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As the fast-approaching southwest monsoon gradually drowns out the summer, it will also help ease and then erase the memories of a brutal season past. Even then, an unease is expected to continue lingering in the minds of most Indians: something just wasn’t right this year. Studies have already shown time and again that deadly heat is becoming a frequent phenomenon in India. With temperatures expected to touch a scorching 54°C, extreme conditions are rendering an increasing number of places unliveable. This includes India’s highly developed metro cities, which are dealing with their own set of unique heat troubles. Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shed light on an alarming trend: not only are <keyword id="21052325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="keywords">heatwaves</keyword> are becoming deadlier in India’s major cities, temperatures aren’t dropping enough to provide sufficient respite at night either. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Deadlier heatwaves" comment="subhead" text="Deadlier heatwaves">Deadlier heatwaves</cmsannotation> Spanning over 23 years from January 2001 to April 2024, the study meticulously analysed data from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword>. While their air temperatures haven’t witnessed a dramatic rise during the specified period, these areas have continued to witness an increase in their relative <keyword id="20237161" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity" source="keywords">humidity</keyword>. The researchers think that this may also be heightening the <keyword id="21177615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heat-stress" source="keywords">heat stress</keyword> — a measure combining air and land temperatures along with relative humidity — and intensifying the discomfort and <keyword id="19977451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risks" source="keywords">health risks</keyword> for the city’s inhabitants. Another of the main culprits behind the discomfort in Indian metros may be due to the way <keyword id="21384366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-sprawl" source="keywords">urban sprawl</keyword> has spread massively in the past few years. The CSE study found that the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to a significant reduction in <keyword id="20113356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-cover" source="keywords">green cover</keyword>, coupled with a surge in concrete surfaces. In cities like Chennai, green spaces have dwindled by nearly 14% over the past two decades, while concrete infrastructure has doubled. Even Bengaluru, a city earlier famed for its abundance of garden-like spaces, has only 7% green cover left, an earlier IISc study had found. This transformation contributes to the "<keyword id="21843173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-heat-island-effect" source="keywords">urban heat island effect</keyword>," where concrete-trapped heat is making urban regions notably warmer than their rural counterparts. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Minimums on the rise" comment="subhead" text="Minimums on the rise">Minimums on the rise</cmsannotation> However, what’s particularly concerning is the decline in nighttime cooling. Historically, cities would cool down considerably at night, providing much-needed relief from the daytime heat. However, the study reveals that this cooling effect has substantially decreased, exposing residents to prolonged periods of high temperatures without respite. The continuous exposure to heat, compounded by high humidity, exacerbates health risks, making heat stress and related illnesses more prevalent and potentially deadly at lower temperatures. The health implications are dire. The study observed an increase in the number of days with a heat index — what the weather “feels like” — surpassing 41°C in cities such as Kolkata and Chennai. Furthermore, the monsoon season, once a period of relief, now brings hotter and more humid conditions in some cities compared to the pre-monsoon months. As most might know, high humidity undermines the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, increasing the risk of heat stress and related illnesses In response to these findings, CSE Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury highlighted the necessity for in-depth assessments of heat trends, relative humidity, land surface temperatures, and diurnal temperature variations. These assessments are crucial for developing effective heat management plans that extend beyond emergency responses to encompass long-term strategies, such as expanding green spaces, enhancing water bodies, and improving thermal comfort in buildings. The study also called for reversing detrimental land use patterns and implementing scientifically grounded measures to monitor and mitigate urban heat stress. The time for action is now, as the repercussions of inaction could be devastating for millions residing in India's rapidly growing urban centers. The CSE report can be found <a href="https://www.cseindia.org/content/downloadreports/12191" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

<keyword id="20528925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amish-Tripathi" source="keywords">Amish Tripathi</keyword>, the celebrated author behind the best-selling <keyword id="22444346" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiva-trilogy" source="keywords">Shiva Trilogy</keyword> and Ram Chandra series, has made headlines once again for his recent acquisition in Mumbai’s elite <keyword id="22444347" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Upper-Worli-district" source="keywords">Upper Worli district</keyword>. The author, known for his retelling of Indian myths, has invested a staggering Rs 13.65 crore in a luxurious apartment located within the prestigious <keyword id="22444348" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-One-project" source="keywords">World One project</keyword> by the <keyword id="20178245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lodha-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Lodha Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Lodha Group">Lodha Group</keyword>. Situated in one of Mumbai's most coveted locales, Tripathi's new abode spans approximately 251 square metres of sheer opulence. Boasting interiors designed by the renowned <keyword id="22444349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Armani/Casa" source="keywords">Armani/Casa</keyword>, the residence offers a blend of sophistication and comfort. Further, Lodha’s World One project, renowned for its exclusivity and panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, boasts some of the tallest residential buildings in India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111582880" title="How did Delhi-NCR and Mumbai housing prices surge by nearly 50% in five years?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Nestled in the heart of <keyword id="20161525" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Mumbai" source="keywords">South Mumbai</keyword>, Worli boasts a vibrant mix of cultural attractions and recreational avenues. Some notable destinations include the picturesque <keyword id="22444350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Worli-Sea-Face" source="keywords">Worli Sea Face</keyword>, a favourite among joggers and evening strollers, to the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which connects the island city to its northern suburbs. Moreover, the area's upscale dining establishments, boutique shops, and cultural venues ensure that residents are never far from the pulse of Mumbai's dynamic lifestyle. Worli in South Mumbai has long also been a magnet for celebrities and prominent personalities seeking luxury and convenience. Known for its stunning sea views and proximity to Mumbai's business districts, Worli counts several Bollywood stars, industrialists, and sports icons among its residents. Notable personalities that reside here include Shahid Kapoor, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, <keyword id="6354486" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="virat-kohli" source="Orion">Virat Kohli</keyword>, Anushka Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111663953" title="Is the cost of rent finally going down in Bengaluru&amp;#39;s IT corridors like Koramangala and Whitefield?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Even with 7 million books sold worldwide, Tripathi continues to expand his creative horizons. In collaboration with Immortal Studios, Wakaoo Films, and Casa Media, the author has ventured into film production, aiming to bring his novel Legend of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India to life on screen. His latest documentary, Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun, delves into the historical and cultural facets of Ram Janmabhoomi and the life of Lord Ram.

Shiva trilogy author Amish Tripathi buys Mumbai apartment worth Rs 13.65 crores in one of India’s tallest towers

<ul><li><keyword id="2495757" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mumbai-City-FC" source="Orion">Mumbai City FC</keyword> have been drawn against <keyword id="3952158" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="al-hilal-sfc" source="Orion">Al Hilal SFC</keyword> in the <keyword id="67514" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="afc-champions-league" source="Orion">AFC Champions League</keyword></li><li>Al Hilal SFC are record four-time AFC Champions League winners. </li><li>FC Nassaji Mazandaran and PFC Navbahor Namangan are the two other teams in Group D.</li></ul> Indian football fans are in for a treat if all goes well. <keyword id="1910227" type="General" weightage="30" keywordseo="indian-super-league" source="Orion">Indian Super League</keyword> club Mumbai City FC have been drawn against Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League and this means that they might have to face off against their latest mega signing, <keyword id="2407158" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="neymar-jr" source="Orion">Neymar Jr</keyword>. Also in the group (Group D) are FC Nassaji Mazandaran and PFC Navbahor Namangan. Al Hilal SFC are record four-time AFC Champions League winners and finalists in four of the last six seasons, and will present the biggest test for the Islanders. Meanwhile, Mumbai City qualified for the group stage of Asia's premier club competition for the second successive season after winning the 2022-23 Indian Super League Shield and the subsequent Club Play-off against Jamshedpur FC. Al Hilal SFC have recently signed Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr, who had previously won prestigious tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and gold in the 2016 Olympics. The Brazilian is known as one of the most lethal strikers in the game and is touted as a fantastic dribbler of the ball. FC Nassaji Mazandaran, winners of Iran's 2021-22 Hazfi Cup, and PFC Navbahor Namangan, runners-up of the 2022 Uzbekistan Super League, will be making their AFC Champions League debut. Matches will be played on a home-and-away round-robin basis, with the group winners qualifying for the inter-zone play-off semi-finals. India's football footsteps Des Buckingham's side had an impressive outing in the AFC Champions League last season, registering two wins over Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya to finish Group B in second place with seven points. Mumbai City will hope for more of the same this season, with an added advantage of playing on Indian soil. In the AFC Cup, Asia's second-tier competition, India will be represented by continental debutants Odisha FC and qualifying play-off winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Group D (South Zone) of the AFC Cup 2023-24. Bashundhara Kings, winners of the 2021-22 Bangladesh Premier League and Maziya S&amp;RC, winners of Maldives' 2022 Dhivehi Premier League are the other two sides in the group. Odisha FC qualified directly for the group stage courtesy of their 2023 Super Cup triumph and the subsequent Club Play-off win over Gokulam Kerala FC. Mohun Bagan SG, champions of the 2022-23 Indian Super League and winners of the Club Play-off against Hyderabad FC, navigated past Machhindra FC of Nepal (3-1) in the Preliminary Round 2 and Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh (3-1) in the Play-off Round to book an AFC Cup Group Stage berth for the third successive season. Odisha FC will play their home matches at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, while Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan will host Mohun Bagan SG's home matches. (With text inputs from IANS)

Neymar Jr likely to play in India versus Mumbai City FC in AFC Champions League group stage

Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours with gusty winds, a senior IMD official said on Friday. <keyword id="3573341" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-India-Meteorological-Department">The India Meteorological Department</keyword> (IMD) official added that an "orange warning" (indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall) has been issued for the Vidarbha region for the next 48 hours. Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Rtn likely to recv hvy to vry hvy RF in nxt 24 hrs, gusty winds. Ghat areas of M Mah similar pattern with possibilities of isol extremely hvy RF towards Northside. "Similar trend tomorrow too. Vidarbha:Orange Warnings for 48 hrs, KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General IMD (Mumbai), tweeted. <div type="twitter" handle="Hosalikar_KS" handlename="K S Hosalikar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1062298112331403265/3Aifaon9_normal.jpg" favoritecount="43" retweetcount="14" status="📢Palghar,Thane,Mumbai,Raigad,Rtn likely to recv 🌧 hvy to vry hvy RF in nxt 24 hrs, gusty winds.Ghat areas of M Mah… https://t.co/uwD3elkHx6" createdat="1597995929000" id="1296715031497777152"></div> Earlier, Mumbai and Thane received <keyword id="9799087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="widespread-moderate">widespread moderate</keyword> to heavy rainfall over the 24-hour period ended at 8:30 am on Friday. According to the IMD, the Matheran observatory in adjoining <keyword id="566922" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="raigad-district">Raigad district</keyword> recorded 122.20 mm rainfall during the same period. The Alibaug weather station in Raigad district recorded 49 mm rain, while Ratnagiri district in the coastal Konkan region received 83.6 mm rainfall, the IMD said. The Dahanu observatory in Palghar district recorded 67.4 mm rainfall, it said. The Colaba weather bureau, representative of <keyword id="9799088" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbais-island-city">Mumbais island city</keyword>, recorded 63.2 mm rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory, representative of Mumbai's suburbs, reported 31. 6 mm rainfall, it said. <keyword id="9799086" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-thane-belapur-industries-association">The Thane Belapur Industries Association</keyword> weather station recorded 60 mm rainfall during the period, the IMD added.

Orange alert issued for Vidarbha region — IMD forecasts 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar

Mumbai’s Worli area is a power centre of sorts not just because it’s where the elite reside, but also because it houses corporate biggies, rubs shoulders with the finest luxury retail stores and premium entertainment hubs. Yet, it’s no normal concrete jungle where just money is minted. The city’s unique topography brings the glimmering waters of the Arabian Sea close to this area. It is no wonder that the area has many upscale skyscrapers, but <keyword id="8307120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lodha-park">Lodha Park</keyword> doesn’t just stand tall but also stands apart. The exclusive 17-acre development is no normal residence; it is reserved exclusively for those who seek the best that life has to offer. True to its name, Lodha Park, which is spread across 17 acres has reserved seven acres of it for a private park. The park boasts of unrivalled amenities and hospitality managed residences provides you with a luxurious integrated living experience setting new standards in premium housing right in the heart of the city. Location might be the keyword for real estate, but for premium and luxury real estate, it’s all about the view and facilities. Once you enter the development, the view transforms from busy Mumbai streets to an idyllic, harmonious with nature, home that has everything that a resort would have. <div type="Youtube" id="3Ut7JTsevI4" title="A Richer Life at Lodha Park │ Lodha Group" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3Ut7JTsevI4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Picture this: It’s a lazy Sunday morning, and you wake up to feel crisp, cool air kiss your cheek. You look out the window and your eyes meet sweeping views of the azure sea glimmering under the blazing sun. You’d be forgiven for assuming you’ve just awoken in an exotic island resort. The reality, however, couldn’t be more different. This exclusive experience is, in fact, available in the lap of South Mumbai, in the heart of one of its most prime localities—Worli. And, you’re at Lodha Park—a 17-acre township boasting five striking 75-storied skyscrapers that tower over Worli Sea Face, each offering enviable views of the cityscape. Identifying the need for comfort and convenience in a city where time itself is a luxury, Lodha Park has been conceptualised as an oasis of calm to offer residents that much-needed respite in the most luxurious environs imaginable. <div type="image" title="Party Lawn-min 12.19.20 PM" msid="81685136" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prime Living, Personified" comment="subhead" text="Prime Living, Personified">Prime Living, Personified</cmsannotation> Lodha Park immerses you in an indulgent living experience unlike any other. The soaring towers of development—Lodha Allura, Lodha Parkside, Lodha Marquise, Trump Tower and Lodha Kiara— are elegantly perched at the starting point of Mumbai’s Golden Mile, with the double-winged structures overlooking the Eastern and Western Seaboard. But far from being a concrete jungle, this premier residential estate’s distinguishing feature is its sprawling park with over thousands of trees and plants of varied species. All residences straddle this verdant seven-acre space that is peppered with an assortment of areas designed to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Indulge in a spot of gardening at the organic vegetable and herb garden, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the walkways, kick back with your favourite book at the cosy reading nook, or practise breathing exercises at the tranquil meditation pavilion. There are plenty of avenues to be close to nature and breathe in the fresh air and lead a healthy lifestyle. What’s more? The development is also equipped with a pet garden where you can take your pets for a stroll unperturbed. <div type="image" title="NMK01098-HDR-Edit-min" msid="81685165" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Indulgences Galore" comment="subhead" text="Indulgences Galore">Indulgences Galore</cmsannotation> For children aged between two to eight years, a sprawling kid’s play area which offers skating rink, a sand pit, a tempting tree-house promises ultimate enjoyment, while an entertainment zone, complete with video games and board games, is perfect for those aged eight to 14. Parents, too, can cash in on the fun, by spending their weekends at The Jewel—a 50,000 sq ft clubhouse designed by renowned contemporary interior designer Patricia Urquiola, comprising, among other amenities, a world-class spa, a well-stocked library, a private theatre, elegant party venues, and indoor and outdoor sports courts. The creatively-inclined can sign up for dance classes or music sessions organised by renowned trainers, while sports enthusiasts can get their fill of adrenaline rushes by playing a game of cricket on the full-sized cricket pitch (a rarity in a South Mumbai real estate project), taking a few laps in one of the seven swimming pools, or cramming in a workout at the state-of-the-art gym with a world-class fitness &amp; training system. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Lodha Group.

Lodha Park – a richer life amidst nature in the heart of city

<ul><li>Despite having zero Covid-19 cases, people here continue to take precautions like wearing masks.</li><li><keyword id="1802935" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Havelock-Island">Havelock Island</keyword> not only offers some stunning beaches, but it also has some of the top diving destinations in the country.</li><li>If you are hankering for some serious digital detox there is no better place than Havelock - there is limited to zero connectivity on the island.</li></ul> Earlier this month, Dr. Niveditha Vasireddy, a psychiatrist from Visakhapatnam, travelled to the <keyword id="54020" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andaman-and-Nicobar-Islands">Andaman and Nicobar Islands</keyword>. The archipelago, of around 300 islands in the Indian Ocean, is a Union Territory of India, which if you look at the map seems closer to Thailand and Myanmar than to India. She tells Business Insider, not able to control her excitement, how she has never imagined experiencing such clean and untouched white sandy beaches in India. "I mean, you can expect such an experience in countries like the Philippines, but in India... my mind was blown,” she says. <div type="image" title="Elephant beach, Havelock" msid="81127084" hostid="261"></div> The picturesque white sandy beaches of the <keyword id="162996" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andaman-Islands">Andaman Islands</keyword> are not considered by most as an option for a beach vacation. And perhaps it is for the best, because as is the case with most popular tourist destinations, the more touristy they become, the more we expose the location to environmental risks. But if responsible tourism is your jam, and you do not mind paying a little more money for a truly magical experience, then the Andaman Islands is the place to visit. Dr. Vasireddy, along with a few friends, decided to ditch the idea of vacationing in Goa and chose a place where they can get away from it all — plus, there was the added advantage of the location being COVID-free. In fact, it was the first place in India with zero<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/andaman-and-nicobar-islands-indias-first-to-be-covid-free/articleshow/80657352.cms"> active cases</a> as of 03 February 2021. Regardless of the fact, she was pleasantly surprised that people on the Island continue to take safety very seriously and said all the locals were wearing face masks. In case you forget to wear yours, they will politely inform you that if you don't, you will get 'challand’ (a challan). Please note that it is mandatory to present an RTPCR Covid negative test at <keyword id="107932" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PORT-BLAIR">Port Blair</keyword>. The authorities validate the test against the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) website. Only once the validity is confirmed do the officials stamp the document, and without this stamped paper, you will not be allowed to take the ferry to any of the Islands. Flights from all major cities of the country, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi, land at the capital Port Blair. <div type="image" title="Havelock Island" msid="81128095" hostid="261"></div> HAVELOCK ISLAND The island not only offers some stunning beaches, but it also has some of the top diving destinations in the country. It is an excellent place to learn deep-sea diving so that you can explore the underwater marvels. Havelock Island is one of the few places where inexperienced divers can try out a single dive instead of signing up for a full course. The water is teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays and much more. It also has a healthy population of colourful live corals. The best part is that you don't need to be a swimmer to try scuba diving. The crystal blue waters are so clear that you can always opt for snorkelling if you want to skip scuba diving. There is also an excellent night kayaking expedition that takes you through the mangroves. The unreal experience of watching the water bioluminescence below and the sky filled stars above cannot be paralleled. <div type="image" title="scuba diving, Havelock" msid="81126940" hostid="261"></div> There is so much to see in Havelock that it is best to hire a bike or cycle. But we must warn you that while happily cruising on well-made tar roads you may land up literally nowhere. "Some (roads) took us to beaches and others just abruptly ended by fields or the forest," Dr. Vasireddy tells us. <div type="image" title="Roads leading to nowhere, Havelock" msid="81127015" hostid="261"></div> Beaches <keyword id="1578932" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Radhanagar-beach">Radhanagar Beach</keyword> (Beach No.7), Elephant Beach, and Vijaynagar Beach (Beach No.5) are some of the most well-known beaches in Havelock. Radhanagar beach is flanked by the ocean on one side and lush rainforest on the other. This west-facing beach is ideal for catching the sunset. You can also walk down to Neil's Cove, a secluded spot perfect for sunbathing and a spot for swimming in shallow water. <div type="image" title="Sunset at Havelock" msid="81127095" hostid="261"></div> Elephant beach may not be easy to get to, but the beauty of the place more than makes up for the effort. The beach features some bleached driftwood and logs that provide an excellent backdrop for a photo-op. This is also an ideal place to go snorkelling. Vijaynagar beach is where the buzz is. This is where most of the restaurants, hotels and snorkelling centres are situated. The beach faces east and is, therefore, a great place to catch the sunrise. However, because the water is shallow and strewn with rocks, swimming here is not the easiest. <div type="image" title="Red snapper grilled in lemon pepper sauce with rice and roasted potatoes" msid="81127169" hostid="261"></div> Food The local food, if idyllic surroundings are not enough, is usually a combination of Indian and continental cuisine that is absolutely delicious. Dr. Vasireddy recommends - Fat Martin's Cafe in Vijaynagar that serves south Indian food including a delicious Nutella dosa; Anju Coco that strangely enough serves the "best biriyani”; Something Different serves excellent continental seafood pizza and amazing desserts; Moonlight Cafe is great for seafood. The restaurants here are a seafood lovers paradise, serving up a fantastic variety of fresh red snappers, calamari, prawns, and so much more. That being said, there are plenty of vegetarian options too. Accommodation There are plenty of hotels to choose from high-end Taj Hotels to more affordable options like Wild Orchid, SilverSand Beach Resort, Munjoh Ocean Resort and Symphony Palms Beach Resort. The hotels are clean, and most are environmentally conscious. Most hotels and restaurants on the Island provide only RO water and not plastic bottles, as is sadly the norm elsewhere. And if you choose to buy water, the local stores have nothing smaller than 2-litre bottles to reduce the amount of plastic used. <div type="image" title="Bambooka, the government ferry" msid="81127801" hostid="261"></div> How to get there From Port Blair, the best way to get to Havelock is by ferry. The government ferry from Port Blair to Havelock takes around 2.5 hours but please note that the outside deck area has no seating, so you will have to bring something to place on the floor to sit on. The booking process is slightly cumbersome, but you can get a travel agent to take care of everything, which will still be cheaper than private options. MV Makruzz and Coastal Cruise are the private companies that ferry people across to the Island. They take around 1.5 hours to get to Havelock. Connectivity If you are hankering for some serious digital detox there is no better place than Havelock. There is limited to no connectivity on the island. BSNL is the only cellular service that works but the network is patchy. Hotels usually provide wi-fi access, but most are limited to the lobby area. <div type="image" title="Port Blair" msid="81127917" hostid="261"></div> PORT BLAIR While Andaman and Nicobar Islands' capital may not seem all that appealing as a tourism destination, there are plenty of places you can visit while here. There is a high probability of you spending the night there since the ferries to the islands do not operate at night. So depending on your flight timing, chances are, one way or the other you will have to stay in Port Blair. If you opt to stay in Port Blair, <keyword id="10800405" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chidiya-Tapu">Chidiya Tapu</keyword> (Bird Island) is an excellent place to explore. The area offers some fabulous diving spots, including Mundapahad, ideal for beginners and the old shipwreck, a site for advanced divers and home to clownfish, schooling snapper, resting ray and lots of colourful corals. If you want to give the water a break, the place is an excellent spot for birdwatching. The mangroves and rainforests here play host to a bunch of migratory birds and flowers. You can also hike to Mundapahad lighthouse. ReefWatch Marine Conservation, in collaboration with Lacadives, offers an informative mangrove walk (when the tide is out) and informs you about the surrounding ecosystem. <div type="image" title="The view from Mt. Harriet" msid="81127981" hostid="261"></div> Dr. Vasireddy decided to stay at the relatively new Big Tree Resort featuring only eight cabins, an in-house restaurant and a supremely friendly dog called Momo. Momo insists all guests should play with him and will bring you a coconut husk that you need to pry out of his mouth and throw so that he can fetch it, thus providing an excellent way to drive away the blues. <div type="image" title="Cellular Jail" msid="81128022" hostid="261"></div> Another site that may be worth a visit, especially if you are a history buff, is the colonial prison called Cellular Jail (Kālā Pānī) that is where most freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar, were shipped off to before independence. There is an informative light show in the evening and the tour of the jail itself is quite fascinating. <div type="image" title="Limestone Caves" msid="81128047" hostid="261"></div> BARATANG MANGROVE FOREST AND LIMESTONE CAVES To experience the fascinating limestone caves and mangrove forests in <keyword id="5041058" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Baratang-Island">Baratang Island</keyword>, you will have to head to the Jirkatang check post (a little over an hour-long-drive from Port Plair), which marks the beginning of the area where the Jarawa tribes of Andaman Islands live. After the clearance is done, you can drive through Jarawa reserve forest, but note that taking photos is strictly not prohibited. Once you reach the other end, you have to take a ferry to cross the water and arrive at Baratang. Here you can take a permit and board a speedboat to ride through the mangroves and arrive at a trekking spot from where you have to walk for 1.2 km through villages to reach the spectacular limestone caves. The journey may sound daunting, but this is one of the unforgettable experiences you wouldn't want to miss. However, respecting the people's privacy and regulations, particularly of the tribals, is of paramount importance.

Exploring the unreal beauty of the Andaman Islands

Ever experienced a scenic flight <keyword id="2073446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="On-board-a-seaplane">on board a seaplane</keyword>? No, you don’t have to shell out a fortune any more to charter a private seaplane and go flying. From today (February 24), <keyword id="1703859" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="commercial-seaplane-service">commercial seaplane service</keyword> is starting in Mumbai for the first time. And that’s another feather in the cap of the financial capital after the city rolled out the country’s first-ever <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Mumbai-Monorail-IsNow-On-Track-To-Run-From-Feb-1/articleshow/29663991.cms">monorail</a> on February 1. 
 Initially, the <keyword id="509938" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="seaplane-service">seaplane service</keyword> is connecting Mumbai to <keyword id="2073466" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aamby-Valley-hill-station">Aamby Valley hill station</keyword> in <keyword id="6378734" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lonavala">Lonavala</keyword> – a 100 km stretch – and the flight will take just 25-28 minutes or one-fourth of the time taken by a road trip. As of now, there will be just one flight a day and you only get a <keyword id="2073454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Four-seater-Cessna-206">four-seater Cessna 206</keyword> amphibian. But the <keyword id="1429804" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="seaplane-services">seaplane services</keyword> will be scaled up if there is enough response. The flights will be operated by Mumbai-based <keyword id="1392953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maritime-Energy-Heli-Air-Services">Maritime Energy Heli Air Services</keyword> (<keyword id="779896" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="MEHAIR">MEHAIR</keyword>) and a <keyword id="2073455" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="nine-seater-Cessna-208">nine-seater Cessna 208</keyword> amphibian will be deployed if the demand rises. 
 While a seaplane is capable of taking off or landing on water, without an airstrip, there is another variety that can also take off from regular airfields on land. <keyword id="1645279" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="test-flights">Test flights</keyword> for the current stretch took place in December last year and the amphibians landed and took off from the <keyword id="2073458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aamby-Valley-Lake">Aamby Valley Lake</keyword>. 
 
In June last year, Kerala launched the country’s first tourist seaplane service that connects the distant backwater destinations. Similar services are also available in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
 Mumbaikars, however, will have to wait some more for the intracity seaplane flights from Juhu to Girgaum Chowpatty. The <keyword id="190329" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maharashtra-Tourism-Development-Corporation">Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation</keyword> (<keyword id="111420" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MTDC">MTDC</keyword>), along with MEHAIR, had planned it nearly two years ago. But the project got delayed as it was awaiting crucial clearances from several authorities. It has finally got the nod from the <keyword id="6369097" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Defence">Ministry of Defence</keyword> and has also obtained clearances from key agencies including the <keyword id="56306" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Coast-Guard">Coast Guard</keyword>, the <keyword id="42407" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navy">Navy</keyword>, <keyword id="11098" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="police">police</keyword>, the <keyword id="170906" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="urban-development-department">urban development department</keyword>, <keyword id="48434" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="BMC">BMC</keyword>, <keyword id="136514" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-Port-Trust">Mumbai Port Trust</keyword>, the <keyword id="6356826" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="environment">environment</keyword> department and the <keyword id="54875" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Airports-Authority-of-India">Airports Authority of India</keyword>. 
 But to implement this project, MTDC will require to build a <keyword id="2073482" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Floating-jetty">floating jetty</keyword> for ferrying passengers to and fro. It has already earmarked some 5,000 sq km, about 100-200m into the sea and next to H2O, the privately operated water <keyword id="6356028" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sports">sports</keyword> complex. However, a High Court-appointed committee will have to give the go-ahead first before the <keyword id="2073483" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-City-Collectors-office">Mumbai City Collector’s office</keyword> can grant the land near the city’s coast. 
 
Once the last leg of the project is cleared and the seaplane service is launched, the hour-long commute will come down to 5-7 minutes for a one-way fare of Rs 750-1,000. 
 MTDC and MEHAIR are also planning to operate several other routes with no air connectivity. In fact, MTDC has already started working with the irrigation ministry to identify suitable water bodies like dams, lakes and rivers for starting seaplane services across the state. The upcoming destinations could be Lonavala, <keyword id="64488" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mahabaleshwar">Mahabaleshwar</keyword>, <keyword id="46028" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Panchgani">Panchgani</keyword>, <keyword id="143186" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shirdi">Shirdi</keyword>, <keyword id="2073489" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shani-Singnapur">Shani-Singnapur</keyword> and <keyword id="680155" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Trimbakeshwar">Trimbakeshwar</keyword> – most of them are either popular <keyword id="476562" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="tourist-attractions">tourist attractions</keyword> or noted <keyword id="680154" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pilgrimage-sites">pilgrimage sites</keyword>. So fasten your seatbelt and be ready – these amphibians are all set to take you on a discovery flight of a lifetime – over land and water. 
 
With input from Agencies. 
Image: Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images

After Monorail,
Mumbai Gets Commercial Seaplane Service; Now Fly To Aamby Valley
Under 30 Minutes

The clouds hang low in <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>. It feels like if you stand on your toes and stretch high enough, you probably can grab a fistful. The skies often look like walls instead of ceilings and while the pretty island hosted us, these walls were various shades of red. Literally a hop away from the mainland, with flight tickets from down South being cheaper, Sri Lanka is an obvious name on the Indian travellers’ list. But it is also one that often comes far below the lot, because, you know...it’s RIGHT there. It’s the ‘right there’ places that we neglect and push away for times when we are short of money but have a few days to <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword>. And that has also been true for me, till I got to change that. Sri Lanka has been on my go-to list for over a year, and high up enough. And then I flew through a glorious sunset and landed in rain-splashed <keyword id="6364814" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="colombo">Colombo</keyword>. Colombo’s weather reminds you of Kolkata or Mumbai, with a shade less of humidity but infinitely more pleasant and fresh. The wide roads took us to the <keyword id="719382" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> that was hosting us for the next two nights - <a href="https://www.aathma.com/">Aathma Colombo House</a>. Nestled right next to the Diyawanna Lake, this property is cloaked in green. There isn’t a single spot in the house where you don’t feel transported to another space and another time. Cocooned in that space with the colourful tiles, enough trees to cleanse your soul, a lake stretched out ahead and a pool with night jasmine flowers floating across the ripples - a break from the city hustle seemed to have begun. One of the most vital things in Sri Lanka is the food. Of course. Their breakfast spread has very often been called the best in the world and no, they were not exaggerating it in the least. Besides your delectable Sri Lankan tea, juice and a side of fresh fruits a normal breakfast includes a variation of hoppers, string hoppers, pol roti, kiribath, pittu and pongal served with fish, chicken or potato curry, dhal and a sambol. <div type="image" title="Food photo 1" msid="65674130" hostid="261"></div>

Sri Lankan breakfasts are probably one of the best meals we have ever eaten. This was one of the spreads at the Airbnb property that hosted us in Colombo <div type="image" title="Food photo 2" msid="65674131" hostid="261"></div>

Besides your delectable Sri Lankan tea, juice and a side of fresh fruits a normal breakfast includes a variation of hoppers, string hoppers, pol roti, kiribath, pittu and pongal served with fish, chicken or potato curry, dhal and a sambol The majority of the carbs are rice flour-based and have coconut shavings or coconut milk in it, as does the protein curry preparations. The flavours are very similar to a lot of Thai curries and South Indian curries you may have tried but it feels so much more wholesome and comforting. Or perhaps it was just the weather. And worry not, even after that breakfast, you will be more than ready for lunch. But nothing, no other spread could beat what Sri Lanka unleashes for breakfast. Our Day 1 in Colombo was about press conferences, a long lazy lunch and then a drive around the city. The capital city of this island country is historically steeped in stories. While a glance at the beaches being constructed around the lighthouse for new construction might greatly disappoint you, the city has maintained a lot of its old heritage buildings (many of them are being restored) and a walk around them is highly recommended. You need time, and lots of it, to soak in the feel. 
 <div type="image" title="Property pic 1" tempid="176929" msid="65674211" hostid="261"></div>

Nestled right next to the Diyawanna Lake, Aathma Colombo House is cloaked in green 
 <div type="image" title="Property pic 2" tempid="176931" msid="65674212" hostid="261"></div>

Each section of this property is specially curated to suit the mood 
 <div type="image" title="Property pic 3" msid="65674132" hostid="261"></div>

The common dining area on the property 
 <div type="image" title="Property pic 4" msid="65674133" hostid="261"></div>

If all this is not chill enough, head over to the pool! 
 <div type="image" title="Colombo view" msid="65674134" hostid="261"></div>

Colombo is a whole chapter of stories waiting to unfold 
 <div type="image" title="Colombo Independence Memorial" msid="65674135" hostid="261"></div>

 Colombo is a city with picture-perfect properties, great places to dine, party, shop and the best place to explore the rest of the country from. And not just because the airport is here. Colombo prepares you, most gently, for the experience called Sri Lanka. That’s what it did for us as it nudged us on our long drive to Galle on a fresh sunny morning. Roughly 125 kms away from the capital city, Galle is a world away from the bustle. It’s balmy, slow, languid and almost dreamy in its slow-mo pace. This city used to be Sri Lanka’s main port till Colombo took over the title, so as you might have guessed, the sea is everywhere, mostly a stone’s throw away. And that feeling is magical, also borderline terrifying all at the same time. Honestly, that fear (which only I seem to have it seems, at least amongst the other people I know) is not irrational. Galle was one of the cities that was hit hardest by the 2004 tsunami. Most of the people here lost everything they had and had to start their lives again from scratch. Galle is on the mend and has been for a while, but what remains are the stories and nothing, absolutely nothing can take away that tenacity and the will to fight on from this charming coastal haven. The old city of Galle lies ensconced within the walls of the majestic <keyword id="3244683" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Galle-Fort">Galle fort</keyword>. The fort is called a ‘living’ one because there are residential properties, offices, hotels, churches, shops etc that are up and running for years. Parts of the fort have also been transformed to museums, the road pavings are intact, the doors, windows and arches are still the same and some of the oldest offices have been left as they were, still functioning. Galle is a time-warp. You drive through the fort gates and you are suddenly thrown back a good few decades. And each part of the city has a special feeling to it. Right outside the dark-wood Dutch doors of our hosts in Galle, the <a href="https://yarahotels.lk/">Yara Galle Fort</a>, the serene blue sky, the swaying palm trees, the sea in the distance, boys playing football in the evenings - it reminds of you of a slow town where neighbours greet each other in the morning as you have your perfect cup of tea. It feels strangely like home. 
 <div type="image" title="Galle view" tempid="176947" msid="65674213" hostid="261"></div>

Galle is laid-back time warp 
 <div type="image" title="Sea view" tempid="176954" msid="65674214" hostid="261"></div>

You are always just a breath away from the sea at Galle Walk around the bend into the Dutch Hospital precinct and the yellow walls of the fort on your left and the old courthouse on your right transports you to a chapter in history. There were proceedings going on inside the courthouse while lawyers, in their tiny old offices tapped away at typewriters - there wasn’t a computer in sight. There was something overwhelmingly nice to see piles and piles of documents stacked on shelves. The whole universe seemed to have turned 360 degrees, but Galle was right where it was. 
 <div type="image" title="Galle Fort 1" tempid="176999" msid="65674215" hostid="261"></div>

Parts of the Galle fort are still used for thoroughfare 
 <div type="image" title="Galle Fort 2" tempid="177010" msid="65674217" hostid="261"></div>

Other parts of the fort have been turned into museums 
 <div type="image" title="Galle Fort 3" tempid="177011" msid="65674218" hostid="261"></div>

Built by the Dutch, the fort was eventually taken over by the British who ruled over it till the country got its independence in 1948 
 <div type="image" title="Fort views" msid="65674136" hostid="261"></div>

The views from the fort are spectacular While most people head to Galle for the beaches, you cannot afford to miss a walk around the fort with a local who knows the city like the back of his hand. That’s what Ateeq did for us. This is also the perfect time to point out that the Galle Fort walk is a part of the Airbnb experiences. Experiences are area/location-specific activities that you can book just the way you book a room on the site. For example, Sri Lanka offers experiences like surf lessons, yoga lessons, forest trails etc (you can book a walk with Ateeq <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.in/experiences/257167?source=pdpother">here</a>) . You don’t even need to be staying in an Airbnb to be able to book an experience. 
 <div type="image" title="Walk through Galle fort" msid="65674137" hostid="261"></div>

Our walk through the Galle Fort The walk conducted by Ateeq includes a long stroll all around the fort as he points out the important sites and anecdotes that only a local can offer - like pointing out the spot where every kid in Galle learns to swim. The walk ends with some incredible gelato in the heart of the fort where all the restaurants and cafes are. 
 <div type="image" title="Old jetty" msid="65674138" hostid="261"></div>

One of the oldest jetties in Galle. This is also where the local kids learn to swim After our long, long stroll, we headed to Dewata Beach, a little drive away from Galle, for our first surf lessons. Hosted by Oshan Diluk, these <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.in/experiences/308477?source=pdpother">lessons</a> are your baby steps into an adrenaline overdose. It’s harder than it looks and you will have enough salt water in your system to never need any seasoning in your food again - but you must try this. The <keyword id="443950" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lagoon">lagoon</keyword> where the lessons are have been chosen because of its shallow waters and small waves. And the instructors are incredibly, incredibly patient - which is a huge plus. 
 <div type="image" title="Surfing 1" msid="65674139" hostid="261"></div>

You start with the basics 
 <div type="image" title="Surfing 2" msid="65674140" hostid="261"></div>

Then drag yourselves to the sea 
 <div type="image" title="Surfing 3" msid="65674141" hostid="261"></div>

 Finally, you try to ride the waves Our first day ended with a laid-back dinner at Unawatuna beach, which is also a short drive away from Galle. And even before we could forget how good the local beer and the fresh-grilled seafood tasted like, we were on the way to the airport. 
 <div type="image" title="Unawatuna" tempid="177039" msid="65674219" hostid="261"></div>

The buzzing Unawatuna beach 
 <div type="image" title="Yara Galle fort" tempid="177040" msid="65674221" hostid="261"></div>

Yara Galle fort was our host in the city 
 <div type="image" title="Last breakfast" tempid="177051" msid="65674222" hostid="261"></div>

How could we leave without this? 
 <div type="image" title="Sri Lankan tea" tempid="177045" msid="65674223" hostid="261"></div>

And You cannot miss the Sri Lankan teas when you are there Now, the important deets The Sri Lankan currency conversions are easy - one Indian rupee converts to 2.27 Sri Lankan rupee. Withdraw your money at the airport right from one of the ATMs or change it from Dollar/Euro/whatever you please. For an Indian, the Sri Lankan visa will set you back by $20 (₹1,500 roughly). While you can easily get a place on Airbnb starting from ₹2,000 a night, the experiences come from anything between ₹1,500 to ₹5,000 or more. All of this of course depends on the city you are visiting and what you want to try for yourselves. Sri Lanka was a rush. But it was an exhilarating rush that soothed you and pushed you ahead all at the same time. I am certain all of us were making mental plans to plan a longer trip soon, but then, there we were, flying back to our desks and our laptop screens. I am writing this roughly three weeks after returning from the magnificent island. And I can’t wait to go back. The reporter was invited by Airbnb for this trip.

That island in the sun: The Sri Lanka experience

The sale of residential <keyword id="-460" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate-in-mumbai" source="Orion">real estate in Mumbai</keyword> is not only higher than pre-covid levels but stands at its highest in the last 10-years in July 2021. Going by the recent trends, a substantial push came from the millennials. It demonstrates yet another behavioural change induced by the COVID-19 pandemic as these millennial cohorts were once perceived to be more inclined to rent a home as opposed to buying one. According to <a href="https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/India-millennials-growth-sectors">reports</a>, there are over 400 million millennials in India, which is higher than the entire population of the US. Now aged between 25-40 years, millennials in India comprise one-third of its total population and 46 % of the country’s total workforce, with a spending capacity of $3.6 billion. The millennial generation is generally defined as people born between the mid-1990s to early 2000s, more specifically within the 1981 to 1996 period. In India, the millennials are considered profligate spenders and a generation that seeks instant gratification, not worrying or planning much about the future. As proponents of the sharing economy, they would rather use ride-share apps like Ola and Uber than buy a car, look after its repair, fuel, and pay EMIs. The same logic applied to owning a house too. They would prefer to rent a house than buy one, pay maintenance and EMIs. This behaviour by the millennials held true till early-2020 before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. The same millennials have shown a marked change in their habits. <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/real-estate/millennial-prefer-home-ownership-over-renting-survey/article33861200.ece">Reports</a> indicate that this largest spending cohort of people is now turning serious in their spending. Two factors could be playing a part in this behavioural pattern change, one is the coming of age of the millennials and in many cases, they are the sole providers of their families. Experts <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/expert-speak-why-millennials-wont-settle-for-small-cramped-city-homes-anymore/">believe</a> that the second reason for the change in spending priorities is the pandemic induced lockdown that revealed the handwriting on the wall - the non-sustainability of the ‘reckless’ spending and the advent of WFH with its wide acceptance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What’s driving this change in sentiment?" comment="subhead" text="What’s driving this change in sentiment?">What’s driving this change in sentiment?</cmsannotation> A recent news <a href="https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/millennials-borrowed-for-health-and-credit-refinancing-in-2020-survey-11614249892908.html">report</a> highlights this shift in the spending pattern of millennials from borrowing for lifestyle and recreational purposes to serious priorities like home repairs and medical emergencies in the family. Another study by Standard Chartered Bank discloses that as a cohort the millennials are the most inclined to conscientiously strive for their far-sighted monetary objectives. The study specifically shows that 48% of the Indian millennials who are saving for a substantial buy like a car or a house whereas only 28% of the 45+ generation. This matured approach to financial matters also reflects in a recent study by 360 Realtors, a renowned name in <keyword id="6354553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate" source="Orion">real estate</keyword> advisory services, wherein 3/4th of millennials expressed their desire to purchase a residential property in the next three years. A similar report by Anarock Property Consultants echoes the same intent mentioning that 55% of total buyers looking to buy their own homes are from the millennial age group. This number stood at 42% last year. 68% of the millennials polled by Anarock indicated that these home purchases were for their own end-use. Nobroker.com, a leading real-estate platform, says that millennials as a group constituted 63% of all its buyers amongst its entire user base, up from 49% from the pre-covid period. For the city of Mumbai, the millennials buyers were 74% of all the buyers across all the age groups. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The COVID-19 impact &amp; rising need to own a home among millennials" comment="subhead" text="The COVID-19 impact &amp; rising need to own a home among millennials">The COVID-19 impact &amp; rising need to own a home among millennials</cmsannotation> While the pandemic has largely been instrumental in the shift in millennials’ mindsets towards buying homes, other significant factors are influencing this decision. The success of the WFH model means both employers and the millennial employees view a hybrid model of work wherein one does not have to go to an office every day as a sustainable framework of the future of work culture. This also means that the idea of career mobility and city-hopping for jobs is not at the forefront and a hybrid model of work. The major constituent, which is fulfilling the millennial aspiration of buying a house of their own in Mumbai into a real possibility is the lowest ever interest regime prevailing in the current times. The easy availability of credit and having experienced the flexibility and commute-less remote work means that the millennial buyer can now fulfil his bigger home dreams away from the island city to accommodate his/her remote WFH and their children’s online schooling in extended suburbs of MMR. The combination of record-low interest rates that have limited scope to reduce further and incentives by government augur well for both the millennial buyers of first-time home as an end-user and ones looking at a second home for investment. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article in partnership with Lodha Group SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/enterprise/enterprise-software/news/saas-company-icertis-is-looking-to-hit-the-public-market-next-year/articleshow/85786657.cms">After Freshworks, Icertis is looking for an IPO for next year in the US</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ami-organics-wants-to-become-debt-free-post-the-ipo/articleshow/85781458.cms">Ami Organics wants to become debt-free post the IPO, to cut dependence on China in the coming years</a>

Changing landscape of real estate in India — millennials are driving the demand

<ul><li>Heavy water-logging reported from the traditional flood-prone areas of central Mumbai like Sion, Matunga, Kurla, Chunabhatti, Mazagaon, Masjid Bunder, and Byculla. </li><li>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert with a forecast of heavy rainfall at some places in Mumbai and Thane on September 22. </li><li>The Central Railway has suspended suburban services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Thane and Vashi. </li></ul>Torrential rains that have been lashing Mumbai overnight may intensify today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert with a forecast of heavy rainfall at some places in Mumbai and Thane on September 22. <keyword id="6385438" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="heavy-rains">Heavy rains</keyword> have led to waterlogging in several parts and disrupted road and rail traffic on Wednesday morning. Rains across the island city and the western suburbs picked up late on Tuesday evening. There were intense spells across Mumbai for a few hours overnight. <div type="twitter" handle="kumarmanoj12998" handlename="Manoj kumar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1265222237487054848/PBoOGKCT_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="#MumbaiRains https://t.co/NuFRASKFSk" createdat="1600831498000" id="1308608269217226752"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="MehulJa39129390" handlename="Mehul Jain" image="http://abs.twimg.com/sticky/default_profile_images/default_profile_normal.png" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="1" status="#MumbaiRains its been raining since 10hours now in Mumbai https://t.co/mu7VdpdZwR" createdat="1600831332000" id="1308607572849512448"></div> On Wednesday morning, public transport services were hit, and normal life was affected in the financial capital due to heavy downpour and waterlogging. According to KS Hosalikar, deputy director-general of IMD, 122.2 mm rain was recorded at Colaba and 273.6 mm at Santacruz till 5.30 am. <div type="twitter" handle="JrinceP" handlename="PJrince" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1115521641491173376/QJJMkI7i_normal.png" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Mumbai Meri jaan . This is new normal for #mubaikars . #BMCMumbai #MumbaiRains #SmartCity #ClimateChange https://t.co/F5Fr2g9Zin" createdat="1600831360000" id="1308607688008318976"></div> Heavy water-logging reported from the traditional flood-prone areas of central Mumbai like Sion, Matunga, Kurla, Chunabhatti, Mazagaon, Masjid Bunder, and Byculla. <div type="twitter" handle="gchopra31" handlename="GIRISH CHOPRA" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/780718014735847424/qLo_FYVY_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6" retweetcount="0" status="Water logging in Agripada since 4 am.....almost 1 feet water in all shops....visuals at 8.00 am...#MumbaiRains https://t.co/su370b195N" createdat="1600829469000" id="1308599756738838529"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="arya_7302" handlename="Arya Ghadigaonkar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1268090045434486785/VLtblNsi_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1" retweetcount="0" status="Welcome to the Island City #MumbaiRains #BycullaEast #waterlogging #mumbai #BMCMumbai https://t.co/dogTopKY1I" createdat="1600830623000" id="1308604596021936128"></div>Several areas in the suburbs like Goregaon, Malad, Dahisar, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Mulund experienced waterlogging. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has <a href="https://twitter.com/mybmc/status/1308595968216977408">asked</a> all public and private establishments, except essential services, to stay shut. <div type="twitter" handle="MumbaiPolice" handlename="Mumbai Police" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1279638470957268992/ZcluxvRr_normal.jpg" favoritecount="70" retweetcount="10" status="Around 6 inches high water logging at Andheri Subway. However traffic has been resumed and police personnel from D… https://t.co/2HFPqcTwcq" createdat="1600830806000" id="1308605364728782848"></div> The Central Railway has suspended suburban services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Thane and Vashi. "Due to heavy rain and waterlogging in Sion-Kurla and Chunabhatti-Kurla, traffic has been suspended on CSMT-Thane and CSMT-Vashi sections for safety reasons," he said. <div type="twitter" handle="TOIMumbai" handlename="TOI Mumbai" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1282401595/icon_512_normal.png" favoritecount="5" retweetcount="1" status="Watch: Railway tracks submerged at Sion railway station in #Mumbai following heavy downpour(Video credit: ANI)… https://t.co/Vv8feOQ7zR" createdat="1600831414000" id="1308607915205427201"></div> Special shuttle services are being run between Thane- Kasara, Thane-Karjat, and Vashi-Panvel stations, while several long-distance trains have been rescheduled. The Western Railway also said its suburban train service has been suspended due to heavy rain and waterlogging between Churchgate-Andheri stations. However, local trains are running normally between Andheri and Virar. <div type="twitter" handle="abpmajhatv" handlename="ABP माझा" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1272466382693650432/CF-b9im2_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5" retweetcount="1" status="#MumbaiRains LIVE UPDATE | पावसामुळे रेल्वे रुळावर पाणी साचल्यामुळे लांब पल्ल्याच्या काही गाड्यांच्या वेळा बदलल्या… https://t.co/Uw1Xihs6DI" createdat="1600831308000" id="1308607471259234304"></div> The public bus service of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has also been hit due to waterlogged streets, and traffic diverted at several locations. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/mukesh-ambani-reliance-retail-gets-its-second-investment-in-two-weeks-kkr-invests-5550-crore/articleshow/78267281.cms">Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail gets its second investment in two weeks – KKR invests ₹5,550 crore</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hindustan-unilever-chairman-is-urging-the-government-to-spend-more-to-boost-consumption/articleshow/78267444.cms">Data shows why HUL Chairman is urging the government to spend more to boost consumption</a>

Mumbai Rains: Heavy rains cause waterlogging, cancellation of several local trains — IMD issues orange alert for Thane, Mumbai

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In major cities around the world, housing is becoming less and less affordable.</li><li><keyword id="11894426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tokyo" source="Orion">Tokyo</keyword>, <keyword id="6355311" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="japan" source="Orion">Japan</keyword>, is a notable exception, with prices barely rising since 1995.</li><li>The US has restrictive, often absurd regulations, and should instead mirror Tokyo.</li><li>Jairaj Devadiga is an economist specializing in public policy and economic history.</li></ul>In major cities around the world, housing prices have spiraled out of control.In California's Bay Area, the median house price is <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Bay-Area-home-prices-just-hit-a-record-high-Will-16186890.php">$1.3 million</a>. In Vancouver, the average household <a href="https://www.nbc.ca/content/dam/bnc/en/rates-and-analysis/economic-analysis/housing-affordability.pdf">must save for 34 years</a> to make a down payment on a house, and put aside 85% of its pre-tax income for mortgage payments. In Sydney, a decrepit house without any toilet facilities <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/an-uninhabitable-house-without-a-toilet-kitchen-or-power-sold-for-3-5-million-after-a-heated-bidding-war-in-australia-as-people-worldwide-scramble-to-buy-homes/articleshow/84038750.cms">sells for $3.5 million</a>.In this sea of craziness, Tokyo has been an island of sanity. Its housing prices have <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-housing-crisis-in-japan-home-prices-stay-flat-11554210002">barely risen since 1995</a>. This is not due to deflation either.While the population of Japan as a whole has been shrinking, Tokyo has been growing. Between 1995 and 2019, the population of Tokyo grew by 2.17 million, or just above 90,000 per year on average. To accommodate all these new people, lots of housing had to be built. Over the same time period, there was an average of 153,000 housing starts annually.A <a href="https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/job-creation-and-housing-starts-in-cdas-largest-metro-areas.pdf">study</a> by the Fraser Institute illustrates what happens when housing supply fails to keep up with demand. Between 2015 and 2019, 120,000 new jobs were created in Vancouver and Toronto. In the same time period, there were only 57,000 housing starts every year. Since demand was growing more than twice as fast as supply, prices skyrocketed. The same story played out in almost every major city. Lots of new jobs being created, lots of people wanting to move, and not enough homes being built for all of them.There are numerous bad policies which prevent the construction of more housing. Chief among them are restrictive zoning laws. In most cities with expensive housing, vast swathes of residential land are reserved exclusively for single family homes. Until very recently, the worst of the bunch was San Jose, with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/18/upshot/cities-across-america-question-single-family-zoning.htm">94% of the land being off limits for apartment buildings</a>. No wonder it is the <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/09/06/san-jose-tops-list-for-least-affordable-housing-in-u-s/">least affordable</a> city in America.Not only does this make housing costlier for middle and low income folks, but also <a href="https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2018/02/building-regulations-subsidize-mansions.html">subsidizes mansions for the rich</a>. The land on which a mansion sits would be worth a lot more if an apartment building could be built on it. The developer would make a profit even if they sold each apartment at an affordable price.However, because that's not allowed, developers won't bid for that land, thus driving down its price.While Tokyo does have low density zones, these do not prohibit multi-family buildings. Thus it is not uncommon to see a three story apartment building right next to a single family home.Apart from zoning, cities dictate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adammillsap/2019/05/08/minimum-lot-size-regulations-mean-less-housing/?sh=317e920c575b">minimum lot sizes</a> and maximum floor area ratios (how much of the plot is covered by the building itself), which further stifle construction. In <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/fsi-increased-for-residential-commercial-buildings-in-mumbai">much of Mumbai</a>, for instance, the floor area ratio was capped at 1.33 until 2018.This had the disastrous result of pushing poor people into slums, as they could not compete with affluent families for the limited housing. In 1971, 22% of Mumbai's population lived in slums. By 2010, this had <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/62-of-mumbai-lives-in-slums-census/story-I3bUsll9w5f6ePEfuXJEbM.html">risen to 62%</a>. By contrast, Tokyo allows floor area ratios <a href="https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&amp;httpsredir=1&amp;article=1173&amp;context=crpspontext=crpsp">as high as 13</a>, and even higher with government permission.Another problem is cities <a href="https://www.sightline.org/2017/12/19/when-historic-preservation-clashes-with-housing-affordability/">wanting to preserve too many historical sites</a>. For instance, cities often declare old homes or commercial establishments to be historical monuments, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-06-02/taix-preservation-housing">which prevents them</a> from being torn down and replaced with apartment buildings. In some cases, cities prevent development even when the historical monument itself would be untouched. For instance, last year, a historic preservation board in Seattle rejected a proposal for a 200-unit apartment building <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/miami-beach-on-elliott-bay-opponents-decry-proposed-12-story-pioneer-square-tower/">because it would be taller than nearby historical monuments</a>. While Tokyo has historic buildings, its criteria for preservation are much stricter and thus don't get in the way of <keyword id="11897453" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="affordable-housing" source="Orion">affordable housing</keyword>.Another important factor in raising housing prices is over-regulation. A <a href="https://www.nahb.org/-/media/NAHB/news-and-economics/docs/housing-economics-plus/special-studies/2021/special-study-government-regulation-in-the-price-of-a-new-home-may-2021.pdf">recent report</a> by the National Association of Home Builders estimates that regulations add almost $94,000 to the price of new homes. The vast majority of these regulations are purely aesthetic, such as mandating certain types of landscaping and architectural styles, or banning vinyl sidings. This is not exclusive to American cities. A <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tweaking-building-regulation-can-reduce-housing-cost-by-34-study/articleshow/81299282.cms">study</a> on India's Ahmedabad shows that unnecessary regulations add 34% to the cost of housing. By contrast, Tokyo has very few common sense regulations; mainly to protect against the frequent earthquakes. As long as developers follow these and the very liberal zoning laws, they are free to build as they please.At this point, you might wonder why these restrictive rules persist if they are so obviously bad. Why is liberal city-planning the exception, rather than the norm? To answer this, we must examine the policy making process itself, to understand the motivations of all participants.Consider San Jose, with its 94% single-family zoning. The politicians in San Jose were catering to the wishes of their constituents; the people already living in San Jose. Those voters wanted high prices. To them, their house is an investment, which would lose value if more housing were built in their neighborhood. It would also result in new neighbors bringing in a different culture from what the residents are used to.People who wanted to move to San Jose, but couldn't due to high prices, would benefit from more liberal planning. They might live in different parts of California, or even in other states. Obviously they don't get to vote in San Jose elections, thus local politicians have no incentive to help them.The same process plays out across every city, resulting in sky-high prices.At the state or national level, though, the political calculus changes completely. People in a particular city might want to restrict housing development, but everyone else wants more. Thus state and national politicians have an incentive to liberalize.This is exactly what happened in Japan. It too had local governments choking the housing market, resulting in a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_asset_price_bubble#Asset_prices"> massive housing bubble in the 1980s</a>. This prompted the national government to enact a series of reforms to rein in housing prices.The national government formulates building codes, zoning laws, and other city-planning regulations for the entire country, giving very little leeway to local governments.Recently, governor Gavin Newsom<a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-09-17/newsom-housing-sb9"> did something similar in California</a>, by finally abolishing single-family zoning statewide, and also loosening some other restrictions.To win elections, local politicians must necessarily keep down the supply of new housing. It is up to state and national governments to deny them that power, and quickly. Otherwise, home-ownership will remain a pipe-dream for most people.

America's big cities are turning into housing catastrophes. If we want to fix this mess, we should try and copy Tokyo.

<ul><li>Heavy showers overnight and early Wednesday morning caused waterlogging at many places in the metropolis, disrupting rail and road traffic.</li><li>Rains across the island city and the western suburbs picked up late Tuesday evening. There were intense spells across <keyword id="6358070" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> for a few hours overnight, an official said. </li><li>The Santacruz observatory (in western suburbs) received 286.4 mm rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Mumbai centre Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar said. </li></ul> Mumbai received one of the highest showers in the last 24 hours of this monsoon season and more rainfall is likely in the city and suburbs on Wednesday, a MeT official said. Heavy showers overnight and early Wednesday morning caused waterlogging at many places in the metropolis, disrupting rail and road traffic. Rains across the island city and the western suburbs picked up late Tuesday evening. There were intense spells across Mumbai for a few hours overnight, an official said. The Santacruz observatory (in western suburbs) received 286.4 mm rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Mumbai centre Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar said. The Colaba observatory (in south Mumbai) recorded 147.8 mm rainfall during the same period, he said. "Mumbai received one of the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours," Hosalikar said, adding that the city and suburbs are likely to receive heavy showers on Wednesday also. According to the IMD, rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 and 64.5 mm is moderate and above 64.5 mm is heavy. Since June 1 this year, the Santacruz observatory has so far recorded 3,571.1 mm downpour, while the Colaba observatory has recorded 3,147.3 mm rainfall during the period, the official said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/narendra-modi-ayushmann-khurrana-and-ravindra-gupta-are-the-indians-on-the-times-100-most-influential-people-of-2020/slidelist/78268854.cms">Narendra Modi, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sundar Pichai, Bilkis,and Ravindra Gupta are the Indians on the TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2020</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bilkis-the-dadi-from-shaheen-bagh-is-now-one-of-the-worlds-most-influential-people/articleshow/78268667.cms">Bilkis – the ‘dadi from Shaheen Bagh’ is now one of the world’s most influential people</a>

Mumbai suburbs witnessed over 280 mm rain in 24 hours, says IMD

Mumbai, May 14 () Among the most populated andcongested areas of Mumbai, Dharavi may have had a delayedentry into the COVID-19 health crisis, but with over 1,000cases, it has certainly found itself in a precarious position.In less than 45 days, Asia's largest slum has recorded1,028 cases and 40 deaths, indicating the extent and intensitywith which the virus has spread there.With 66 fresh cases detected on Wednesday, Dharavi'sCOVID-19 tally crossed the 1,000 mark.It has just been 43 days since the city's mostcongested ward detected its first case at Dr Baliga Nagar onApril 1, setting the alarm bells ringing for the city'sadministration.The progression was, however, slow in the area and ittook a little over a fortnight for Dharavi to add 100 cases toits tally and by May 3, it crossed the 500 mark.According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation'sdata till May 6, the doubling rate of COVID-19 cases inDharavi was six days and majority of the patients were in theage group of 31 to 40 years.Located at the north end of the island city, Dharavihas a population of around 6.5 lakh and is spread over 2.5 sqkm area.With a population density of 2,27,136 persons per sqkm, Dharavi is a sort of ticking time bomb for the civicadministration, which is working on a war footing to containthe pandemic, a health expert said.According to BMC sources, the civic body has beensupplying essentials and medicine in 213 containment zones,which have reported coronavirus cases.Raju Korde, president of Dharavi Punarvikas Samitisaid lack of proper sanitation facilities and crowded housingconditions were primary reasons for the spread in the area."Dharavi has small congested houses and narrow lanes.Hence, even if the BMC creates containment zones, it'simpossible to follow the norms of social distancing," Kordesaid.Volunteers from the organisation were distributingsanitisers and immunity boosting homeopathy medicines toresidents, he said.According to civic officials, Dharavi has around 225community toilets, 100 public toilets and 125 toilets built bythe Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority."As hundreds of people use common toilets in the area,the risk of coronavirus spread is high, which is why theselavatories have to be cleaned regularly," said a BMC officer.Dharavi has nine municipal dispensaries, 50 privateclinics apart from fever clinics.Altogether 47,500 people from the high-risk zones and1.25 lakh residents of containment zones of Dharavi have beenscreened so far, according to BMC data.As per the data, around 4 lakh Dharavi residents havebeen screened with the help of 24 private practitioners. KK ARU VTVT VT

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