If the essence of democracy and a plural society is diversity, then the transport system in Kolkata wins easily. If there is a prize for anarchic expansion in which a hundred flowers are allowed to bloom in a lax regulatory environment, then too the city wins hands down. In public we all like to put our best foot forward, put on a better shirt even if we are to go out to the neighbourhood shop for a little something. But when it comes to public transport, or for that matter, appearances in general, the city couldn’t care less.

<p><table width='100%' border=0 cellspacing=0><tr><td style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 18px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #0253B7;'><B>Subir Roy:</B> An affordable ride</td></tr><tr><tr><td style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11px; '>Kolkata

Subir Roy: An affordable ride

Kolkatas buses and auto-rickshaws are not pretty but they serve the purpose

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