‘We don’t want to settle in a city that never sleeps’

“A city like Bombay, like New York, that is a recent creation on the planet and does not have a substantial indigenous population, is full of restless people. Those who have come here have not been at ease somewhere else. And unlike others who may have been equally uncomfortable wherever they came from, these people got up and moved. As I have discovered, having once moved, it is difficult to stop moving…”
—Suketu Mehta in Maximum City:
Bombay Lost and Found

The title of the book, Maximum City, has become almost synonymous with Mumbai. It still remains the city of dreams for many, but not necessarily a city that many see themselves settling down in future. According to the Quality of Life survey by DNA and AZ research, more than two fifth of adults don’t like Mumbai and one third have their own compulsions for not willing to stay in Mumbai.

Simply put, Mumbai’s stature as the glamour, glitz and commercial capital of India may attract people from all over the country, but a majority would prefer to move out and relocate to a more serene destination in India.

There are several reasons for this, some of which we are familiar with. The snail’s pace at which the infrastructure projects are making progress, the potholes that you bump into, the omnipresent traffic are all constant reminders that one has to give up a lot to simple pleasures to make a living in the city of possibilities.

Arpit Sharma, who is a territory manager with a pharma company, says, “Mumbaikars are hospitable, but I hate the slow progress of the city’s ambitious infrastructure projects. Rains play havoc in the city and the attitude of the city’s cops and civic administration is terrible. I plan to move to the US for a better lifestyle and income. If I stay in India, then probably I’ll relocate to Bangalore or Delhi.”

That’s the unusual bit — the love-hate relationship with the city. Rajni Bakshi, author and freelance writer says, “Despite all our complaints about traffic jams and pollution, most of us enjoy the energy of the city. Anyone who has the option financially would seek a more peaceful place. But almost all the people I know who have the second serene home elsewhere still live in Mumbai most of the time. The city would be better with more open, green spaces that everyone can enjoy and with less honking. And if I have to live in a metro, I’d rather live here than anywhere else.”

There are some who would want to move back to the city where they grew up. Rubina G, an interior designer, says, “The work culture in Mumbai is amazing compared to my experience in Delhi. However eventually, I would love to go back and stay in Jaipur (my hometown) which is far more peaceful and less polluted.”

There are many others who would like to move to a new city altogether. Twenty five-year old Daksh Juneja who is originally from Dehradun, wants to move to a developed and planned city like Chandigarh. “It’s the most organised and systematic city. Mumbai is bursting at its seams. Now other cities too have great work opportunities.”

And there are some like Khushbu Rege, a social media catalyst who has been born and brought up here, who would eventually like to move out to explore a new city. “The traffic scenario is just worsening everyday and the pollution levels are rising. I want to move to Bangalore since it’s an upcoming hub and there are equally good work opportunities over there.”

So has the disappearing lush greens, the continuous in-flow of migrants, the mushrooming slums, lack of open spaces, the growing political and religious bigotry, skyrocketing prices of the real estate taken the sheen off aamchi Mumbai? For many Mumbaikars, the answer is yes.