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Mumbai is the most opulent city in India. The seven islands that constitute Bombay were initially home to communities of fishermen, but have graduated to the commercial and entertainment centre of India. 5% of India's GDP! 25% of industrial output! 40% of maritime trade! 70% of capital transactions! Mumbai's business opportunities and dreams of fame and fortune pull in migrants from all over India.
Districts
Mumbai is a city growing south to north, widening from 4 km at its tip to 40 km at its limits.
• South Mumbai — Consists of the Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine
Lines, and Tardeo, the oldest areas of Mumbai. Here is the commercial capital of India.
• South Central Mumbai — Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, and Dadar; once Mumbai's heartland.
• North Central Mumbai — Dharavi, Matunga, Vadala, Sion, and Mahim. An upper middle-class area, except for Dharavi, which contains Asia's largest slum.
• Western Suburbs — Bandra , Khar, Santa Cruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, and Andheri.
Home to a large Christian community and the city's most famous church.
• Central Suburbs — Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjur Marg, Bhandup, Mulund and Powai.
• Harbour Suburbs — Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, and Trombay.
• Northwest Mumbai — Manori, Jogeshwari, this is where you go to find beaches that are clean, Mira Road, Bhyander, Naigaon, Vasai, Nala Sopara & Virar. |
How to Get There:
By Air: Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is India's busiest airport and one of the main international gateways to the country. The airport has two terminals : International (Terminal 2) and Domestic (Terminal 1). They are 4km apart, connected by a free shuttle bus. The airport is 30 km from VT. Prepaid coupon taxis are recommended.
By Rail: The termini of the two major lines that serve India are close to each other. The Central line curves away from the coast and heads east towards Pune/Nashik to serve Southern, Eastern and parts of North India. The Termini are the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus, known just as VT), Dadar, and Kurla. The Western line sticks to the coast for 300 km and connects to the Western states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and some parts of North India. Termini are Mumbai Central and Bandra.
By Road: National highways 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 17, and the Mumbai-Pune expressway exit the city linking to all of India. Roads conditions are generally good. Mumbai is served by myriad buses from cities in inner India.
By Sea: Numerous travel organisations now offer cruises to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, etc. Though this industry is still nascent, Mumbai is connected. Mumbai has one of the best natural harbours in the world and is thus heavily loaded.
Getting Around: Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to and from their workplace. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. It's best to travel by branded cab services that operate at government-approved tariffs.
Where to Stay: Mumbai has over 1,000 hotels. Sahara Star, Mumbai; Intercontinental - The Lalit, Mumbai; Hotel Metro Residency, Mumbai; Tunga Regale , Mumbai; Trident Bandra Kurla, Mumbai; Trident Nariman Point, Mumbai; RODAS an Ecotel Hotel, Mumbai and Hotel Silver Inn, Mumbai are good hotels, in the 2-4 star category. All 3-5 star hotels are online, and the hotel directory runs into 70 pages.
What to See: Elephanta, Kanheri, and Mahakali; Gateway of India, the CST terminus, and the Police headquarters; the Prince of Wales Museum, and the National Gallery of Modern Art;
temples, mosques, churches, Parsi Agiaries and synagogues. You need to get to Mumbai to understand it. Only then can you decide what you want to see and how much time you want to spend. Ask a Bombayite and he will say-‘A lifetime’. Six months pass so quickly and you will wonder what happened. What hit you? Its called Mumbai……..
Where to Eat: Colaba - A foodies delight. Aga Brothers, Martin's, Gable's, Picadilly and so many others. Western chains like McDonalds , Subway, Pizza hut, Dominos, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. have many outlets all over the city. Don’t miss the pao bhaji or vada pao.
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