Chaotic traffic on Link Road.
The one thing that could make me leave Mumbai is the pollution. Noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution — you name it, everything’s polluted!
Unfortunately, we had to go to Bandra and back home to Kandivali last night. The return leg of the journey took over one and a half hours — to travel around 15 kilometers! It was a nightmare.
I was on the back of the bike. By the time we got home, my throat was sore, my ears were ringing from the incessant honking, and my hair and face covered in dirt. Halfway home I felt like leaping off the bike and getting on the nearest train, which really says something.
One guy on a pushbike in the middle of all that traffic amazed me though. He was so nimble and quick, ducking and weaving with an amazing amount of skill. The cars and even motorbikes had no hope of keeping up with him.
I seriously don’t know how people travel like that every day though. How must they feel? Or are they just used to it. I just can’t do it. It leaves me feeling agitated and depleted. I had to have a chamomile tea to calm myself down, then go straight to bed. Even then, I couldn’t sleep properly.
Apparently, Mumbai is the most densely populated city in the world. It has 29,650 people per square kilometre. The growth in Mumbai’s population isn’t expected to slow down either. Infact, it’s expected to increase from 20 million, to almost 30 million by 2020. That’s 10 million people in 10 years! I’m really concerned about the impact it will have on the city.
Where will everyone fit? And how will the city’s already insufficient infrastructure cope?
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
i have the good luck of getting stuck in Kolkata twice….huge traffic jams…havent stayed much in Mumbai though… the story is same in most big cities these days…..bangalore, hyderabad etc….pollution levels are on rise everywhere……just wait for the Nano to come..then watch the blitz………….want peace?…try kerala……however after some time , people miss the chaos
Hi Monty! It’s a no-win situation really. I spent 8 months in Kerala (in Varkala) and although it was so peaceful, I had other problems — the people are much more closed minded than in a big city (they’re even really prejudged against Indians from other states, and don’t like Hindi speakers), there was more staring, and shopping for groceries was more difficult as many items were hard to find. Funny thing is, I do miss the chaos. I go home to Australia and the streets are so boring — nothing interesting happens there at all, not like Mumbai where everyday I see something new! So I guess the important thing to keep in mind is that nowhere is perfect….
Dear Sharell,
I have been reading your blog for quite some time and am highly impressed by your simplicity and adjusting nature. I wish you and your husband a happy married life and all the best in your future endeavours.
New Delhi and it’s sattelite towns are less congested than Mumbai and it’s suburbs. There are many new townships in the NCR(national capital region)
which offer excellent living standards(compared to an indian perspective). The region is undergoing massive development and change in infrastructure owing to the 2010 commonwealth games. By 2010 we would be having air conditioned public transport(Delhi Metro and air conditioned buses) in most parts of the NCR. Delhi is a city known for its vibrant culture, warm and hospitable people,punjabi and mughlai food.
Delhi is also one of the important tourist hotspots of India(Golden triangle comprising of Delhi,Agra and Jaipur). The beautiful himalayan resorts like simla,nainital,mussorie,manali dalhousie,dharamsala are very close to New Delhi. So do spare some time and plan a vacation in Delhi.
Regards,
Shaunak Goswami
Hi Shaunak, welcome and I’m so happy that you’ve been enjoying my blog. Thanks also for your good wishes.
I do like visiting Delhi, especially for the reasons you suggested. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Delhi around four times now, and would still like to see more of it. I really appreciate the fact that Delhi is less congested too! And it would be wonderful to live so close to the mountains. I spent four months in Manali a couple of years back and loved it.
Hi there! I’ve read your blog a few times, but just now saw this particular post —– and, wow, can I relate! I keep thinking that I would like to live in India for a while, with my husband (who was born and raised in Mumbai). But both times I’ve been there, the pollution has just been the absolute hardest thing to deal with … not the culture, shock, no problems with food, nothing… except the pollution. The last time I was there, I was fine in Pune, and, honestly, within 4 hours of driving, and arriving, in Mumbai, I got sick — a throat infection. I was on antibiotics for a week, and the stupid infection kept recurring long after I left India. I don’t know what to do, I don’t think we could ever settle in India because of this ONE problem
Just settle in a less polluted place, like Goa or Pune.
“Can’t beat ‘em? Join ‘em! June 11, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Just settle in a less polluted place, like Goa or Pune.”
Pune is also one of the most polluted places in India.
But Pune is much better than Mumbai as it has cool weather is less crowded and the monsoon here is not as bad as in Mumbai.
I was in Mumbai for 2 yrs and i wanted to get out of Mumbai for many reasons so i changed my job and now I am in Pune and thinking of settling down here.
I’ve never been to Mumbai really, but I get stuck in Delhi traffic everyday of my life and it sucks. It truly sucks, and there is nothing you can do about it except leave all work & stay home. Which is not possible. And in the kind of work I do, I cannot leave New Delhi & re locate elsewhere. Oh well… That’s life… Plus, we really need more Metro trains in Delhi. The ones we have are already too congested.
Sharell,
So happy to have found your wonderful site. I have fallen in love with India. It came on gradually and has hit me really hard in the last few months. The country and the people are so inspiring to me. I love the color and the traditions and the endless mystery of it all. That said, I know there is a practical side to life there. I know there is poverty and deep struggle. But, I find it fascinating to watch India re-imerge on the world stage as the west declines. India still has much of its ancient heritage with all its richness still intact. If only the young Indians knew the hallowness of the western civilization they see in western music videos and movies. I bothers me that they want to emulate that. Anyway, thank you for the diversity of information. It is stunning.
Hi Linda, welcome and I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my blog! It sounds like we share exactly the same sentiments!
The way India’s youth is embracing western culture is quite alarming, and they often take it to extremes too, based on what’s shown in music videos and movies. 
I agree, the air pollution is out of control. This is precisely the reason I try to venture outside at nights after 1am and before 7am, but in recent times there still is visible dust & smog at these hours. It’s absolutely hellish for the lungs & general composure. The only ways to minimize the impact in traffic IMO, is to use a mask if you’re on a bike (however the fumes and dust still cling to your clothes) or avoid any form of transport other than airconditioned car. I live in a suburb with marginally better air quality but I wouldn’t want to live in Mumbai if I had a choice. Locations like Amby Valley or Lonavala (~2 hours drive from Mumbai) are ideal for those of us who have inseparable ties with the city.
I fully agree with the writer. Suburban areas are controlled and manipulated by goondas and influential politicians (there is a thin line of difference between these two categories). Therefore, those who dare to complain will face the worst conssequences not only to himself but to his family also. Residents of 90 ft road, Mulund East have been suffering untold miseries for the past few years. One sky scrapper that is coming up near Hanuman Temple has been making lives of residents most vulnerable. Added to that, illegal roadside auto garages drive us mad with unbearable auto emission and noice created while raising auto engines in the process of repairs. Innumerable complaints to Municipal ward hs not had any effect. God save Mulund East residents.
Sharell,
Where are you planning to move in future? I think all cities in India have similar problems Mumbai has to different extents.
Sharell, “The way India’s youth is embracing western culture is quite alarming, and they often take it to extremes too, based on what’s shown in music videos and movies.”
What you said is true and may proved to be unfortunate in future. While young Indians are constantly reminded by other Indians and westerners that they are adopting western culture, even if they like this criticism or not, they will certainly feel an “alienation”. There is a subtle incomprehensible side to this feeling of alienation most people continue to ignore. Take an example of something we both can understand. From Mahatma to Bin Laden, all the easterners who hated westerners were “highly westernized them selves”. Hmmm…
Hi Amit, I don’t think we’ll move anywhere else in India. I totally agree with you about every city having it’s problems — if it’s not one thing, it’s another thing. I found the humidity in Kolkata almost unbearable. I don’t think I’d feel as safe in Delhi. Then in smaller cities/towns, there’s the problem of lack of facilities. Besides, I’m quite comfortable now in my new living environment, which is less congested.
dear sharell,
i find your remarks enlightening.
i am an indian born new delhi 1932, and now live with my danish retired
teacher wife in a small town on the coast. the church is about 850 years
old, and the sorrounding houses are old but well preserved.
my question- can you get a job in india without a hassle. do you prefer
bland food to the spicey. what do you like about your indian friends.
my experience of danes is ok. have some really good friends,but in general people are not bothered by others than immediate family.
do send me a comment.
lalit bagai
Hi Lalit, thanks for commenting.
I envy you living on the coast. That is my dream one day! In answer to your questions, I’ve never looked for a job in India. I have a contract with an American company, and I work from home (I write and manage an India travel website for the company http://goindia.about.com/). I have however had offers of all kinds of work while in India, so I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult. I eat spicy food all the time now. Chilli goes in everything that I cook, including pasta. 
However, I cook 90% Indian food. I’m not a fan of Indian breakfasts though…. spicy food for breakfast is not appealing. I like my breakfast bland. As for my Indian friends, I like them because they’re fun, intelligent, and caring. I think friendships in India are more intimate than at home… friends are very relaxed with each other, yet go out of their way for each other a lot. I feel that I can rely on friends here. They’re really helpful in times of need.
Speaking of Danes, have you read June’s blog. She’s an Indian woman who moved to Denmark and married a Dane. http://shetalkslikejune.com/
Mumbaikars sure have it worse than delhiites when it comes to pollution, infrastructure and public transport. Even the bus system is better in Delhi, in my experience.
But yeah, Delhi has it’s own bunch of problems. The crime rate are high, especially in the satellite towns (even though organised crime isn’t nearly as widespread).
The worst aspect, however, is that people have zero respect for women. Catcalls and staring are almost acceptable. It’s horrible.
My sis used to take the bus to work for a month or so but now drives down. It sucks, really.
The best living standards in India are in Chandigarh, according to a TOI report (Highest Per Capita Income, Low levels of pollution and crime etc). I must say I agree with that.
Oh, scratch that. It’s now Delhi, apparently.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-best-city-to-live-in-outscores-Mumbai-/articleshow/5660776.cms
grr…
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-best-city-to-live-in-outscores-Mumbai-/articleshow/5660776.cms
These reasons are exactly why I’m glad I don’t live in Delhi. I couldn’t stand the harassment.
But I doubt it’s the most liveable for women, due to the reasons you mentioned previously. I wrote a post on that a while back:
http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2010/03/which-is-the-best-indian-city-for-women/
Yeah well it’s not AS bad as some of the comments there make it out.
Sure, “eve teasing” (ah we Indians call it) is common in Delhi but it’s only in certain areas. I don’t *think* most Delhi women feel threatened the entire time they’re out of the house.
I live in Central Delhi, though, which is not really very crime prone, so I really can’t make an honest assessment.
I mostly saw the harassment happening on public buses and around my college campus in Hauz Khas (which is in South Delhi). Interestingly, people are much better behaved when riding the metro. I’ve never seen anyone doing anything nasty in a metro car/station, though they do plenty of nasty stuff on buses etc lol.
@ Sharell
These reasons are exactly why I’m glad I don’t live in Delhi. I couldn’t stand the harassment.
“But I doubt it’s the most liveable for women.”
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You are living in a world full of exaggeration about Delhi and from your point of view it seems as all delhi girls are living in a hell.But its not. Delhi is just like any big city in India , which has all kind of people and that includes people who respect women and those who dont.
Classification of cities on some survey or some data is just not justified.
But by Infrastructure , Delhi is best , even if some digging is going there bcoz of CWG games.
Mohit, I’ve been to Delhi many times and personally experienced what it’s like to be a white woman there. I’m treated a lot differently in Mumbai and don’t have the same problems.
Infrastructure and Quality of Life is definitely better in ND, as compared to Mumbai. Respect for women is definitely lower.
That doesn’t mean that all delhiites are disrespectful. What it does mean, is that an average woman is probably more likely to face harassment in Delhi than in Mumbai.
@ Sharell
“Mohit, I’ve been to Delhi many times and personally experienced what it’s like to be a white woman there. I’m treated a lot differently in Mumbai and don’t have the same problems.”
———————————————————————————————-
May be , delhites will be more receptive to you , if you and people like you , choose to live in Delhi in more numbers.Its just a invisible wall of ingnorance , which will break with more communication and mixing.
Its like any foreign Automobile company , chooses , by default , Chennai , to make their new car manufacturing plant. Because already there are so many automobile companies and auto-ancilliaries.
I dont really see any fault of other cities in this. Its just that Chennai got lucky .But its not that Delhi , Mumbai or Banglore are bad for car manufacturing.
Ha, you seem to like car analogies Mohit… first it was test driving them, now it’s manufacturing them!
@ sharell
“Ha, you seem to like car analogies Mohit… first it was test driving them, now it’s manufacturing them! ”
I am just passionate about cars.!!! Want to own a Bugatti Veyron or Ssc-Aero one day .. Insha-allah..
The choice between Delhi and Mumbai is always a personal one. In Delhi, the expat community is larger which leaves you in a better position if you are a non-Anglo-Saxon expat. If you are a Bosnian or Polish in Mumbai for instance, you’re practically alone is a big bad world.