Hyderabad tops quality of living rankings

Hyderabad has been adjudged the best Indian city in terms of the quality of living for the third year in a row in 2017, according to Mercer’s Quality of Living survey. However, the survey puts the government on notice by highlighting deteriorating civic conditions in the city.

Despite slipping three ranks in the global index, the survey said, “Hyderabad continues to score high, in comparison with other surveyed Indian cities, on account of lower crime rate as violence is uncommon in Hyderabad and in general, the police force is efficient and reliable.”

However, Hyderabad, Mercer said. has slipped five ranks from 139 last year to 144, on account of decreased power supply and water availability. “The power supply in Hyderabad is irregular, and voltage changes can be frequent. Most households and businesses use generators to provide a back-up supply. Water availability is occasionally restricted in some areas. In April 2016, the city experienced a severe water crisis due to drought,” it said.

The rankings were based on the city’s political and social environment, economic environment, sociocultural environment, medical and health considerations, schools and education, public services and transportation, recreation, availability of consumer goods, housing, natural environment.

In terms of Quality of Living, Pune is the second best city in India, with a global rank of 145, followed by Bengaluru (third in India, 146th globally), Chennai (fourth in India, 151st globally), Mumbai (fifth in India, 154th globally), Kolkata (sixth in India, 160th globally) and New Delhi (seventh in India, 161 globally).

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Ruchika Pal, principal and india practice leader, global mobility, said: “The survey highlights that Indian cities, which have been part of the survey, haven’t made much progress on the quality of living scale since last year.”

The only exception is Chennai, whose score has marginally improved mainly on account of public transport, including buses and a recently expanded two-line metro system, and improved availability of expat housing.

While New Delhi scores well on account of its airport facility, availability of international schools and low probability of natural disasters. These positives are compensated by negatives like a ‘notorious’ crime rate, air pollution and water availability.