cost of transparency, or the game’s soul. FIFA’s retreat is a reminder that football’s greatest tournament belongs to the global football community and not to private investors.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Punching towards glory
Indian boxers delivered a spectacular performance at the Commonwealth Games boxing competition, winning seven gold and three silver medals to emerge as the most successful boxing contingent among all participating nations. In the women’s events, Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Priya Ghanghas (60kg) each struck gold with commanding performances. In the men’s competition, Sachin Siwach (60kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg) added to India’s golden haul by clinching titles in their respective weight categories. Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Jadumani Singh (55kg) and Narendra Berwal (90kg) secured silver medals, taking India’s overall tally to an impressive 10 medals from the 14 boxers who represented the country. This outstanding achievement marks India’s finest-ever performance in Commonwealth Games boxing, underlining the nation’s growing strength and depth in the sport. Congratulations to all the medal winners, their coaches, support staff and the entire Indian boxing contingent for this remarkable accomplishment.
Elvidio Miranda, Panaji
Power without scrutiny
Recently, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the Prime Minister’s office carries a “sanctity” and that his choice of the Chief Election Commissioner or election commissioners cannot be questioned. Therefore, it argued, the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel cannot be considered flawed. This reasoning appears to place a qualifier on the widely accepted democratic principles of separation of powers and avoidance of conflicts of interest. The qualifier implies that no conflict can arise where the interests of a person occupying a sacred office are concerned, one deemed so inviolable that no democratic principle or practice can challenge it. Such a sacred office may suit a monarch or dictator, but not a prime minister in a democracy.
Sujit De, Kolkata
