Bangalore vs other metros
Over the past couple of weeks I've been kinda busy and haven't been online much and have actually lost touch with some friends whom I regularly kept in touch with online. More on all the work I was doing in a later blog post.
I spent the last two weekends at two metro cities - the first at Mumbai and the last one at Chennai. I had some great experiences at both cities and will be blogging more about them in the coming blog posts.
I did notice a few things about these cities and compare them with Bangalore, below -
1. Local train/metro system - This was such a blessing and so convenient. I did most of my traveling in the trains at Chennai, and best part - no traffic jams! The rates were so cheap - I was shocked to see the train ticket cost Rs. 8/- for a two-way ticket that was almost Rs. 70/- one-way at the pre paid auto stand! When will the Bangalore metro go live? I hope it's not too far away.
2. Better roads - The roads were in a much better condition to a large extent and though there were bad patches and potholes the ratio of good roads to bad roads was much better and higher than in Bangalore. The roads were also much wider in these cities than in Bangalore.
3. More flyovers and underpasses - there were lots of these - cleverly planned and quickly constructed, at the busy junctions and over/under railway lines, thereby providing for un-interrupted travel. This is so needed in Bangalore where there are way too many intersections and traffic signals and where the construction pace is as slow as the traffic jams themselves.
4. Much bigger - the other cities are so much bigger, especially Mumbai - it was huge! Everything seemed so far away, but ofcourse thanks to the good local transport system distance was covered quickly. I shudder to think of such distances in Bangalore without a decent local mass transport system.
5. Night life - Need I say anything about the pathetic 11 PM shut down of Bangalore? I was embarrassed to talk about this in the other cities, where such restrictions don't seem to apply or are atleast better and at a later more understandable time.
6. Taxis - Mumbai seems to have more taxis than any other vehicle. Bangalore on the other hand has tons of autos and only has the call taxis, and not like the taxis in Mumbai.
7. Auto - Mumbai autos were fine, in that they atleast went by the meter, like in Bangalore and so unlike Chennai, where the meter is just a fashion accessory!
8. Weather - this was probably the only area where Bangalore scores better, but in the larger context it doesn't seem to be much of a factor. I think people would rather stay in a hot and humid city with good infrastructure than a place like Bangalore where they'll end up sweating in the long traffic jams anyway.
I will update this post as and when I think of more points for the above comparison.
posted by Sabarish @ 12/26/2005 11:39:00 AM
>> When will the Bangalore metro go live?
Not in another 100 years. So we wont get to see it.
>> Much bigger
I am happy that it is smaller.
>> Night life
You owl
>> Taxis
Why are you bothered when you have a car to drive around
>> Auto
The biggest pain of them all.
>> Night life
What do you want to do after 11PM?
And Bangalore doesn't shut down. Bars and pubs shut down. Why are you complaining?
Visit Delhi too.....
>> Night life
Are you referring to this -
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=76191
by any chance? If so, has it caused you so much of inconvenience? ;)
I completely agree with you on the roads. Bangalore roads are horrible. The useless State Govt. has been doing nothing about it. Wonder if Mr.CM forgot that his own deadline for filling up potholes is over. These people are just fit cut the inaguration ribbon at various places.
You probably missed out - pollution. Maxi cabs, Old trucks, Autos (grrr...stupid driving to add to the pollution) and even Police jeeps! I wonder if what we are breathing these days has any O2 content left in it. Or are we Bangaloreans going to evolve into a separate category of humans and we learn to live on carbon dioxide?
@Sharath - Regarding taxis, my post was a general comparison of the three cities based on what I experienced. I didnt say I wanted more taxis in Bangalore or that I would use them.
@Sharath and Sunil Regarding night life - just because you don't party, it doesn't mean that the others shouldnt...
And yes Bangalore does pretty much shut down after 11 PM, compared to Mumbai and Chennai. It is very hard to find anything open late night here.
@programmed_geek - Yes I so want to visit Delhi. Maybe next visit will be there.
@Sunil - Yeah man the roads need a lot of work here.
Pollution was there in the other cities also, but Bangalore was a lot less polluted a few years back...maybe the increase is thanks to all the cutting of trees.
And the less said the better about Autos!
feels good to hear good things abut mumbai .... I'm frm mumbai ... so the comment
>> @Sharath and Sunil Regarding night life - just because you don't party, it doesn't mean that the others shouldnt...
:) I didnt mean that, rather was surprised to know your agreement with my earlier statement. (Giggle...)
Sabarish,
saw an interesting post and thought of you.
new story on Yahoo news.com (US)
caption,'Cash pours in for student with million $ web idea.'
His site at: www.milliondollarhomepage.com
was sent to me by friend from at IBM,Texas who said,"try not to kick yourself all day."
And as for latest previous post,
we are all for partying.
-A.W.
hey sab!! u were in chennai and u didnt give me a call....
Thank god u didnt take autos in chennai...they would empty your pockets, strip u of ur pants and shirts (of money !!)...
btw, purpose of visit??
@Ankur - We had an awesome time in Mumbai! Watch out for my blog post soon on how we had the most wacky and weird holiday ever!
@A.W - I guess you're gonna be partying real hard for New years?! I can't wait!
@Aswin - Ya I only had enough time for relatives...was visiting them after a long time...I didnt even meet my own classmates who are now in Chennai. Next time I will come to meet friends and will surely contact you.
Yes I agree with you, the crowd is nice here, very cosmopolitan as you put it.
I think it will be great is Bangalore is made into a city state. That will be awesome for the city!
metro rail is must to ease traffic jams at intersections throughout bangalore.bangalore & mysore will be like Mumbai & pune intercities with growth & development of MNC/Software Tech parks etc.
SNRAMESH www.snehamilana.net
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Mumbai Rocks guys!! Bangalore has emerged as a city on the map of India recently..but Mumbai is well known all over the world. Better known as the 'Financial Capital Of India', definitely will convert itself into Shanghai very soon with the metro & sealink in place.
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Bangalore is actually the most livable city. One feels welcome right from the time you enter the city for the first time. Best part about Bangalore is the crowd who are hospitable and one can easily mingle without any hassles. Mumbai on the other hand is very crowded and you feel you are just adding to the population of the city. People are not that hospitable and are mostly self centered but will definitely help you in times on need. Chennai, needless to say is bad climatically and the people are just too rude to handle especially the public servants and the auto wallahs.
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hey frnds,my view will count as i have spent 4 yrs in chennai,regularly visited banglore and delhi.my views:-
Rank.1- DELHI:
pros::
delhi is having a very lovable culture as everyone is free to carry his/her style.
the metro rail facility makes it way ahead then other cities.
cost of living is manageable.
best thing is its location.u can easily visit cities like kashmir,agra,shimla,jaipur,chandigarh,noida,amritsar,lucknow,dehradun etc etc..
job opportunity for every sector
great for shopping.
cons:
climate
safety concern for females' security
rank.2- BANGALORE
pros:
outstanding climate.
hip hop culture wid evryone chatting in english :)
gr8 for IT guys.
good location wid mumbai,ooty,chennai,kerala and goa not so far..
safe for females.
cons:
hell high cost of living.
roads and infrastructure lags.
traffic and pollution problems.
rank.3- CHENNAI:
pros:
very good infrastructure with superb roads and facilities.
good transporation of buses nd trains.
reduced cost of living.
gud job prospects for all sectors.
cons:
the harami auto-drivers will make u feel like killing them,the worst peoples.
the hot climate sucks.
food problems for northies.
rude attitude of maximum tamils.
Hi Bro,
I have been to Bangalore for more than 3 yrs. When i entered Bangalore, i was like, i can't adapt to south indian culture, Oh the roads are not broad, its not as big as Delhi, i had many such negative points about bangalore. I don't know when everything got reversed, i started liking bangalore. i was in love with the city. never been before with any other city. 365 days of a year you can think of roaming around, shopping, Biking, you can think of going to Nandi Hills, Shivanasamudram or other places around as the climate allows you, its wonderful always. Every time you can find the pubs and bars very near to you, whether its BTM, Marathalli, Kormangala, Malleshwaram, or Indira Nagar. BMTC buses connects you so well and have Volvos always around you. After a rain, you never find slogged water any where around you. There is no need to adapt to any culture, its a true and only cosmopolitan in India.
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