Mumbai Billionaire Takes Local Train to Beat Traffic, Goes Viral

Mumbai: In a rare sight, billionaire businessman Niranjan Hiranandani, the co-founder and managing director of Hiranandani Group, a real estate giant, ditched his luxury car and hopped on a local train to reach his destination in time, avoiding the city’s notorious traffic jams.

Hiranandani, who has a net worth of $1.5 billion as of December 2023, shared a video of his train journey from Mumbai to Ulhasnagar on Instagram, where it quickly garnered millions of views and comments. He captioned the video as “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.”

The video shows the 73-year-old entrepreneur waiting at the platform with other commuters, boarding an air-conditioned coach, and interacting with fellow passengers during the 30-minute ride. He also added a piece of trending background music from the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal Movie to the video, adding to its appeal.

Hiranandani’s decision to take the local train was strategic, as he had to attend an event at CHM College in Ulhasnagar, which would have taken hours by road. By choosing the train, he not only saved time but also got a chance to experience the city’s lifeline, which carries over 7.5 million passengers daily.

Many netizens praised Hiranandani for his humble and down-to-earth gesture, while some joked about his wealth and lifestyle. Some celebrities and social media influencers also commented on his post, expressing their surprise and admiration.

Hiranandani is one of the most prominent and influential businessmen in India, who has built several iconic residential and commercial projects across the country. He is also the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the co-chairman of the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC).