Gas, Electricity

The electric current is 230/400V AC with a frequency of 50 Hertz. Two pin and three pin plugs are used.

Electricity is distributed by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) in Mumbai, and by Reliance Energy, TATA Power and Mahavitaran (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.) in the suburbs. Most of the city's power is hydroelectric and nuclear based. However, electricity shortages are the norm. Consumption inevitably tends to be higher than generation capacity.

Unlike in most western countries, gas is normally provided to households in gas cylinders. This is a privatised set up and you'll have to get a connection from one of the many gas providers in the city. In general, household have two gas cylinders. So when one gets empty, you can use the second cylinder while ordering a replacement for the empty one. Click here for a list of gas agencies in Mumbai.

Water

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) is responsible for providing the city with potable water. Most of this water comes from the Tulsi and Vihar lakes. The water is filtered at Bhandup which is Asia's largest water filtration plant. On an average, 563 million gallons of water is supplied to Mumbai on a daily basis from various sources. Water bills are charged on the basis of the amount of water you use and every house has its own meter to record usage. On an average, the BMC charges a mere six rupees for 10,000 litres of water for domestic consumption and has a system of cross subsidy that charges 150 rupees for 10,000 litres of water consumed for industrial and commercial purposes.