Bangalore has emerged as the best Indian city among New Delhi, Mumbai andChennai in terms of better quality of living for expatriates, accordingto a latest worldwide survey of cities by global HR consultancy Mercer.

According to Mercer survey, '2009Quality of Living global city rankings' for 215 cities, Bangalore has toppedthe list among Indian cities, while the country's financial hub Mumbai haswitnessed a drop in rankings this year mainly due to a decline in stability andsecurity conditions.

Among Indian cities, Bangalore has been ranked at the 142nd place this year,down two notches from last year, while Mumbai has been dropped to the 148thplace from 142 position last year, the survey revealed.

However, New Delhi has managed to maintain the same rank this year atthe 145th place in the global list, while Chennai has been ranked at the 152ndplace, the survey revealed. Mercer'sworldwide 215-city Quality of Living Survey, is primarily conducted to helpgovernments and major companies place employees on international assignments.

The Mercer Quality of Living report aims to provide tangible values forsuch qualitative perceptions, in order to establish an effective and objectiveassessment of the quality of living throughout the world, Chakraverti added.

Interestingly, this year's rankings also identify cities with bestinfrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone andmail services, traffic congestion and the range of international flights fromlocal airports.

"As a result of current financial crisis, multinational companiesare looking to review their international assignment policies with a view tocutting costs," Mercer consulting India Global Mobility leader RupamMishra said.