With all the action shifting to areas that were originally christened the suburbs, South Mumbai has rapidly lost its sheen and allure.
MUMBAI: In the happening lanes of Bandra lies a truth: South Mumbai has become the city’s new suburb.
The truth is also equally apparent in the bustling malls of Malad, the skyrocketing property prices of Khar, the teeming multiplexes of Andheri and the high rises of Kandivli and Borivli.
That all the buzz and jazz has shifted up north is old hat. What isn’t is that north doesn’t stop at Walkeshwar, Haji Ali or even the sparkling malls of Lower Parel. Up north now means Malad, Kandivli, Borivli, Mulund and even Thane, whose high-octane action makes South Mumbai seem breathless.
With all the action shifting to areas that were originally christened the suburbs, South Mumbai has rapidly lost its sheen and allure. But why has most of the action deserted South Mumbai? There are several reasons.
Realty experts say huge open spaces in Malad, Kandavli, Borivli and Mulund have encouraged developers to plan out huge malls. Good infrastructure and superb rail and road connectivity are added incentives.
For instance, the Inorbit Mall in Malad and R-Mall in Mulund offer opportunities for a daylong fun-filled outing for the entire family. You name it and they have it, whether it is shopping, eating out, sports and games, or watching the latest films ensconced in air-conditioned comfort.
Large green areas, apart from the famous 100-square kilometres Sanjay Gandhi National Park, have also acted as a big push for developers to plan housing complexes that talk to the skies.
“I get adequate parking space, which is a myth in South Mumbai,” says 36-year-old Uma Deepak, who stays in Kandivli. “And not everyone can afford the stratospheric property prices of South Mumbai. Anyways, I hardly have to move out of my zone. Whether it is shopping, movies or fun, Kandivli is self-sufficient.”
But in all these high energy areas, Bandra still occupies the pride of place. So much so that some people are even ready to undergo some hardships to stay in this 'happening' suburb -- like Rajesh Kumar Dash.
A model-cum-aspiring actor, 26-year-old Dash specifically chose to live in Bandra in a rental flat shared by two like-minded youth. "This suburb is simply amazing in all respects, it's well-connected, it gives you all kinds of eating out and shopping options, great entertainment avenues, glitter and glamour all around -- we struck off options of Andheri because of these reasons," he says.
But Bandra residents have a different take. Ramya Iyer, a Bandraite for 26 years, says, "The pollution and congestion has crossed limits. Everything has become commercialised. The old familiarity and warmth is missing. I guess this is the price of development that we have to pay anywhere."
At some places, the rental prices can be truly shocking - ranging from Rs30,000-50,000 per month for flats in posh buildings to shared accommodation in the eastern part which could be as low as Rs. 2,000 per head in the MIG Colony. But despite mind-boggling prices, Bandraites swear by connectivity. "Santa Cruz Airport is 10 minutes, Sahar International Airport is 15 minutes and Lower Parel is 30 minutes. Even Churchgate by fast train is 20 minutes," says 76-year-old Raj Bhatia, who stays in the posh Carter Road.
For the younger set, Bandra's night-life and eating joints are a big draw, with dime a dozen restaurants, pubs and restobars. "Unlike South Mumbai, where one would have to go several kilometres to hunt out for different things," says 31-year-old lawyer Anjali Chopra, who stays at Khar.
Ad man and long-time Bandra resident Prahlad Kakkar says, "The crowd in Bandra is not your usual bank executive or government employee-type. Bandra welcomes a lot of self-employed youngsters and people from the media, advertising and other unusual professions. The fact that it is a centrally-located suburb also helps." But several can't afford, nor prefer, Bandra. That is where other localities like Andheri, Malad, Goregaon, Kandivali and Mulund score. With property prices between Rs6,000-Rs8,000 per square foot, the affordability factor becomes predominant.
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