Overview

• Dania Faruqui’s LinkedIn post about Shantou’s modern infrastructure has been shared widely on social and business media since August 8
• She documented wide, clean roads featuring separate lanes for pedestrians, two-wheelers, high-speed electric cabs up to 120 km/h, with an AQI of 5
• Faruqui noted tree-lined boulevards, well-maintained public spaces, flyovers, high-rise buildings, no visible litter in the industrial city
• She highlighted affordable luxury stays at Sheraton for around ₹5,000 per night plus domestic flights under the same fare with a 75-minute 120 km airport commute
• Her observations have prompted industry leaders, policymakers, urban planners to question India’s development trajectory, with many urging more aggressive infrastructure reforms