This City Has Just Been Named The Best To Live In India

Nestled in the middle of the Sahyadri Hills, Pune is a growing industrial and urban hub in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

Located just two hours away from Mumbai, Pune has so far lived in the shadow of India’s financial capital. However, a growing cosmopolitan culture and strong public and private infrastructure have made Pune an attractive destination for Indians living in major urban centres.

Pune boasts a highly efficient public transport infrastructure

The Ease of Living Index 2018 report recently released by India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs ranked Pune as the top Indian city among a total of 111 urban clusters in terms of ‘liveability’. It also ranked the city higher than any other major urban centres, such as Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai, on nearly all parameters.

Why is Pune the best place to live in India?

Pune’s MCA stadium was recently selected as one of India’s six primary test cricket venues

Although an industrial hub, Pune is surrounded by nature. Its hills and green cover give it an edge over India’s pollution crisis that has drastically affected major cities like Delhi and Bengaluru (ranking 68 and 58 on the Ease of Living Index, respectively). Moreover, its wealth of open public spaces, which include parks, gardens on traffic islands and playgrounds, have all increased living standards.

Fans enjoying a concert at NH7 Weekender, one of India’s largest music festivals

Over the last few years, Pune has firmly established itself as a major cultural hub in India. The city routinely hosts some of the biggest festivals and cultural events in the country, such as the NH7 Weekender, which is arguably India’s most popular music fest, along with the important Ganesh Chaturthi Festival (to revere god Ganesha). The presence of India’s most reputed educational institutions, such as NIBM, Fergusson College and FTII, has also attracted a large youth demographic and given further rise to cultural events.

Indian metropolises in a dire state

Pune should certainly be credited for making the city more liveable, however, its ranking above all major Indian metropolises is also largely due to worsening living conditions in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. Delhi’s lethal levels of pollution and other negatives have pushed the city to the bottom of the spectrum in at least four categories.

A view of Rajpath Avenue in Delhi where heavy smog and low visibility have made travel hazardous

Bengaluru, on the other hand, fares only slightly better than Delhi, owing to its increased pollution and legendary levels of traffic congestion. The only bright spot in terms of major Indian metropolises is Mumbai, which ranks third overall and scores high on parameters like economy and employment and its two major satellite cities, Navi Mumbai and Thane, are both featured in the top 10 of the Ease of Living Index.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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