An Indian Army veteran in Chicago has sparked a discussion on urban planning and civic preparedness after comparing the American city’s response to extreme weather with cities such as Gurgaon and Delhi.
(Also read: ‘What a wonderful start’: Indian Army veteran praises Chicago’s cycling lanes and fitness spaces)
Taking to Instagram, Yashpal Singh Mor posted a clip from Chicago after a storm and heavy rain, highlighting how the city continued to function smoothly despite the weather conditions. In the video, he said, “Man, it's 8:00 at night. Just look at the weather. There was a storm here today, followed by heavy rain. And neither did the power go out, nor did the internet go down. Water didn't accumulate anywhere, nor did any footpath break. If any trees fell, I don't know, they must have cleared them up. And traffic is moving just like this, no traffic jams at all.”
He further remarked, “What are these people even doing? In their life, adventure just means they went cycling, they went running, they went to the gym, they did an Ironman, or they went swimming. What is this? Don't they have a life? I'm telling you, look at this, the traffic is just moving smoothly...”
Post questions Indian cities’ preparedness
{{/usCountry}}He further remarked, “What are these people even doing? In their life, adventure just means they went cycling, they went running, they went to the gym, they did an Ironman, or they went swimming. What is this? Don't they have a life? I'm telling you, look at this, the traffic is just moving smoothly...”
Post questions Indian cities’ preparedness
{{/usCountry}}The clip was shared with a caption that read, “What can we learn from Chicago's remarkable resilience during extreme weather, where heavy rains and strong winds didn't disrupt traffic, cause road jams, or compromise safety, and how can cities like Gurgaon and Delhi harness similar strengths? What are the key challenges to creating thriving, well-planned urban spaces in India, and which city is poised to set a new standard?”
Watch the clip here:
Social media reacts
The clip drew several reactions from users, many of whom agreed with the larger point about civic systems. One user wrote, “This is exactly what basic infrastructure should look like, not something extraordinary.” Another said, “In India, even 30 minutes of rain is enough to expose the whole system.”
A third user commented, “Gurgaon and Delhi need long-term planning, not temporary fixes before every monsoon.” Another wrote, “The problem is not rain, the problem is poor drainage and lack of accountability.” A fifth user said, “People pay taxes everywhere, but the difference is visible in how cities are managed.” Another added, “Indian cities have talent and money, but urban planning still remains weak.” One more user remarked, “This should be shown to every civic body before the monsoon.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)