India's world-class airports and the first-impression challenge facing its cities

Many Indian cities struggle to impress travellers from the air, often revealing informal settlements and pollution, unlike the orderly, greener landscapes of Singapore, Bangkok, or Colombo. This stark contrast stems from rapid urbanisation, immense population density, and governance challenges, despite India's economic growth. While infrastructure is improving, the sheer scale of the problem presents a significant hurdle.

By BIJU MATHEW