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11. Working in Bangalore

Bangalore at a Glance

Expat Info Bangalore

Having a good healthcare plan is essential for expatriates working in Bangalore.

Healthcare

There is no shortage of healthcare facilities in Bangalore, although standards may vary wildly, especially among public hospitals. Since India in general is becoming an increasingly popular destination for medical tourists, numerous highly specialized private clinics have opened in recent years, offering world-class treatment and care to those who can afford it.

While medical treatment in India might not seem expensive compared to Western standards, few Indian people can afford to pay for it, given the lack of comprehensive health insurance coverage among the population. In fact, the private healthcare sector in Bangalore is very much geared at wealthy expats and medical tourists. With a good health insurance package you should have no troubles getting the treatment you require.

The only time when expats are likely to face difficulties is in an emergency situation. Ambulance drivers often have no medical training and might expect instructions from you as to what to do and where to go. Therefore, it’s useful to know where the nearest hospital is or where you (or the person concerned) would like to be taken in case of an emergency.

Some ambulance services, which are not affiliated with a hospital, also lack any life-saving equipment in their cars. It is best to ask colleagues or neighbors for hospitals, doctors and telephone numbers of ambulance services they would recommend, so you will be prepared should you or a family member ever need emergency assistance.

Getting around

Hardly surprisingly for a city with one of the highest traffic densities in India, traveling around Bangalore is not much fun. The only means of public transport are the bus services operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, although a rapid transit system called Namma Metro is under construction and became partly operational in 2011.

The price of single fares and monthly travel passes for MBTC buses often depends on the specific service or type of bus you’d like to use. For more information on routes, fares and timetables please refer to the MBTC website. The Vayu Vajra Airport Service, also operated by MBTC, provides a 24/7 non-stop transfer to the new Bengaluru International Airport on various routes from strategic points all across the city, including the suburbs.

Most expats who have no company car or driver choose to travel by taxi. However, since taxis are only available on call and should be pre-booked at least two hours in advance, taxis in Bangalore don’t necessarily offer the same flexibility as elsewhere. Auto-rickshaws are another option, but only for the more adventurous. Indian Railways provides direct train connections between Bangalore and most major Indian cities, and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates intrastate intercity coach services.

Etiquette Tips

India is a multi-faceted country with a very diverse society, which makes it difficult to give general advice about working in India, or Bangalore in particular. There are, however, a couple of common mistakes made by expats in India, and some pitfalls are easily avoided if you are aware of them.

Indians are very polite, so you are unlikely to receive a straight “no” in answer to a request. Instead, you might hear the standard “that is possible”, which is often mistaken for an affirmative answer by unsuspecting expats. “That is possible” doesn’t necessarily mean that whatever you requested is going to happen. Rather, it implies that it should be possible, while it may need further investigation or persuasion in practice. You should therefore also always be prepared to deal with some negotiations before coming to an agreement.