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With so many highway movies doing the rounds, sojourning from city to city and state to state feels like a romantic prelude to a long <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> of self-discovery – till reality strikes. And just like a movie, the reality can be multilayered – varying from bad roads to gasping traffic and minimal road safety. But we promised you relief from those travelling conditions the next time we return with our <keyword id="2053047" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Open-roads">Open Roads</keyword> series. And here we are, with more information about a whole new bunch of <keyword id="2074695" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Intracity-and-inter-city-expressways">intracity and inter-city expressways</keyword> that not only reduce <keyword id="4251245" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Commute-time">commute time</keyword> but also reshape a country’s landscape, <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> and way of life. In the last slideshow of this series, the journey begins from the <keyword id="44875" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-coast">west coast</keyword> and goes down south. 
 As we have mentioned before, expressways are limited-access roads designed for high-speed traffic. The economic impact of an <keyword id="2074705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Expressway-network">expressway network</keyword> criss-crossing the country is all too obvious and the <keyword id="6404450" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Road-Transport-and-Highways">Ministry of Road Transport and Highways</keyword> (MoRTH) has already recommended a total <keyword id="2074707" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="E-way-network">e-way network</keyword> of about 18,637 km in the country. Development work is being done in three phases and is scheduled to be completed by 2022. During the Interim Budget, <keyword id="6355261" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Finance-minister">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="43940" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="P-Chidambaram">P Chidambaram</keyword> also told the Parliament the road network in the country witnessed over sevenfold increase at 3.89 lakh km over the past decade. 
 Does that mean we may soon see an <keyword id="2074709" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="E-way-ecosystem">e-way ecosystem</keyword> similar to the interstate system in the US? Given the obstacles in terms of <keyword id="6364579" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Land-acquisition">land acquisition</keyword>, <keyword id="414903" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="fund-crunch">fund crunch</keyword> and <keyword id="2074714" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Slow-implementation">slow implementation</keyword>, it’s definitely going to take some time. Meanwhile, hop into the driver’s seat and go off exploring some super-fast roads you have not travelled yet. After all, it’s a journey with no end… and wheels will always need roads. 
 
Image: Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images

Be It Intracity Or
Inter-city, These 5 Expressways Make Travelling A Breeze

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've lived in <keyword id="13684553" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bangkok" source="Orion">Bangkok</keyword>, <keyword id="11906678" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="thailand" source="Orion">Thailand</keyword>, off and on for over 10 years. I know it can be tough to navigate. </li><li>Here's my list of the best transportation options for getting to and around the city. </li></ul>I've been hopping around Bangkok since 2010 and can attest that it's not the most straightforward metropolis to get around. Bangkok's transport infrastructure is extensive, and the traffic is notoriously bad, so having a good understanding of the different options and how they work is key to making the most of your time so you don't spend most of it stuck in congestion.Here is everything you need to know about navigating Bangkok quickly and affordably.<h3>Getting to Bangkok</h3>You'll likely be flying into Thailand through Bangkok's international Suvarnabhumi Airport. As the main gateway to Thailand and Southeast Asia, it's one of the world's busiest airports.<div type="image" title="Bangkok, Thailand - April 19 2018: Suvarnabhumi Airport Cowardlion/Shutterstock" height="3333" width="4444" msid="92064169" hostid="261"></div>Suvarnabhumi Airport<a href="https://suvarnabhumi.airportthai.co.th/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Suvarnabhumi Airport</a> services upwards of 90 different airlines. It is a major transport hub for Asia, connecting to all the other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia, which are usually serviced from here by smaller regional airlines, and across Asia with routes from India, Japan, South Korea, and China.There are currently no direct flights from North America to Bangkok (the route to Suvarnabhumi will take you through Doha or Dubai with Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines respectively). There are some direct flights from Europe though, through cities such as London, Paris, and Frankfurt.Once you get to Suvarnabhumi, the airport has a lot to make you feel at ease like free Wi-Fi, a pretty good Thai food court, lots of international dining options, and even a massage spot.If you are just spending a few hours or a day in Bangkok, you might want to consider checking out the luggage storage stand on the basement level. You can store each bag here for 100 baht per day.To get from the airport into the city, there are a couple of options. The <a href="https://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Airport Rail Link</a> on the basement level is the only form of efficient public transport from the airport into the city. It costs 45 baht and takes about one hour to the downtown Ratchaprarop or Makkasan stations connecting to the main BTS Skytrain and MRT underground networks respectively.Otherwise, you need to take a taxi from the ground-floor taxi stand. It's essentially the only other transport option from Suvarnabhumi to greater Bangkok, since rideshares are not allowed to do airport pickups.Staff at the taxi stand speak English and print a slip with your desired destination address on it for the driver. The price runs on a meter costing around 350 baht ($10) to the city center, plus about 150 baht ($4) in surcharges for the taxi stand and expressways. Since the pandemic, there are also extra surcharges for large pieces of luggage too.<div type="image" title="Bangkok, Thailand - May 30, 2015:Don Mueang Airport is the first airport in Bangkok. After closed for several years, it was renovated by the government to become both domestic and international flights. KoBoZaa/Shutterstock" height="3600" width="4800" msid="92064264" hostid="261"></div>Don Mueang Airport<a href="https://donmueang.airportthai.co.th/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Don Mueang</a> is Bangkok's secondary international airport. If you are flying into Thailand from the US or elsewhere, chances are you will be coming in through Suvarnabhumi, but if you are flying in from Southeast Asia or Thailand, you'll probably land at Don Mueang.There aren't very good public transport options to and from this airport, so you'll need a taxi. This can take up to an hour into the city, depending on traffic.<h3>Getting around Bangkok</h3>Bangkok experiences intense gridlock, and public transport can be helpful in this regard. During certain times, like heavy rains and rush hour, long main roads like Sukhumvit and Silom can be congested for hours, in my experience.A fair amount of walking may be necessary from inter-city train stops depending on where you need to go. That's tough when it's hot out, so taxis and motorsai (motorbike taxis) will come in handy, as will familiarizing yourself with water transport for exploring older parts of town.Here are your best transport options for navigating the capital.<div type="image" title="Bangkok's BTS Skytrain&#xa0; Thailand Pietro Lo Casto for Insider" height="1665" width="2220" msid="92064265" hostid="261"></div>BTS Skytrain Bangkok's <a href="https://www.bts.co.th/eng/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">BTS Skytrain</a> system is the city's main public transport vein. It connects to all other transport systems (<a href="https://metro.bemplc.co.th/MRT-System-Map?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">MRT underground</a>, <a href="https://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/home?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Chao Phraya Express Boat</a>, and <a href="https://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Airport Rail Link</a>) and is essential for exploring busy downtown areas with its Sukhumvit and Silom lines.Ticket costs range from 16 up to 59 baht ($0.50 to $1.75) depending on how many stations you are traveling to. Buying a reloadable <a href="https://rabbit.co.th/en/transport/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Rabbit transport card</a> (and returning it when you're finished) is recommended if you plan on using the Skytrain ad MRT a lot. This will save you from buying single tickets for each journey (ticket machines can get very queued up during busy times). You reload it by approaching the ticket-seller booth situated at station exits.MRTYou might also use the main Blue Line of Bangkok's underground MRT system. The MRT is frequented by local commuters more than the BTS Skytrain, as it connects to a broader spectrum of the city beyond the main downtown areas. It does have a couple of stops in Sukhumvit and Silom too though. It's always best to check on Google Maps whether the BTS or MRT will be the closest walking distance from where you want to go.The airport link connects to the MRT at the Makkasan/Sukhumvit station and connects to the BTS Skytrain at the Sala Daeng/Silom, Sukhumvit/Asoke stations, and Mo Chit/Chatuchak stations. It also services Bangkok's railway station, Hua Lamphong, where you may depart or arrive to and from other parts of Thailand. The MRT uses a separate reloadable card system than the Skytrain.<div type="image" title="Boats on the Chao Phraya River combine sightseeing with smooth transportation away from street traffic. Pietro Lo Casto for Insider" height="1666" width="2222" msid="92064266" hostid="261"></div>Chao Phraya express boatThe Chao Phraya River runs through Bangkok, making the Chao Phraya Express Boat reachable via the BTS Skytrain stop, Saphan Taksin, a major means of getting around. It particularly is great for linking to Bangkok's older, historic areas and eases rush-hour traffic on roads. For travelers, it also offers sightseeing, too.Fares, which range from 15 to 32 baht ($0.45 to $1), can be paid at the pier kiosks or on the boat. The <a href="https://chaophrayatouristboat.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Chao Phraya Tourist Boat</a> with the blue flag cost 60 baht ($1.75) one-way (or 200 baht, or $5.86, for unlimited rides) and will let you hop on and hop off at piers located conveniently at important historical and cultural attractions such as the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, the flower market, and the temples Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, as well as the ICONSIAM shopping mall. <div type="image" title="Bangkok Thailand Pietro Lo Casto for Insider" height="1666" width="2222" msid="92064267" hostid="261"></div>Khlong canal boatThe Khlong Saen Saep water bus is a set of big rickety wooden boats that <keyword id="11896628" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="travel" source="Orion">travel</keyword> the Khlong canal, a body of water separate from the main river, Chao Phraya. Used by local commuters to connect from residential areas to the inner city, it makes similar stops as the Skytrain does downtown (for example, to the CentralWorld and MBK malls), it's a transport option you won't take for convenience but for an adventure, since it's totally unique to Bangkok.These boats arrive at stations every few minutes and only stop if you wave them over. At lightning speed, the boat workers jump out and tie the boat to the pier, and you jump right in. A boat worker daringly walks along the edges ticketing passengers (8 to 20 baht depending upon distance).When buying your ticket, say which stop you want to get off at. It'll be your job to watch the names on the piers as they pass by, stand up to signal you'll be getting off, and jump right back out again.Grab rideshare app In recent years, the ride-hailing app <a href="https://www.grab.com/th/en/transport/taxi/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Grab</a> has become a convenient way to book taxi and motorbike rides. These days, it tends to even be more affordable and transparently priced than hailing taxis and motorbikes from off the street. While Uber and Lyft do not operate in Thailand, Bolt has also launched a Bangkok service, although <a href="https://www.grab.com/th/en/transport/taxi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grab</a> is more readily available.The Grab app allows for payments by either cash or credit card, while Bolt only allows cash.<a href="https://www.insider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-traveling-to-bangkok-thailand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Bangkok, Thailand.</a>

I've lived in Bangkok for years and think it's a challenging city to navigate. Here's what any visitor should know about its airports, boats, and trains.

The silicon valley of India, Bengaluru, is too noisy and and perhaps even over-hyped. We aren’t saying this, but the start-ups based out of that region claim as much. So, what are they doing about the situation? A few of them are quietly shifting their base from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=coimbatore">Bengaluru to Coimbatore</a> to avoid the hullaballoo of the state capital and focus on quality. Some of them include Dhruv Kumar of online medical advice platform, iCliniq who shifted to Coimbatore 3 years ago after his 2 year stint in Bengaluru. 
 
"I wanted to be out of all the noise and focus on building a quality product," said Kumar. "There are events all the time and the place is flooded with funding stories. Those days, we thought we were a tech startup and did not focus enough on the health and business side." 
 
A much-focussed development and the wait for the product to mature have been rewarding for him. iCliniq now has more than 1,000 doctors on its platform and they have so far addressed tens of thousands of health issues. It gets a large portion of revenue from the US and Europe. 
 
"Entrepreneurs are celebrated in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/indian-govt-wants-more-indian-airlines-to-take-up-international-routes-says-civil-aviation-minister/articleshow/43165558.cms">Coimbatore</a>," the 27-year-old told ET, cheerfully. The cotton-growing region saw its first industries in ginning and moved on to make garments, machinery, automobile and many ancillary products. It is often called the 'Manchester of South India', drawing comparison with the first industrial city. 
 
Several young entrepreneurs like Kumar, who started up in Bengaluru are shifting to Coimbatore. Do-PartTime, a part-time job discovery portal, is another example and one of the reasons for the shift was talent retention. "Every company has a dynamic workforce, which frequently shifts, and a static workforce with loyalty. In a place like Coimbatore, the teams stick around," said Kumar. 
 
Coimbatore has pleasant weather conditions like Bengaluru and is seeing its fair share of startup activity. The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Know-why-GAP-HM-chose-Delhi-over-Mumbai-and-Bangalore/articleshow/47328005.cms">Coimbatore c</a>hapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a non-profit consortium that promotes entrepreneurship, has identified 47 active startups. 
 
One of the catalysts for them is the educational institutions in the region that have helped establish a sound technical ecosystem, TiE-Coimbatore President Selvakumar said. 
 
There are five incubation centres in and around the city, almost all of them set up by a technical education institution. PSG STEP, the incubation arm of PSG Institute of Technology, was established in 1998, much before any other college, including IIM Ahmedabad, did so. 
 
The centre incubates startups in IT, electronics and mechanical streams from Coimbatore. NanoTechnolgy was added to the list recently. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/be-it-intracity-orinter-city-these-5-expressways-make-travelling-a-breeze/Hosur-Road-Elevated-Expressway-Bangalore-Karnataka/slideshow/30985057.cms">Also Read: Be It Intracity Or Inter-city, These 5 Expressways Make Travelling A Breeze</a> 
 
(Image: Thinkstock)

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Be It Intracity Or Inter-city, These 5 Expressways Make Travelling A Breeze

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I've lived in Bangkok for years and think it's a challenging city to navigate. Here's what any visitor should know about its airports, boats, and trains.

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Move over Bengaluru, Coimbatore is the new start-up city

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