South Mumbai
Encyclopedia
South Mumbai sometimes incorrectly referred to by English Media (for last 2/3 years only) as "SoBo" (South Bombay), the southern-most precinct of the city of Mumbai
, India
, comprises the city's main business localities and its adjoining areas. It is the richest urban precinct in India, and houses most of the city's elite.
Geographically, South Mumbai lies at the southern corner of Salsette Island
. Although the Constituency of South Mumbai extends from Mumbai Central
to Colaba
, most city residents (new to this city) use the term to refer to the stretch extending from Colaba
to Mahim
,hence including localities such as Lower Parel, Worli
, and Prabhadevi
. This delimitation is also known as Mumbai City or Island City. Notwithstanding, the original residents of this city use the term to refer to the stretch extending from Colaba
to Mumbai Central
. The area is delimited on the east by Mumbai harbour and on the west by the Arabian Sea
.The areas from Bandra and beyond form a part of Suburban Mumbai. See also Mumbai City District
.
South Mumbai is home to the Reserve Bank of India
and the Bombay Stock Exchange
. Its primary business districts are the Fort, Nariman Point
, Ballard Estate
and more recently Lower Parel. Probably all the consulates, museums and old theatres are located in South Mumbai. Many leading Indian and multi-national companies are headquartered here. A few of the city's prestigious schools and colleges are also located here. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
and Churchgate
serve as headquarters and starting point for country's Central and Western Railway
lines respectively.
In South Mumbai, all utility services and civic amenities necessary for smooth commercial trade - such as an uninterrupted supply of power - are available around the clock. A particular feature that distinguishes South Mumbai (or Island City) from the rest of Mumbai is the absence of autorickshaws. Only Yellow-top taxis are permitted to ply in South Mumbai. It houses a significant proportion of prime upmarket residential neighbourhoods of Mumbai including: Peddar Road
, Nepean Sea Road
, Breach Candy
and Walkeshwar Road
forming a sort of golden quadrilateral and also includes some of the richest boulevards in the world, more prominently the Hanging Gardens
, the Altamont Road
, Cuffe Parade
and the Carmichael Road
.
Many distinctive sporting clubs have been an integral part of South Mumbai landscape like the Willingdon Sports Club, the Turf Club
at Mahalaxmi Racecourse
, the Bombay Gymkhana
, the N.S.C.I, and the Malabar Hill Club (Formerly W.I.A.A Club). The CCI
and MCA
are located at Mumbai's two cricket stadiums, Brabourne and Wankhede respectively.
Although land reclamation
has allowed the southern-most tip of the district to double in size since the 1970s, the business districts face an acute shortfall of real estate. As a result, the real estate prices are among the top ten world-wide. In 1995 for instance, short-lease rates in Nariman Point
were pegged at 22,608/m² (US$2,100/sq ft) per year. In 2006, the rates stood at approximately US$4,300/sq ft. In 2008, a legendary Bollywood
actor-cum-MP
paid a record US$3,000/sq ft for a condominium at Hanging Gardens. As a ratio to average per capita
income, real estate prices in the business districts remain the most expensive in the world.
South Mumbai is also the home to several of the city's sporting grounds, including Brabourne Stadium
, Wankhede Stadium
, Cooperage Ground
, Azad Maidan
and Oval Maidan
.
Old Bombay was used to refer to the area which was formed by the merging of the seven original islands
of Mumbai
, India
. The term is now archaic and was used from the 19th century until the 1980s. The more widely used term today is just the word 'town'.
When the islands were merged, the area became Old Bombay. The region north of this became Greater Bombay; now known as the 'Suburbs'. Greater Bombay encompasses an area 5 times the size of Old Bombay.
The region of Old Bombay consists of downtown South Mumbai which is the richest area in India
and the nerve centre of Indian commerce.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, comprises the city's main business localities and its adjoining areas. It is the richest urban precinct in India, and houses most of the city's elite.
Geographically, South Mumbai lies at the southern corner of Salsette Island
Salsette Island
Salsette Island is an island in Maharashtra state on India's west coast. The metropolis of Mumbai and the city of Thane lie on this island, making it the 14th most populous island and the fourth most densely populated island in the world, after Migingo Island in Kenya, Ap Lei Chau in Hong Kong,...
. Although the Constituency of South Mumbai extends from Mumbai Central
Mumbai Central
Mumbai Central , previously known as Bombay Central, is a major intercity railway station and a commuter station in Mumbai. It was designed by the british architect Claude Batley. It serves as the terminal for several long distance trains operated by Western Railway. The station is located in south...
to Colaba
Colaba
Colaba is a part of the city of Mumbai, India, and also a Lok Sabha constituency. During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was known as Candil...
, most city residents (new to this city) use the term to refer to the stretch extending from Colaba
Colaba
Colaba is a part of the city of Mumbai, India, and also a Lok Sabha constituency. During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was known as Candil...
to Mahim
Mahim
Mahim is a neighbourhood in Mumbai. It is also the name of a railway station in Mahim area, on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. In ancient times, the area was known as Maijim, Mejambu, Mahikawati....
,hence including localities such as Lower Parel, Worli
Worli
-History:Worli was one of the original seven islands that constituted the city of Mumbai. Although primarily a fishing village, the Worli Fort, a British fort that is now in ruins, is located there. Its original resident was the legendary Dishankeshwar Kalsi who has also been recognized in several...
, and Prabhadevi
Prabhadevi
Prabhadevi is a small up-scale district neighbourhood of Mumbai city, situated between the Shivaji Park Residential Zone to the north and Worli to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west...
. This delimitation is also known as Mumbai City or Island City. Notwithstanding, the original residents of this city use the term to refer to the stretch extending from Colaba
Colaba
Colaba is a part of the city of Mumbai, India, and also a Lok Sabha constituency. During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was known as Candil...
to Mumbai Central
Mumbai Central
Mumbai Central , previously known as Bombay Central, is a major intercity railway station and a commuter station in Mumbai. It was designed by the british architect Claude Batley. It serves as the terminal for several long distance trains operated by Western Railway. The station is located in south...
. The area is delimited on the east by Mumbai harbour and on the west by the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
.The areas from Bandra and beyond form a part of Suburban Mumbai. See also Mumbai City District
Mumbai City District
Mumbai City District is a district of Maharashtra in Konkan Division. As a city district, it has no headquarters or subdivisions. It, along with the Mumbai Suburban District make up the metropolis of Mumbai. The city area is called the "island city" or South Mumbai or Old Mumbai. It extends from...
.
South Mumbai is home to the Reserve Bank of India
Reserve Bank of India
The Reserve Bank of India is the central banking institution of India and controls the monetary policy of the rupee as well as US$300.21 billion of currency reserves. The institution was established on 1 April 1935 during the British Raj in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of...
and the Bombay Stock Exchange
Bombay Stock Exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located on Dalal Street, Mumbai and is the oldest stock exchange in Asia. The equity market capitalization of the companies listed on the BSE was 1.63 trillion as of December 2010, making it the 4th largest stock exchange in Asia and the 8th largest...
. Its primary business districts are the Fort, Nariman Point
Nariman Point
Nariman Point is Mumbai's premier business district and country's first central business district. It was named after Khursheed Framji Nariman, a Parsi visionary. The area is situated on land reclaimed from the sea. It had the distinction of having the highest commercial real estate rental space...
, Ballard Estate
Ballard Estate
Ballard Estate is an old European style business district situated in south Mumbai next to the 'Fort' area. Located between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the 'Fort' area of South Mumbai, it hosts the offices of shipping companies and the headquarters of the Mumbai Port Trust at the Port House...
and more recently Lower Parel. Probably all the consulates, museums and old theatres are located in South Mumbai. Many leading Indian and multi-national companies are headquartered here. A few of the city's prestigious schools and colleges are also located here. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. Situated in the Bori Bunder area of Mumbai, it was built as a new railway station on the location of the Bori Bunder Station in 1887...
and Churchgate
Churchgate
Churchgate is an area in downtown South Mumbai. During the eighteenth and up to the mid 19th century, Bombay was a walled city. The city walls had three gates, and Church Gate, named after St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai was one of the gates. The gate was situated near the present day location of...
serve as headquarters and starting point for country's Central and Western Railway
Western Railway (India)
The Western Railway is one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest railway networks in India. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Railways are: Ratlam - Mumbai Central, Surat - Mumbai, Surat - Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad - Vadodara and Palanpur -...
lines respectively.
In South Mumbai, all utility services and civic amenities necessary for smooth commercial trade - such as an uninterrupted supply of power - are available around the clock. A particular feature that distinguishes South Mumbai (or Island City) from the rest of Mumbai is the absence of autorickshaws. Only Yellow-top taxis are permitted to ply in South Mumbai. It houses a significant proportion of prime upmarket residential neighbourhoods of Mumbai including: Peddar Road
Peddar Road
Pedder Road is the former name of a busy arterial road in South Mumbai passing through the affluent Cumballa Hill neighborhood. It was named after Mr. W. G. Pedder, Municipal Commissioner . He was in the Bombay Civil Service, 1855-1879, and on his retirement was appointed Secretary to the Revenue...
, Nepean Sea Road
Nepean Sea Road
Nepean Sea Road is an upmarket neighbourhood near Malabar Hill in South Mumbai. The area is named after Sir Evan Nepean, 1st Baronet, a British politician and administrator, and the Governor of Bombay ....
, Breach Candy
Breach Candy
Bhulabhai Desai Road, better known as Breach Candy or Warden Road, is a niche up-market residential and semi-commercial locality of South Mumbai. Home to many of Mumbai's affluent class, it is also the location for the in Mumbai....
and Walkeshwar Road
Walkeshwar
Walkeshwar is an affluent area in South Mumbai, India, at the north-western end of the Marine Drive loop, and is most famous for Walkeshwar Temple and Banganga Tank.-Etymology:...
forming a sort of golden quadrilateral and also includes some of the richest boulevards in the world, more prominently the Hanging Gardens
Hanging Gardens of Mumbai
The Hanging Gardens, Mumbai, in Mumbai, India, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, are terraced gardens perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park. They provide sunset views over the Arabian Sea and feature numerous hedges carved into the shapes...
, the Altamont Road
Altamount Road
Altamount Road or Altamont Road is an upmarket residential street in South Mumbai, parallel to Peddar Road which it meets at the well-known intersection called Kemp's Corner. On Altamont Road are the consulates of Indonesia and of South Africa; on the connecting Carmichael Road are the Belgian,...
, Cuffe Parade
Cuffe Parade
Cuffe Parade is an upmarket neighbourhood in South Mumbai. It is in the southernmost region of the city just north of Navy Nagar. To the north of Cuffe Parade lies Badhwar Park, Ambedkar Nagar the slum area of the Cuffe Parade.-History:...
and the Carmichael Road
Carmichael Road
Carmichael Road is a notable residential road of Mumbai. It is now officially called M.L. Dahanukar Marg.With old style bungalows and apartment houses such as the art deco Kamal Mahal....
.
Many distinctive sporting clubs have been an integral part of South Mumbai landscape like the Willingdon Sports Club, the Turf Club
Royal Western India Turf Club
Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd. is a Indian sports club, into horse racing, established in 1802, which runs the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, and the Pune Race Course.Its also runs an helipad at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.- History :...
at Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Mahalaxmi Racecourse
The Mahalaxmi Racecourse is a horse racing track in Mahalaxmi neighbourhood, of Mumbai. The track is oval shaped with 2400 m straight chute, spread over approx. of open land in the heart of Mumbai city. It was created out of a marshy land known as Mahalakshmi Flats. Built in 1883 and modelled on...
, the Bombay Gymkhana
Bombay Gymkhana
Bombay Gymkhana ,, established in 1875, is one of the premiere gymkhanas in the city of Mumbai, India. It is located in the South Mumbai area and was originally built as a British-only club, designed by English architect, Claude Batley. The Gymkhana Grounds lie in the southern end of the Azad Maidan...
, the N.S.C.I, and the Malabar Hill Club (Formerly W.I.A.A Club). The CCI
Cricket Club of India
Cricket Club of India is located on Dinsha Wacha Road, near Churchgate in Mumbai, India. It is one of the oldest and most well known cricket clubs in India...
and MCA
Mumbai Cricket Association
The Mumbai cricket Association or MCA is the governing body for cricket in Mumbai and its surrounding regions like Thane and Navi Mumbai. The association comes under west zone .The Association was established in 1930 and has a sound ConstitutionThe Mumbai cricket team is the team for The Mumbai...
are located at Mumbai's two cricket stadiums, Brabourne and Wankhede respectively.
Although land reclamation
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
has allowed the southern-most tip of the district to double in size since the 1970s, the business districts face an acute shortfall of real estate. As a result, the real estate prices are among the top ten world-wide. In 1995 for instance, short-lease rates in Nariman Point
Nariman Point
Nariman Point is Mumbai's premier business district and country's first central business district. It was named after Khursheed Framji Nariman, a Parsi visionary. The area is situated on land reclaimed from the sea. It had the distinction of having the highest commercial real estate rental space...
were pegged at 22,608/m² (US$2,100/sq ft) per year. In 2006, the rates stood at approximately US$4,300/sq ft. In 2008, a legendary Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
actor-cum-MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
paid a record US$3,000/sq ft for a condominium at Hanging Gardens. As a ratio to average per capita
Per capita
Per capita is a Latin prepositional phrase: per and capita . The phrase thus means "by heads" or "for each head", i.e. per individual or per person...
income, real estate prices in the business districts remain the most expensive in the world.
South Mumbai is also the home to several of the city's sporting grounds, including Brabourne Stadium
Brabourne Stadium
The Brabourne Stadium is a cricket ground in the Indian city of Mumbai. It is located on 90,000 square yards of reclaimed land along Marine Drive near Churchgate railway station in South Mumbai. The stadium is owned by the Cricket Club of India . Brabourne Stadium is India's first permanent...
, Wankhede Stadium
Wankhede Stadium
The Sheshrao Krushnarao Wankhede Stadium is a cricket stadium in the Indian city of Mumbai. This ground was built after disputes between the Cricket Club of India, which owns the Brabourne Stadium, and the Mumbai Cricket Association over the allocation of tickets for cricket matches...
, Cooperage Ground
Cooperage Ground
The Cooperage Ground is a football stadium in Mumbai, India. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Mumbai F.C. and FC Air India. The stadium holds 12,000 people. The Western India Football Association also operates from the Cooperage Ground. The Mumbai...
, Azad Maidan
Azad Maidan
Azad Maidan is a triangular-shaped maidan in South Mumbai, India. The name Azad means "free" in Hindi. The ground is known for its cricket pitches, for protest meetings, and for political rallies...
and Oval Maidan
Oval Maidan
The Oval Maidan is a large Grade I recreational ground situated in South Mumbai, India. It is named because of its oval shape and is situated just south of Churchgate. It is a popular recreation ground and most popular sports being played there are cricket and football . The ground measures...
.
Old Bombay
Seven islands of Bombay
The seven islands of Bombay were an archipelago of islands that were, over a span of five centuries, connected to form the area of the modern city of Mumbai in India. The seven islands were gradually physically united through land reclamation projects...
of Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The term is now archaic and was used from the 19th century until the 1980s. The more widely used term today is just the word 'town'.
When the islands were merged, the area became Old Bombay. The region north of this became Greater Bombay; now known as the 'Suburbs'. Greater Bombay encompasses an area 5 times the size of Old Bombay.
The region of Old Bombay consists of downtown South Mumbai which is the richest area in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and the nerve centre of Indian commerce.