Mumbai the fast growing City

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment center of India. Every day thousands of people arriving in Mumbai mostly from rural areas with the hope of better life. The current estimation of Mumbai population varies from 14-19 million people. Regarding to UN-Habitat estimation from 2003 Mumbai has 2010 20.4 million dwellers.
Mumbai is divided in Mumbai city in the south and the east, west suburb areas. The current estimation on slum population in Mumbai is 9.2 million regarding to a BMC slum program. That is approximately more than half of the total population. To understand the dimensions I’m talking about. Sweden has about 9.3 million people and Germany 85 million people. The slum population in Mumbai is equal to a country in Europe.

First Impression of Mumbai

The city is really busy and crowded all the time. It is exciting. It is very different from what I’m used to. The traffic looks like one big chaos without any rules but surprisingly I did’t see any accidents so far and the traffic has it’s own flow. On the main roads the air is very polluted. You can find any kind of vehicle there. Trucks, Buses, Cars, Bike but the most significant vehicle on Mumbai’s roads is the auto rickshaw. Every driver on the road is honking all the time. This noise plus the combustion engines makes the traffic very loud. If you aren’t used to the noise and the air pollution you can get head ache very easily. Like I did after couple of hours in the streets. But over all very interesting!

Arrived at the IIT Bombay

Out of the air conditioned Airport at 0:30AM the first what I had to do is to take of my pullover. Mumbai is very HOT with high humidity. 25°C feels like 30°C in the night. During the day is the average temperature in April 35°C. At the Airport I took a PrePaid taxi. It was 190 Rupees what is about 3,15EUR. At the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT main gate I got my key to the hostel 12. In the Morning I saw where I actually am. IIT Campus is a very good place to stay in Mumbai. It is very green and not so loud and crowded like the city, the air is better and slightly lower temperature. Feels like I’m in a jungle.

Flight Amsterdam – Mumbai

The direct flight to Mumbai was shorter than expected just about 8 hours. Welcome to India!

“Slumming it”

Just watched the documentary “Slumming it” by Kevin McCloud on Channel 4/UK. So I know a little bit more what to expect if I’m there. A very interesting and inspiring view on life in the slum of Mumbai. My recommendation!

Be Prepared!

To go to India is not as easy and simple as I thought . You have to be aware what to expect in a tropical environment. The journey starts at home. So I’m talking to a lot of people who already have been or are there, to learn from the experience. First step. Went to a Tropen Centrum in Amsterdam to get the basic vaccination like DTP (Diphtheria Tetanus Poliomyelitis) and Hepatitis A. There are pills against Malaria but I consider not to take them. People were reporting some side effect like loosing hairs etc. thats why I think I’m gonna use mosquitoes repellent. Loosing hairs is the last thing what I need Of course there is more to consider for protection, but this depends to your duration and location.