Back to Bombay

The flight back to Mumbai was an amazing experience for me. Back in around 1991, was the first time that i remember, seeing two trains going side by side in the same direction. And now in 2007, i saw not two but four planes flying together, circling the city below.

And man, what a wonderful sight, Bombay is at night. The whole city lit up in yellow and red lights, as if lava has flown into the whole city. Main roads and express highways streaking through its face. And, it sure does look exactly the same as shown in a map.

There was the Queen's Necklace, the Mankhurd - Vashi bridge, the JNPT. Not a single area cound be identified that wasnot lit up by lights, indicating inhabitation. Though I did notice a patch of darkness somewhere in the middle. I assume it is the Powai Lake.

Flight traffic has sure increased. The Air Deccan in which I came was also full. And considering, it was Monday, that was quite a turn out. Seeing all those planes flying so close by did give me the slight shivers. What with the pilot quoting the ground speed as 550 miles per hour. The only comforting thought was that Chicago (world's busiest airport) handles more traffic. And this is just Mumbai.

Akka Mumbai mere aankhon ke neeche. Mumbai ka don kaun? Bhiku Mhatre.