| Re: Monsoon musings | The pros & cons of living in Mumbai
Bombay is Bombay (unless it is Mumbai). There is nothing quite like it. It is cramped, muggy, and doesn't offer you a moment of peace. But my god, the city is BURSTING with energy. It is the only city in India where the plumber, gardener, or electrician will show up on time. You try planning your day around an electrician's visit in Hyderabad or Bangalore - you'll need to take half a week off unless you're using Urban Company. Even the BMC in Bombay works twice as hard as most other municipal corporations - I have dealt with them personally and can attest to this. Anyone who is used to doing business in Bombay will slit their wrists in despair if they have to deal with the comparative lack of professionalism elsewhere in our country.
Of course, the only reason to now move to Bombay (or Mumbai) is if you are in finance, corporate law, or media. For IT, Bangalore and Hyderabad, and even NCR are more fertile hunting grounds. But you'll notice people who live in Bombay for 10 years call will proudly tell you they're 'from Bombay' or Mumbaikars. Try finding that somewhere else.
And for all those who say the commute is bad, please come to Bangalore. You have a Metro that is being built - while preserving architectural beauty, as well as coastal roads to ease traffic. Please count your blessings and NEVER crib about your road and travel infra.
If only the administration would unleash development by bringing FSI up from 1.33 to 15-20 like NYC and Tokyo, and improve urban infrastructure commensurately, you would see the city catapult beyond imagination. | 
