Nepal Floods Expose Kailash Route Risks; Gen Z Politics and Metro Error in Focus

The devastating floods in Nepal have cast a spotlight on the Rasuwa-Rasuwagadhi route, a private gateway to Kailash Mansarovar that has grown increasingly popular among Indian pilgrims. The disaster has turned this corridor into a crisis zone, with families in Hosur and Odisha anxiously awaiting news of travellers who lost contact near an immigration centre just before the flood struck. Actor Ankur Ratan, who was in the region a day earlier, recounted his narrow escape, underscoring the perilous geography of the route, which involves high altitudes and low oxygen.

Back home, the floods have prompted a broader reflection on India's political representation. Data shows that only 384 MPs and MLAs are aged 40 or under, and roughly one in three of these young legislators comes from a political family. This 'Gen D' phenomenon raises questions about the barriers young citizens face in entering elected office and the influence of dynastic politics.

Meanwhile, a Rs 250-crore elevated section of Mumbai Metro 7A may face demolition due to a construction error, raising concerns about planning and oversight in major public infrastructure projects. The episode highlights the significant financial and operational costs of rectifying mistakes in such ventures.

In other developments, the BJP is confronting internal disquiet and a growing disconnect with younger voters ahead of the next polls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has cautioned the government against pushing through major decisions, such as those related to delimitation, without wider consultation. The Maharashtra government has also given non-Marathi auto and taxi drivers a year to learn the language, softening its earlier stance after protests.