Bombay, renamed Mumbai, could well be any other metropolitan city in the world, with its skyscraper-filled skyline. However, that is where the comparison ends, for the integral part of Mumbai lives and works at sea level and at the street level- in its old crumbling homes flanking lanes and even narrower bylanes. Like all big cities, Mumbai too shows its seamy sides in the slums. It has the ‘honour’ of having Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, in its folds. ‘Jhuggis’ (hutments) exist cheek-to-jowl with ‘ivory towers. For its teeming population, home in Mumbai could be along the railway tracks, under bridges, in massive, unused pipes, nesting against the walls of textile mills – or in the plush highrises along the western front the island.

By Air The domestic airport at Santacruz, 26 km from the city centre, is well served by all domestic airlines. connecting Mumbai with almost all the major cities in the country. Sahar International Airport, 30 kms from the city centre is India's major International gateway and is served by a host of International airlines.

By Rail Mumbai is the headquarters of the Central and Western Railways. Regular train services connect Victoria Terminus and Mumbai Central stations to different parts of India.