Six million - and one
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:04AM I decided I'd had enough taxi rides for a while so took the commuter train in to south Mumbai and back today. A few basic facts about the trains here*...
About 6 million people ride the trains into Mumbai each day. Bandra station.
Eight people die each day on the trains, mostly from falling out the doors or getting hit by a signal. This is the car I squeezed on to.
At peak hours (9-11 is morning rush hour), trains meant to carry 1700 passengers carry 4700. That's 17 bodies per sq meter of space. It's called "superdensecrushload." (I went at 9:30.) Sorry, perverts, separate cars for men and women.
Other commuters are easily amused. Come on, my chances were 8 out of 6 million of getting killed.
*Statistics from TimeOut's Mumbai and Goa travel guide.
Two more handy travel tips:
Never feed the temple monkeys. (In Thailand I once had a monkey climb my body, grab the chips from my hand, snarl at me, and then leap away. And I have the scars to prove it.) These are at the Elephanta Temple on an island the the Mumbai Harbor.
From the boat to Elephanta Island. Don't ask me how I got the picture.
And finally,
Yes, there really are sacred cows. In fact quite a lot of them. Everywhere.
Oh, Mumbai's population density is 27,358 people per sq kilomter. New York City's is (9,551). 55% of Mumbai's 13 million people live in slums which occupy 6% of the city's land. (See yesterday's post.)
Having a wonderful time in India. Wish you were here.
Reader Comments (8)
Love the "No Photos" photo. I'm always taking those in museums and such and my lovely bride is always shaking her head in disgust when I do. Can't help it, though. They're so silly. Yours is a classic of the form!
I was last in Mumbai many years ago when it was still Bombay. India is a wonderful place of sights, smells, friendly people, amazing food, and extraordinary experiences. Glad to hear you are having a wonderful fime!
Doug,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying Mumbai. Thank you for your posts from India --it helps the global community to see how people live and work in other parts of the world. Do learn about the Tiffin Carriers of Mumbai who do an excellent job of delivering hot lunch to thousands every day. The food is picked up at the people's house from the suburbs of Mumbai and delivered to their work place in the city.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Rati
Fascinating look at a very different world. Thanks for taking us along with you via your posts and photos.
Coincidentally there is a picture today in our newspaper of an overcrowded train with hundreds of people hanging onto the side. India's railway minister is to present the railway budget. It's apparent that they could budget for a few more railway cars.
It's so interesting to follow your journeys!
Not to abuse a sacred cow or anything, but I'd like to hear about what you see in the way of technology hunger, particularly among the poorest Indians.
So happy you're including us in your journey!
It caught me by surprise that you were suddenly around the Earth. I'll have to go back and find out why that is.
In the meantime, here's another blog along those lines--a couple that moved from Brainerd, MN to Mumbai just last summer.
I always take the "Don't go past this point" sign (far past the sign) pictures too. Drives the LWW nuts.
Doug
Hi Helen,
Mumbai is still all the things you mention!
Doug
Hi Rati,
Thanks for your comment.
I have the lunch bicyles delivers pointed out to me by one of my guides with an explanation of how many lunches are carried, the distances, the accuracy, and the reliability. Absolutely amazing - all done without names! I guess there is a study to be published on how all this happens soon.
Doug
Thanks, Paul. I live a charmed life getting these chances to travel.
Doug
Well, the mobile phones seem to be as ubiquitous here as they are in the rest of the world!
All the best,
Doug
Loved the blog you sent. Great writing.
Oh, I am here to speak at a conference, just sneaking in a few days of being a tourist prior.
Thanks,
Doug