The long trudge to workplace

DNA asks people if they want to continue their long commute daily.

Expert view
Bad planning is root cause of woes
If given a choice Mumbai's working population will love to quit their jobs and find employment closer home. It's not difficult to understand how problematic commuting is. People are facing a problem because earlier the government didn't have a plan to provide houses near business centres. The government provided space for corporate firms by creating business districts, but didn't have a corresponding strategy to locate housing for personnel nearby. If town planning was essentially created taking this into account, we would not have had this problem. Majority Mumbaikars waste three to five hours everyday in commuting. Fifty years ago, companies made some consideration and created housing for their workers which was closer to their workplace. Today employees are expected to make their own arrangements. High real estate cost makes them seek accommodation in distant places. The government can plan for developing cities like Navi Mumbai and Kalyan.
—Jitendra Gupta, citizens’ transport committee

Don’t crib, city has best transport modes
Firstly the problem of commuting exists everywhere in India. If we compare the transportation systems of Mumbai with other places, we realise that no other city can match up to city's standards, in terms of speed. There is good connectivity with suburban areas. The fact is that newer townships like Thane, Kalyan and Panvel have grown due to Mumbai's economic potential. In addition to that, we shouldn't forget that Mumbaikars are very hard working and have a fighting spirit. It's practically impossible for every company to provide accommodation to personnel near workplaces, due to their financial condition and real estate prices. Moreover, Mumbai is moving ahead to launch better commuting systems like metro and mono rail.
—Prof DP Singh, TISS


Govt cannot provide effective solution
Due to packed trains and traffic on the road, commuting is a big problem for Mumbaikars. Currently I take one hour to reach my office at Bandra-Kurla Complex from Malad. It’s difficult to catch a train from Malad during peak morning hours. Long-distance commuting takes a toll on one’s health and work. If a person has to travel short distances, the individual will be more productive since the person will have more energy and time. Pollution makes travelling by road a horrible experience. Also if a person is tired after a long journey, the individual will not be able to give his best. Government is trying to do its bit, but has been ineffective in providing an efficient solution.
—Vikas Nayak

Mumbaikars have got accustomed to travel
Travelling long distance to work isn’t much of an issue, since I’m accustomed to it. I spend a couple of hours travelling everyday from my home in western suburbs to my office in South Mumbai. I wouldn’t mind travelling even longer, if I’m getting better opportunities. It will be great to have your workplace closer to one’s residence, but I will not consider changing my job, due to the commute. I think all Mumbaikars have got habituated and are prepared for the travel to work. They have learnt to allocate time and have made a suitable travel plan. Similarly, I have become hardened by my daily travel, by road or train. I don’t think that it affects my health or efficiency.
 —Jayesh Chalishajarwala

Better opportunities force long trek
Commuting certainly is a major hassle in a city like Mumbai, but has become a part of our routine now. I spend at least two hours travelling everyday from Bhayander to my workplace in Lower Parel. I would have preferred to work somewhere closer home, ideally at Borivli since it would save a lot of travel time. Apart from spending a lot of time, to some extent travelling long distance regularly for long hours affects our health too. But, for Mumbaikars, the local train has become a part of the routine, moreover they travel for long distances out of economic compulsion. So, despite spending so much time on my daily travel, I’m not complaining. Travelling anywhere in Mumbai takes time.  
—Astileen Rozario

No spare time for self development
I'm happy with the job opportunities that Mumbai has to offer. But the travel to and fro from home to office is arduous. Travelling consumes four hours daily. I'm too fatigued after I have completed my assignment for the day. I have to commute from Navi Mumbai to my workplace at Mulund. Eventhough I like the city, I don't want to stay here for long. If I get a job in the information technology sector in my native state of Bihar, I will leave this city. I want to enhance my educational qualifications, but long commuting hours don't give me any spare time. The average commuting time in the country is 49.9 minutes as against the international average of 30.3 minutes.
—Rajeev Choudhary