Walking in Mumbai

[anshjain97]

Some of you may have travelled around India- you might be knowing that cities are generally poorly catered to pedestrians. Sidewalks are small, rare, broken or obstructed. Sewage on the sidewalk. Electric poles. Stalls on the sidewalk. Parked vehicles. Too many entrances to driveways. And whatnot.

But Mumbai is different. South Mumbai is much better geared for pedestrians- still limited compared to international standards, but compared to other places in India, it's much better. There are no pylons in South Mumbai (everything's underground). Bus stops occupy minimum space, not hindering pedestrian traffic at all, while people waiting for the bus can still sit down. Pavements are in better condition, generally.

Take advantage of this. Marine Dr is the ideal route, from Chowpatty to Nariman Point, pavements are broad and well maintained. It's a popular spot at night, good to view the sea or just watch the world go by.



At night, due to the illumination (yes, all street lights work), the area is called "Queen's Necklace".



Other walkable areas:
From marine Dr, turn into Veer Nariman Road. Pass by the iconic Pizza by the Bay restaurant and the Ambassador Hotel and continue past Churchgate station. You will also see the Western Railways Headquarters on the left.

Continue straight till you reach the Oval Maidan. Oval Maidan is a green space where cricket and soccer are frequently played. On the eastern boundary of Oval Maidan, turn right- this is Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg. Walk on, you'll pass the High Court, the University area with its Rajabai Clock Tower. Get into Oval Maidan, the views are nice.


The High Court is left and the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) is behind the Rajabai Clock Tower.

Now, continue on the road until you reach Madame Cama road, where you should take a left. The next junction is called SP Mukherjee Chowk with the famous Regal Cinema.


SP Mkherjee Chowk, building shown is not Regal Cinema.

Make a left on MG Rd- on the right side are the Prince of Wales Museum and the Jehangir Art gallery. Continue on the road which is known as Fashion Street- lots of clothes on sale on the pavement.

You will later reach Veer Nariman Road again- on this junction is the Flora Fountain.



Turn right on Veer Nariman Road until you reach St Thomas Cathedral.




You will now reach Horniman Circle. Enjoy a coffee at the nearby Starbuck's!

[bjd]

Oooh, Ansh! Starbucks?? Why not some Indian tea?

Thanks for this -- not at all how I pictured any of India. I expected more crowds and colour.

[Deleted]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing, Ansh.

It's much more advanced and modern than I expected. Mumbai is one city I would like to live in for a certain length of time. It's also known as the 'financial capital of India'.

[Deleted]

Great photos, Ansh -- actually not too different from some of the areas that I saw in Chennai. We outsiders always expect huge crowds of people at all times so we are surprised to see streets where we could walk around "normally."

[anshjain97]

Bjd- for something different. Starbuck's is new in India and this outlet is the main one (there are 3 in Mumbai).

Even parts of Delhi (have you been there?) feel equally modern- broad, clean roads with bs stops with digital signs and all working streetlights. Driving down Barakhamba Rd, I could feel like I was in a South-east Asian metropolis...
However, Mumbai isn't a city I would consider living in...booming property prices is one of the reasons.

Kerouac, surprised that Chennai has some of these areas! Do you remember where all- I would be there in 2 weeks.

Thanks all!

[anshjain97]

For more colour, Crawford Market is your place.



And Chowpatty beach on Marine Dr should not disappoint, if not that intense.



The area around CST (Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus, formerly known as VT- Victoria Terminus- one of the main train stations in Mumbai primarily for suburban rail) is hellishly crowded whenever the trains are running- around like 20 hrs a day but Monsoon floods often close the trains.

[Deleted]

That second photo is really striing with the skyline in back!

[anshjain97]

CST is located on Dadabhai Naoroji Road, not far from Horniman Circle. On it is some nice colonial architecture and the road is pretty nice to stroll through. Rush builds up around CST all the time- traffic is high etc.


This is part of CST, difficult to get the full picture.

Opposite is BMC- Brihamumbai Municipal Council. Also a nice building.


Dadabhai Naoroji Rd (next 2 pictures)



CST interior (bad shot, but gives some scale of the chaos)
www.flickr.com/photos/ansh_jain/8361475894/in/photostream

Wheelchair access is on many pavements:
www.flickr.com/photos/ansh_jain/8360412153/in/photostream

[Deleted]

A red double decker bus, so much still to remind us of the centuries the British occupied the country. All these photos are making me eager to start my journey!

I've been reading up on India quite a bit, ansh, and the more I learn, the more fascinated I become by it.

[anshjain97]

Due to the lack of pylons and cables, double decker buses operate. However, A/C buses are fewer in Mumbai compared to say, Bangalore.

One thing that struck me about Mumbai: general honesty about cab drivers. They are always ready for a conversation, and either use their meter or agree up on a (relatively cheap) fare beforehand.

[anshjain97]

Mumbai also has some nice churches. Apart from the aforementioned St Thomas Church, the Afghan Church is worth a visit. It's located in Colaba.

[Deleted]

I like the idea of the dealing beforehand what the taxi ride will cost. I think that's the best way to do it? But I suppose it all depends on the taxi driver/company.

I'm not sure how well it works, but hiring a rickshaw for the day seems like a good idea as well. Are there a lot of motorized ones now?

[anshjain97]

I have not seen any non-motorized rickshaw in Mumbai- if you're thinking of the ones they have in places like Delhi, and even Macau?

(not my photo )http://www.loupiote.com/photos/3700155652.shtml#photo

Didn't hire taxis for a full day there...city cabs are available easily. But companies like Carzonrent (http://www.carzonrent.com/) offer cabs for 4 and 8 hr periods.
Not sure if autos can be hired for a full day- you can ask them but they may not agree.

[Deleted]

Yeah, I'm probably thinking of the ones in Delhi, ansh.

Looks like I have more reading up to do! My boyfriend keeps telling me to stop trying to figure it all out so much, he says I have to leave something to surprise me. I think he has a point.

I guess I'm just more nervous about this trip than I realize. Anyway, sorry, I don't mean to take your thread off to another direction.

[anshjain97]

Don't worry at all, Deyana. I like good threadjacks.

[Deleted]

Madras Chennai was full of fascinating Victorian buildings also. As for the 'civilised' zones that I saw, unfortunately it was more than 20 years ago, so I'm sure that everything I experienced is no longer valid -- for better and for worse.

[anshjain97]

Thanks anyways, Kerouac. I'll post back if I manage to see anything.

[anshjain97]

In the western part of South Mumbai, you have the posh Malabar Hill area. From the viewpoints, you can admire Mumbai's smog.

The picture below is the Hanging Gardens- great for some greenery and a walk.


Opposite it is the Kamala Nehru Park- a viewpoint over Marine Dr- but you will generally only see smog and a faint glimmer of the seaside.



Mumbai is basically divided into South Mumbai, Central Mumbai and the Suburbs. Don't be fooled by the word "suburbs", they are nothing but just expansions of the city and are generally equally packed as the rest of the city Some areas are pleasant, though.

One of them is Bandra. It has an almost hill station feel to it- and take that seriously, take an auto rather than walking in many places. It is home to a posh area called Bandstand- with apartments and bungalows- some of celebrities.

You have some nice churches here.

One is the St Andrew's Church



Another is the Mount Mary's Basilica


There is also a St Peter's Church which we didn't see.

The seaside promenade here is called Carter Rd- but IMHO nothing in comparison with Marine Dr.

[Deleted]

Great photos. Can't wait to be there!

[nycgirl]

Hi Ansh, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing. You show a side of India I've never seen before in photos.

[anshjain97]

Thanks, both!

[lugg]

Really enjoyed reading this and looking at your photos Ansh . Do you know what ceremony was taking place in St Andrews church? The photo of Chowpatty beach at sunset is really lovely.

[anshjain97]

Thanks lugg! But I've no idea what ceremony was taking place, sorry.

[Deleted]

They are certainly generous with benches along Carter Road.

[anshjain97]

Indeed. That is nice, especially if you've been walking along the hilly areas just inland.