India

India is a vast subcontinent with a remarkable mosaic of languages, cultures and cuisines and well known for its warmth and hospitality

Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) is the state capital of Maharashtra and commercial capital of India

Mumbai was a cluster of seven islands, islands namely Colaba, Smaller Colaba, Worli, Parel, Mazgaon, Mumbadevi & Mahim, the seven islands were merged by way of reclamation. Ambitious projects like Town Hall, University Library, High Court Building, Malabar Hill water reservoir, Vihar water supply scheme, and construction of V.T. and corporation buildings and Gateway of India were undertaken and completed. Market places like Crawford Market & Mulji Mehta Market and business places like Stock Exchange (t he Bombay Stock Exchange, the oldest in Asia , currently ranks as the third largest in the world) and Fort Market were established.

In 1853 the first railway line in India between Mumbai and Thane was started. The Mumbai Suburban Railway Network extends from Churchgate to Virar on the west, Mumbai CST to Kasara / Karjat in Central & from Mumbai CST to Panvel on Harbour line.

Mumbai has now grown into a very large metropolitan city. It has earned a reputation of being a main centre of trade, commerce, communications, business, industry, entertainment and tourism in India . No history of Mumbai can be complete without the mention of Bollywood , the biggest Indian film industry which churns out hundreds of Hindi block-busters every year and lures many young star aspirants to the city every year.

Although the old Mumbai has undergone many changes during the last four to five decades, it has preserved its original charm. The real beauty of this city lies in the vivacity and diversity in its culture. People of all regions, religions and communities have settled here for generations and many more come here every day for business, trade, and tourism. Mumbai continues to charm as a magical city of dreams and infinite possibilities.

Although the old Mumbai has undergone many changes during the last four to five decades, it has preserved its original charm. The real beauty of this city lies in the vivacity and diversity in its culture. People of all regions, religions and communities have settled here for generations and many more come here every day for business, trade, and tourism. Mumbai continues to charm as a magical city of dreams and infinite possibilities. Mumbai has now grown into a very large metropolitan city. It has earned a reputation of being a main centre of trade, commerce, communications, business, industry, entertainment and tourism in India.

The harbour and widebay between the city and its main land has allowed Mumbai to be a natural shipping and trading centre.

AREA: 600 Sq. Km

we extend you a warm welcome to AUTOMATION 2013, Mumbai.

COUNTRY- India

State- Maharashtra

Mumbai India Latitite & Longitude 18°54'N 72°49'E.

Capital- Mumbai

Population: Around 15 million

Area

Telephone code: 022

State Language- Marathi

Languages spoken- Marathi, English, Hindi, Gujarati

CLIMATE

Temperate (Humid)
Summer - March to May (Max. temperature 34 o C)
Monsoons - June to September (Average Rainfall: 210 cms)
Winter - October to February (Min. temperature 16 o C)

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

India uses the metric system
100cm = 1meter, 1000 meters =1km, liquids are measured in litres and solids in kilograms.

ELECTRICITY

220volts/ 50 hertz is the frequency at which electricity is available.

CURRENCY

Indian Rupees, Credit cards and Debit cards are acceptable at all major shopping centres, hotels,restaurants etc.

Mumbai’s travel network

Trains

Mumbai has trains connecting it to all the major cities of the country. Intercity trains in Mumbai are very good, and are the fastest and cheapest way to move around in Mumbai. Mumbai is virtually the only place in India where it's worth taking trains for travel within a city. There are fast trains every 10-12 minutes and slow trains, which stop at all stations every 3 minutes. Trains begin operating just after 4 a.m. and run until almost 1 a.m. The service is efficient and easy to navigate but woefully overcrowded. There are special 'ladies only' carriages as well as first class carriages. First class travel costs 10-15 times more than second on single fare.

The most useful service is the Western Railway operating from Churchgate heading north to stations such as Charni Road (for Opera House), Vile Parle (Domestic Airport), Andheri (International Airport & SEEPZ) and Goregaon (NSE Exhibition Grounds).

Western Railway running between Churchgate and Virar.

Central Railway running between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (C.S.T) and Kasara/Karjat.

Harbour Line running between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (C.S.T) and Panvel.

Approach to Venue-NSE Complex, Goregaon (East)

Autorikshaws & Taxis are available from Andheri (East)/Goregaon (East) surface stations, destination name NSE Complex, Goregaon (Landmark next to Nirlon Compound, Opp. Mahananda Dairy).

Nearest surface Station Name: Andheri (East)/Goregaon (East) Distance from Andheri station: 8 KM Distance from Goregaon station: 1 KM

RATES FOR TAXIS/AUTORIKSHAW

FROM ANDHERI STATION

Taxi charge from surface Station Andheri (East): Approx Indian Rs. 125
Autorikshaw Charge from surface station Andheri (East): Approx Indian Rs. 75

FROM GOREGAON STATION Taxi charge From surface Station Goregaon (East): Approx Indian Rs. 30
Autorikshaw Charge from surface station Goregaon (East): Approx Indian Rs. 20

Buses

The Public Bus Service (BEST) is run by a government organization "The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking".. It has a fleet of AC and Non AC buses. . There are newly introduced air-conditioned buses as well. Mumbai's buses are good for traveling short distances in the city.

Getting on a double-decker bus is a good, cheap way to have a look around Mumbai. Route numbers and destinations on the front of buses are written in Marathi; English signs are on the side.

Taxis

Mumbai's yellow and black taxis are a convenient way to travel around the city. A tariff card converting the meter reading into rupees fixes payment. A Taxi ride is the safest bet for a traveller based in South Mumbai. Cool Cabs, blue and air-conditioned taxis are also available

Prepaid Taxis are available at International and Domestic Airport Auto Rickshaws. Auto-rickshaws are confined to the suburbs of the city. There are no Auto-rickshaws between Colaba/Mahim in the west and Colaba/Sion in the east.

All cabs and auto-rickshaws follow a separate midnight fare, which can be verified on a fare card. Insist on paying by the meter-you can pick up a fare card of your own from the local railway station or from any traffic junction.

Useful Information

Approach to Venue-NSE Complex, Goregaon (East)

From Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport Turn right to the Western Express Highway, turn left and use the service road before the Jogeshwari flyover to reach the venue.

Sightseeing in mumbai

Gateway of India

Gateway of India is the landmark of Mumbai city. The monument is situated on the waterfront in the southern part of the city. The gateway is an arch with a height of 26 meters and is made up of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete.

Banganga

Banganga, which once had been a gorge, is today present in the form of a water tank, in the Malabar Hill area of Mumbai (Bombay). To be found in the complex of Walkeshwar Temple, this tank has a mythological legend behind its emergence. Churchgate

Churchgate is a downtown business district in South Mumbai. Imbibing its name from Churchgate Railway Station, the city center is crammed with several offices and banks. However, the railway station is a big hit in the transportation market of Mumbai.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), a railway station, is a brilliant specimen of the Victorian Gothic style of architecture in India. Once called Victoria Terminus, the station is positioned on the suburban railway tracks of Mumbai. CST also serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways of India.

Flora Fountain

Inspired from Flora - the Roman Goddess of Flowers, Flora Fountain is a stone fountain in South Mumbai. Located in the Fort business district, the splendid fountain was built in 1864. It was constructed by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India. Film City

Mumbai is synonymous to the Film City of India. Perhaps this silver screen allures thousands of aspirants, who come to test their fortune in the flicker industry of movies. Bollywood, the Hindi Film Industry, is generally taken for the entire film industry of India.

Mahalakshmi Racecourse

Mahalakshmi Racecourse is actually an elite horse racing ground in Mumbai. This oval shaped ground is to be found in the Mahalakshmi area of India's commercial capital. Leased by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, Mahalakshmi Race Course is run by the Turf Club.

Malabar Hill

Malabar Hill is a small hill in South Mumbai that is quarters to the famous Hanging Gardens, Walkeshwar Temple and Kamala Nehru Gardens of the Dream City of India. In fact, it is the highest point in the city center, with a height of 50 meters.

Mani Bhavan

The Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya is a quaint Gujarati-style house inMumbai where Mahatma Gandhi lived from 1917 to 1934. The three-story home is now a Gandhi Museum that preserves the spirit of the man who put his nation before himself.

Mumbai University

The University of Mumbai, previously called University of Bombay, is amongst the top and oldest universities of India. Honored with a five-star rank by National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), Mumbai University (MU) has its campus in the largest metropolitan city of India.

Nariman Point

Nariman Point is the leading business center in Mumbai, previously called Bombay. Located on the southern end of Marine Drive in South Mumbai, Nariman Point owes its name to Khusheed Framji Nariman - a futurist Parsi, who wished to retrieve the land from the sea in 1940. Prithvi Theatre

Prithviraj Kapoor, a legend in himself, is the source of inspiration behind the establishment of Prithvi Theatre. A well-known theatre of Mumbai, Prithvi Theatre belongs to the Kapoors - the leading actor/director families in Bollywood. Shashi Kapoor, youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor Rajabai Tower

Rajabai Tower is essentially a majestic clock tower in South Mumbai. Located in the precincts of Mumbai University in Fort Campus, right next to the High Court, Rajabai Tower is a beautiful structure, ornamented with oriental figures. Its history reveals that it was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. Town Hall

Town Hall is conceivably the most imperial structure amongst the heritage buildings of Mumbai. Housing the Asiatic Society of Bombay, Town Hall is located in the Fort area of South Mumbai. The pillared monument is even more significant for its exquisite edifice that has old wooden floor. Shopping in Mumbai

Better known as Shopper's paradise, Bombay is a kinda place for those who want to shop the best of articles. Bombay is dotted with number of markets - Chor bazzars, Crawford markets, Dharavi markets are to name some. Purchase best of products as your souvenirs and make your travel to Bombay an incredible experience. For those who like to shop in comfort, the Oberoi and Taj Hotels both boast air-conditioned shopping malls with an interesting range of boutiques

The main areas for getting good clothes are around Colaba Causeway and Fashion Street, which stretches along the Cross and Azad Maidan's. You'll get wonderful faux jewellery here in brass, terracotta and silver for no more than US$ 2 apiece. Barring the Government emporia or some of the elegant boutiques, nobody will raise an icy eyebrow if you haggle.

Breach Candy and Kemps Corner, down the hill from the Hanging Gardens are also popular for their trendy clothes. Wonderful stuff for summer wear, and you can also pick up sequined and embroidered silk blouses and skirts to wear in the evenings.

Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market) is antiquelover's paradise if you like to gamble. Look for anything from brass door knobs to silver "hookaas". For the watchful spender the shopping arcades in five-star hotels like the Oberoi and the Taj Mahal are a treasure trove selling authentic antiques, silks and designer wear.

(Keep in mind that the Government of India does not allow antique over 100 years old to be exported out of the country. If you're in any doubt, the Archeological Survey of India can be of assistance.)

Local traders on Mutton Street, who have been selling at this flea market for generations, stock an eclectic choice of goods ranging from teak and rosewood furniture to crockery, glassware, porcelain, paintings, beads, lamps, masks - and anything else you can think of.

Just a TIP: Bargaining is the norm here !

Zaveri Bazaar (Jewellery Market) is famous for its diamond, gold and silver jewellery. Scores of jewellers line the narrow streets in Mumbai's oldest bullion market.

Besides the markets, Mumbai offers great departmental stores for the tourist in a hurry. Three mentionable places to shop in Mumbai are Eternia at Breach Candy, Shopper's Stop on S.V. Road in Andheri Chembur and Mulund and Crossroads near the Haji Ali Durgah at Tardeo.

Further closer to the exhibition venue you could shop at Hub Mall - next to BEC (Goregaon),Oberoi Mall - next to Hotel West Inn (Goregaon), In - Orbit mall - Link road (Malad) and Hyper city Mall - Link Road (Malad).