In the second episode of How Cities Move, we dive into the rhythms of the Indian Silicon Valley — from crowded BMTC buses to the expanding metro and the iconic Namma Yatri autos. We unpack what works, what doesn’t, and what the future of commuting in Bengaluru looks like with the sudden growth of travel tech to navigate through the mad traffic in the city.

Tune in as we explore the stories, systems, and struggles that keep the city on the move.

Every winter, the Yamuna turns white — not with snow, but with toxic foam.

In November, the froth returned yet again near Kalindi Kunj and the Okhla barrage, just weeks after Chhath Puja, reviving an uncomfortable question: why does India’s most worshipped river still look like this despite decades of clean-up efforts and crores of public money spent?

In this episode of Mission Planet A, host Rupa unpacks The Great Yamuna Lie. From untreated sewage and industrial discharge to detergent-laden wastewater and riverbed pollution, we trace the real reasons behind the recurring froth. Using pollution data, ground reports, and health insights, the episode explains why just 22 kilometres of the Yamuna flowing through Delhi accounts for nearly three-fourths of the river’s pollution.

We also look at the human cost — skin infections, respiratory distress, and long-term health risks faced by communities and devotees who continue to enter the river — and examine why repeated clean-up announcements fail to translate into real change on the ground.

This is not a story of sudden pollution.

It’s a story of systemic failure, misplaced priorities, and accountability delayed.

India’s big push toward cleaner mobility arrived with E20 petrol — a blend that promises lower emissions and a greener future. But soon after the rollout, complaints poured in: reduced mileage, engine compatibility issues, and even a PIL challenging the switch. So what’s really going on?

In this episode, we break down the science, policy, and politics behind E20. We explore why the government is pushing ethanol, what critics are warning about, and whether this fuel is actually sustainable for India — environmentally, economically, and for vehicle owners.

From sugarcane farming to emissions claims, from mileage concerns to long-term climate goals, we decode the full story behind E20 so you can decide: is this the future of fuel or just another overstated transition?