From left to right: Jeremy Cooney, Covid Saxena and Bhairavi Desai, leaders of Indian origin featured in the New York Transportation Power List
A new Power List highlighting the key figures shaping the future of New York’s transportation and mobility sector has brought several Indian-origin leaders into the spotlight. The 2026 Transportation Leaders list, published by City & State, honors influential voices leading policy, infrastructure and advocacy across the state.
They include three specialists of Indian origin whose work includes grassroots activism, legislative reform and large-scale engineering projects. Their inclusion reflects not only their individual influence, but also the growing presence of the Indian diaspora in shaping one of the world’s most complex urban transportation systems.
Leaders of Indian origin make up New York’s transit powerhouse
Bhairavi Desai: Defending the rights of taxi workers
Bhairavi Desai has long been a prominent voice for for-hire drivers in New York City.
As co-founder and executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, she represents thousands of drivers and has spent decades campaigning for fair wages and fair working conditions.Her advocacy has received particular attention in recent years through efforts to address taxi medallion debt and provide stronger protections for drivers. A major legislative win came when the New York City Council overrode Eric Adams’ veto to pass a bill preventing drivers from being deactivated without due process.
Desai also worked closely with Zahran Mamdani on labor issues, including high-profile protests and hunger strikes.
Jeremy Cooney: Shaping statewide transportation policy
Jeremy Cooney, originally from Kolkata, plays a key role in shaping transport policy as Chairman of the Senate Transport Committee. His work focuses on improving transportation systems, expanding infrastructure, and supporting long-term mobility planning.Among his recent accomplishments are securing funding to study high-speed rail, advocating for increased public transportation budgets and pushing for expanded investment in road maintenance.
Cooney has also introduced legislation to expand commuter benefits, including support for cycling and ride-hailing services, while emerging as a strong supporter of the development of autonomous vehicles.
Covid Saxena: Leading large scale infrastructure projects
Kovid Saxena represents the engineering and infrastructure side of the list. As a senior executive at Arcadis, he has been involved in numerous high-impact projects throughout the New York metropolitan area.His portfolio includes work on the Second Avenue Subway (Phase 2) and the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel, both critical to the region’s long-term transit capacity.
Saxena has also contributed to initiatives such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, modernization of major bridges and road safety improvements, underscoring his impact on current and future mobility systems.The inclusion of these leaders highlights the diverse ways in which Indian-origin professionals are shaping New York’s transportation ecosystem. From grassroots advocacy and policy making to engineering and infrastructure delivery, their contributions extend to every level of the system.
