Mumbai Transport

[ Airlines in Mumbai | Car Hire And Rentals | Facts for the Traveller ]

BEST buses form an integral part of the city's transport system. Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to travel to and from their workplace due to the lack of car parking spaces, traffic bottlenecks, and generally poor road conditions. The city is the headquarters of two rail divisions - the Central Railway (CR) (headquartered at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus)), and the Western Railway (WR) (headquartered at Churchgate). The backbone of the city's transport, the Mumbai Suburban Railway, is composed of three separate networks running the length of the city, in a north-south direction. The Western Railway runs along the western region of the city, while the Central Railway covers most of the central and northeast parts of the metropolis. Both lines extend into the exurbs, each covering a total one-way length of around 125-km. The Harbour Line is a sub-division of the Central Railway, covering a distance of 54 km along the southeastern section of the city, near the docks, and extending into Navi Mumbai. Mumbai is well connected by trains to all parts of India.

Public buses run by the BEST (an autonomous body under the BMC) cover almost all parts of the metropolis, as well as parts of Navi Mumbai and Thane. Buses are used for commuting short to medium distances, while train fares are more economical for long distance commutes. The BEST fleet consists of single-decker, double-decker and air-conditioned.

Black and yellow-metered taxis, accommodating up to four passengers, cover most of the metropolis. Auto rickshaws, allowed to operate only in the suburban areas, are the main forms of hired transport here. These three-wheeled vehicles can accommodate up to three passengers.

Auto rickshaws are the main forms of transport in the suburbs. Mumbai's Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (formerly, Sahar International Airport) is the busiest airport in India, and caters to cargo and international flights while Santacruz Airport caters to domestic flights. The nearby Juhu aerodrome was India's first airport, and now hosts a flying club and a heliport.

With its unique topography, Mumbai has one of the best natural harbours in the world, handling 50% of the country's passenger traffic, and much of India's cargo. It is also an important base for the Indian Navy.

1. Air Transport
   Bombay is a major hub for Indian air transport. It also has an international airport, connected by many international airlines.
   
   
2. Rail Transport
   The city is the railhead for two different sections of the Indian Railways. The Central Railways has its headquarters and starting point at the Victoria Terminus. The Western Railways terminates at Bombay Central.
   
   
3. Water Transport
   The largest part of shipping to the Bombay port consists of cargo. Cargo handling facilities have also been set up in Nhava and Sheva in New Bombay. There are passenger services to nearby beaches and to Goa by catamaran and hovercraft.
   
   
4. Urban Transport
   The urban transport system consists of suburban railways, buses, hovercrafts and taxis. It is estimated that more than 80% of Bombay's total daily travel demand is shared equally between the suburban rail and bus systems.

At a height of 26 feet above mean sea level, Mumbai airport serves as one of India's major international airports. It operates throughout the day, and currently handles upto 35 landings and takeoffs per hour. On November 3, 1995, Bombay airport reached a record 150 arrivals and 152 departures. International arrivals and departures are most frequent at night.

International terminals
On arrival at the Sahar International Airport, the immigration, baggage retrieval and customs areas precede the remainder of the services. Exchange can be obtained at bank counters just outside the customs area. Hotel bookings and pre-paid taxis are available. There are no shops in the arrival area. The departure lounges are marginally better equipped for shopping. They also have a restaurant, a snack bar and exchange. However, check in and emigration are chaotic because of the bunching of flights at night. Phones are available at both arrival and departure.

Domestic terminals
On arrival at the Santa Cruz airport counters for various services such as hotel reservations skirt the baggage retrieval area. There is no pre-paid taxi counter, although some auto-rentals may represent themselves as such. Taxis are available from a policed queue outside the terminal. The departure area has minimal shopping and a snack bar. Phones are available at both arrival and departure.

Top    

Airlines in Mumbai

Domestic Airlines in Mumbai

International Airlines in Mumbai

Top    

Facts for the Traveller

List of stations

• Western line
  Within Greater Mumbai: Churchgate, Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Khar Road, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Dahisar.
  
  Outside Greater Mumbai: Mira Road, Bhayandar, Naigaon, Vasai Road, Nala Sopara, Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar, Vangaon, Dahanu Road
  
  
• Central (Main) line
  Within Greater Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) (formerly, Victoria Terminus (VT), Masjid Bunder, Sandhurst Road, Byculla, or Bhaykhala, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Parel, Dadar, Matunga, Sion (Sheev), Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Nahur, Mulund
  
  Outside Greater Mumbai: Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra, Diwa, Dombivli, Thakurli, Kalyan
  Kalyan, Thane, Dadar are important stops for outstation trains.
  
  
• Harbour line
  Within Greater Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) (formerly, Victoria Terminus (VT), Masjid, Sandhurst Road, Dockyard Road, Reay Road, Cotton Green, Sewri, Wadala road
  1. Wadala road, King's Circle, Mahim, Bandra, Khar Road, Santacruz, Vile Parle, Andheri
  2. Wadala road, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Chunabhatti, Kurla,Tilak Nagar, Chembur, Govandi, Mankhurd

  Within Navi Mumbai: Vashi, Sanpada, Juinagar, Nerul, Seawoods, Belapur, Khargar, Mansarovar, Khandeshwar, Panvel, Airoli, Ghansoli, Kopar Khairane, Turbhe
  Diwa-Vasai Road Corridor
  Diwa, Dombivli, Bhiwandi, Kharbav, Kaman, Vasai Road

1. Karjat (100 km from CST)
2. Kasara

• 1. Kalyan, Vitthalwadi, Ulhasnagar, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Vangani, Shelu, Neral, Bhivpuri Road, Karjat, Palasdari, Kelavli, Dolavli, Lowjee, Khopoli
• Kalyan, Shahad, Ambivli, Titwala, Khadavli, Vasind, Asangaon, Atgaon, Khardi, Kasara

Visas
All foreign visitors to India require a valid visa. A tourist visa, valid for 90 days from the date of entry, can be obtained from any Indian embassy, high commission or consulate. If you intend to leave India and return within the 90-day period (such as from a trip to Sri Lanka or Pakistan), then it is worth applying for a double- or triple-entry visa. An extension for a further 90 days can be given to a tourist visa by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Bombay (Annexe 2, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Dadabhoy Naroji Road, tel. 268 111). The visa fee varies from nationality to nationality, with British passport holders paying the most - colonial justice perhaps. If a visit extends beyond 90 days, an Income Tax Clearance Certificate is required at the time of departure. This is available from the main tax office in Bombay.

Top