Billionaire business tycoon Niranjan Hiranandani ditches cars to 'save time & beat traffic,' travels in Mumbai local train

In a surprising move, billionaire businessman Niranjan Hiranandani, the co-founder and managing director of the Hiranandani Group, recently opted for a Mumbai local train to beat the city's notorious traffic and save time.

The 73-year-old real estate magnate shared his insightful journey from Mumbai to Ulhasnagar in an AC coach through a video on Instagram, which quickly went viral, accumulating over 37 million views and more than four lakh likes.

In the video, Hiranandani can be seen waiting at the platform alongside other passengers, boarding the AC coach with a few members of his team, and engaging with fellow commuters during the 30-minute ride.


His decision to use public transport garnered mixed reactions from the online community, with some praising his down-to-earth approach, while others questioned his choice of the AC coach over the regular local.

Hiranandani explained his strategic decision, stating, "Saving time and beating traffic with the city's lifeline, a journey from Mumbai to Ulhasnagar in an AC coach was an insightful personal experience."

He also added a touch of pop culture by including the viral theme song from the recently released 'Animal' movie in the video.



While many commended the billionaire for his unconventional choice of commute, with one user writing, "This is nice. More industry leaders should use public transport; that will encourage the government to provide better services to people," some critics pointed out that he had boarded the handicapped coach, reserved for individuals with physical disabilities, pregnant women, and cancer patients.

This observation sparked discussions about the importance of adhering to coach-specific reservations. A user wrote, "I appreciate you teaching people to use more of public transportation. I also request you to set an example by not taking a coach that is reserved for people with disabilities if you do not have disabilities.
In case you do, please ignore my comment."

Despite the mixed reactions, Hiranandani's decision to travel via Mumbai's local train highlights the practical challenges faced by even the wealthiest individuals in navigating the city's traffic congestion.

The video not only offers a glimpse into the daily struggles of Mumbaikars but also emphasises the need for improved public transportation and infrastructure development.