Airoli

Airoli is an up-and-coming suburban node or part of the City of Navi Mumbai. It's definitely a developing part of the city and is already among the most popular and largest part of this satellite City.

Chances are that many of the Town folks or even those hailing from the Western suburbs may not have been here much and know about this place, but it's an ideal place to invest in right now, as the realty sector in this area is set to boom even more.

Airoli is already a favorite among the BPO and KPO employees who find it easier to commute between the thriving hotbeds of outsourcing and other new economy industries and enterprise that are based around Airoli. The rooms are also cheap and as against the rumors of safety issues, it's a good place to stay which fulfills most of the requirements of a middle-class family.

Although there are a lot of good things to be said about this place, there are some less than perfect aspects that I would like to point out.

Load shedding and power cuts are a reality that many in Airoli, and other parts of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai City proper are faced with everyday and are getting accustomed to. The prices of food and other essentials, as well as consumer durables are higher here for some reason. Although the people are good to you, they know when there is a profit to be made and the price could well depend on what they perceive you to be.

Travel is another hassle that I'm faced with everyday. At least from where I reside, the place seems to be marooned right in the middle of the best way to travel back and forth Mumbai, the Local Trains, and because of this fact, commuting to the city can be a real task that you endure everyday.

The Bus service from the Nahur Station from the Central Line leaves a lot to be desired. At present there are just two buses that ply in this route as per what I know, and if you happen to be lucky enough to find a bus with less than a less than ideal frequency, chances are the driver will rarely halt at the stop or if he does, be ready to get your bones squeezed.

Now you would ask, if I'm so fussy about my mode and the comfort of my travel, why I don’t travel by a rickshaw. I would have, but the journey which should cost me 20 bucks could easily hit me back by 40, with the drivers declining to go past the Toll Station. And some rickshaws don’t even have a meter, and you trust your luck and hope that the journey is worth it.

The only saving grace is, if it is really that is the vehicles that ply employees to and fro from offices that are happy to give you a ride for a slight charge, but make sure you decide on a charge before hand, because ideally it is five Indian rupees, but if the driver or his assistant senses that you are new, you could end up coughing up a lot more.

Although I'm thankful for this alternative transport, I'm not sure whether this is even legal. The real dilemma in mentioning this here is, rather than helping the situation I might end up ruining it. The authorities may end taking action actions against those who are earning an alternative source of income, which is what their general reaction is.

All I can do at present is hope for the best and wish that if anybody does happen to read this, will see the real issue here. Ciao!