News: B'lore, Hyd rooms costlier than Paris, London

(TNN 06/04/2006) Washington - You know India’s economic boom has gone over the top when the US declares Bangalore to be more expensive than Paris, London, and Tokyo when it comes to accommodating its diplomats.

In a dubious upgrade, the US State Department’s per diem for accommodation in two of India’s premier “boom’’ cities is among the highest in the world: $299 for Bangalore and $268 for Hyderabad.

In comparison, the per diem for accommodation in Paris and London is $261, and for Tokyo, widely regarded as the world’s most expensive city, it is a mere $189.

Evidently, it’s just the shortage of hotel rooms and the rising costs thereof in India’s boom cities that has persuaded Uncle Sam to pony up top dollar for its mandarins. When it comes to meals and miscellaneous expenses, the Indian cities are still relatively cheap.

Bangalore is $299 plus $92 per day (for food and miscellaneous expenses) for a total of $391 and Hyderabad is $268 plus $81 ($349). In contrast, the tab for Rome is $299 plus $168 ($467) and for Paris it is $261 plus $142 ($403).