Getting Settled in Mumbai

Its been a year since I last wrote my blog. And there is good reason too for this. During this year I completed my final year at IIMK, majoring in Finance and Strategy, and have taken up a job with a leading foreign IBank in Mumbai .So my tryst with Mumbai seems to continue.Very typical I guess, nothing extraordinary there.

But in the meanwhile I also decided to get married, which is scheduled in July. The build up upto it has been quite a battle, which is the gist of the story here. And no this does not concern some filmy family drama where I take up swords against my inlaws etc. to get my bride. All is harmonious up till now at my hometown, Ranchi where my wedding is scheduled (Fingers crossed!!)

The battle or war as I should call it is happening here in Mumbai. Now everybody seems to be on war footing here so please ignore this post if you are a typical Mumbaiite, and these skirmishes are part of your regular palette. The different battles are listed below, and they have been named after typical landmarks of the places where they have been fought

Battle of Mahakali:

It started with the work place. Now any service professional will tell you that you are not allowed leaves in your probation period, (3-6 months) depending upon the company. My company has a similar policy. So the first battle was to ask for a leave within my probation period. Procrastinating it for a week I finally gathered courage to tell my bosses about my plans (getting married, taking a leave etc.). I was expecting a firm no or a discouraging answer but instead I got an extra 5 days for honeymoon too!! Now that was easy and sweet. Thats why I listed it down first.

Battle of Cosmo Lake

The second battle concerns my apartment. I first tried to get one near my work place in Mahakali Caves Road, but most of the apartments shown to me resembled the current state of Mahakali Caves (run down and non-descripit). So finally I decided to take up a place near my friends' place in MHADA, infront of the Powai lake. Here I must thank my friends who have given a homeless guy, refuge for almost a month now, which is a big favour in this crowded city. The flat I saw has a good view of the lake and thats what attracted me to it. Although the building is not is the best state, like all MHADA buildings but its reasonably good.

The second part of the battle is more interesting. Now this building allows only married couples, and technically I am not married. So first I had to lie to my land lord, then the Society to allow me entry. I told them that the wife will come later, I am getting the flat settled in the meanwhile. Nothing illegal here as my fiance and me will be married when we finally start staying here.

There was a lot of running around to do before I got the NOC, including going to the registration office in Chembur, getting police verification, getting interviewed by the Society officials, besides running behind the broker, till I finally got the NOC for entry into the building. Phew!!

Battle of IIT Gate

The next logical step was to get a gas connection. Here are the details of HP gas, connection which I have applied for:

One copy of license and lease doc

Deposit for One cylinder 1250
One regulator 150
Govt. Stamp Duty 100
Rubber Tube 180
Service Charges 50
Cost of 14.2 kg full cylinder 336
nozzle checking 198
S.V. Cover 10
Something I didn't understand 15
Deluxe Double Burner stove 1540
Total 3829

Note: rates as of date of blog

One can take another cylinder only after 2 months of connection, but the delivery time is horrible. 1.5 months as has been conveyed. Sometimes it happens pretty soon and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Bharat Gas in East Kanjurmarg seems to be having a better turnaround time (3-4 days), but going there was a tough ask, given my tight schedule, hence I opted for this connection. Indane only gives one connection so that option was not good for me.

This has been my experience till date of settling down from scratch in Mumbai, watch this space for more adventures very soon.