The daily Bombay commute

mr_rush · May 31st, 2008, 20:37

An interesting article in the Times on Friday about the daily commute in Bombay.

Quote:

It is 8.30am and choc-a-bloc outside Andheri West, a railway station in Bombay's ramshackle northern suburbs. Ibrahim, the photographer, and I are here to catch a train downtown to the southerly tip of the island city. The thought of the 40-minute ride is making my palms sweat (it's 30C - 86F - and most of me is sweating). The apprehension is understandable. For, as any regular knows, the journey from north to south Bombay is a killer. Literally: 16 people die every weekday on what is, possibly, the world's deadliest stretch of rail. As statistics go, it's an unintelligible gobsmacker - until you experience the rush hour.

Mod Note:

Please do not post full articles from other sources, it is against
our policy of respect for copyright.

edwardseco · Jun 1st, 2008, 12:05

Wonder what it is as a percentage of commuters.?

gqsmoothie · Jun 8th, 2008, 01:14

This might sound stupid, but how do they die?

Is it from crossing the tracks and getting hit by a train?

Familyonthemove · Jun 8th, 2008, 04:32

Some from crossing the tracks - many commuters cut it very fine crossing in front of trains, but mainly from falling out of the open doors or being electrocuted when travelling on the roof.

It's not really as bad as the stories suggest - there's so many millions of commuters it distorts the stats.

I used to go from Santa Cruz to Churchgate on the local and as I didn't hang out of the doorway, travel on the roof or cross tracks it felt no more risky than the London Underground.

Getting on and off needs planning and determination to avoid missing your stop - but it's so much quicker than a car it's worth the crush.

PeakXV · Jun 8th, 2008, 05:34

I might be slightly biased from reading 'A Fine Balance' ... but there may be more than a few of those 'track crossers' who purposely 'miss a step' and perhaps one or two that literally get caught with their pants down.

edwardseco · Oct 8th, 2008, 22:16

Side note is that there is a hair raising you tube on just this..

Jun 8th, 2008, 04:32	#4
Familyonthemove Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 274	Some from crossing the tracks - many commuters cut it very fine crossing in front of trains, but mainly from falling out of the open doors or being electrocuted when travelling on the roof. It's not really as bad as the stories suggest - there's so many millions of commuters it distorts the stats. I used to go from Santa Cruz to Churchgate on the local and as I didn't hang out of the doorway, travel on the roof or cross tracks it felt no more risky than the London Underground. Getting on and off needs planning and determination to avoid missing your stop - but it's so much quicker than a car it's worth the crush. __________________ My Journal My Photos

Jun 8th, 2008, 05:34	#5
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,196	I might be slightly biased from reading 'A Fine Balance' ... but there may be more than a few of those 'track crossers' who purposely 'miss a step' and perhaps one or two that literally get caught with their pants down. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
looking for cheap bombay-dubai or bombay-sharjah retrun tickets	anilkhare	Domestic India Flights	6	Apr 24th, 2008 17:14
How do you commute?	mridula	Chai and Chat	5	Sep 23rd, 2007 19:22
3 weeks in South India . Bombay-...- Bombay	mokolongwa	India Travel Itinerary Advice	2	Nov 1st, 2006 00:53
South Delhi - Gurgaon commute	onewoman	India Expat Area	11	Jan 19th, 2006 14:15

Jun 1st, 2008, 12:05	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,931	Wonder what it is as a percentage of commuters.?

Jun 8th, 2008, 01:14	#3
gqsmoothie Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh NC USA Posts: 86	This might sound stupid, but how do they die? Is it from crossing the tracks and getting hit by a train?

Oct 8th, 2008, 22:16	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,931	Side note is that there is a hair raising you tube on just this..

User Name		Remember Me?
Password