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Mumbai, India |
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Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet achingly poor,
Mumbai is India in microcosm.
Today it's a teeming metropolis, commercial hub of an old civilization seeking to find its place in the New World Order.
Forty percent of India's
taxes come from this city alone, and half of India's
international trade passes through its splendid natural harbour. In fact Mumbai is the very soul of human enterprise. At the
city's Stock Exchange, millionaires and paupers are made overnight, and the sidewalks are crowded with vendors hawking everything
from ballpoint pens to second hand mixies. Everyday, half of Mumbai's population commutes from far-flung suburbs to downtown
offices, banks, factories and mills for a living.
Nearly thirteen million people live here - wealthy industrialists,
flashy film stars, internationally acclaimed artists, workers, teachers and clerks - all existing cheek by jowl in soaring
skyscrapers and sprawling slums. They come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and speak over a dozen tongues adding colour, flavour
and texture to the Great Mumbai Melting Pot.
Formerly known as Mumbai it is the commercial & financial capital city of India. This port city (India's largest and busiest) accounts for a major share of the government's revenue,
and has one of the world's largest harbour. In a recent survey of cities compiled, Mumbai is the fifth most expensive city
in the world. 40% of this island city consists of reclaimed land from the sea. This mega cosmopolitan city is a city of contrasts.
The deceptively calm sea, its beaches and fishing boats, give lie to a city, which is bursting at its seams with population,
pollution and space. Over 60% of air pollution is due to the 7 lakh vehicles on the roads. Space constraints have given rise
to towering skyscrapers standing majestically next to sprawling slums ( Dharavi -Asia's biggest
slum is here). Haute cuisine besides hawker stalls. World renowned designer labels and brands to exquisite made in India items. People of various caste, culture, and religion
inhabit the city, and due to this diversification the customs, languages, and even the food is of infinite variety. The language
spoken here is Hindi & Hinglish which is street speak and slang a mixture of Hindi & English. The official state language
though is Marathi. The city is multi religious, multi cultural, multilingual.
HOW TO GET THERE & IN AND AROUND.
BUSES:
Introduced way back in 1926 the red double-decker and single buses are operated by Bombay Electric Supply and Transport
(BEST) and cover the entire length and breadth of the city. Maneuvering through Mumbai's narrow and congested roads they are
today one of the most vital lifelines of the city. Minimum fare payable is Rs.2/- and the maximum is Rs.12/50. With a fleet
of 3600, and about 5 million people using it daily, operating on over 400 routes covering 6 lakh kilometers the BEST is the
largest municipalized transport system in India.
Recently new "City buses" have been added. This new addition is 40 seater and air conditioned with driver control doors similar
to the ones operating in major European countries.
TRAINS : The trains
carry millions of commuters each day from south of the city to the extreme north and beyond the city limits. One line starts
from CST (Central Railways) running up to eastside as far as Thane. The other line (Western Railways) starts from Church gate
and goes up to Vasai. Trains leave every few minutes. Minimum fare is Rs.5.00/-
TAXIS: The city has a huge fleet of black and yellow top metered taxis. The minimum
fare is Rs.11/- per kilometer. Cool Cabs Blue color air condition taxis, are a recent addition and are few and also available
on phone 613 1111. The minimum fare is Rs.14/-.
AUTOS:
Autos are available only in the suburbs. Minimum fare is Rs.7.50/-.
PRIVATE
TAXIS: Private
Taxis with drivers can be rented from ITDC counter at Government Tourist Office, Sahara
International Airport, or through
any travel agents. Minimum fare Rs.700/- per day.
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