Western Suburbs (Mumbai)
Western Suburbs | |
|---|---|
Precinct of Greater Mumbai | |
Western Suburbs precinct is shown in green | |
| Coordinates (Vile Parle): 19°06′N 72°50′E / 19.10°N 72.83°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Mumbai Suburban |
| Metro | Mumbai |
| Wards | HE, HW, KE, KW, PS, PN, RS, RC, RN |
| Area | |
• Total | 242.7 km2 (93.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 6,220,000 |
| • Density | 26,000/km2 (66,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1,705,490 | — |
| 1981 | 2,858,170 | +67.6% |
| 1991 | 3,947,990 | +38.1% |
| 2001 | 5,095,680 | +29.1% |
| Source: MMRDA Data is based on Government of India Census. | ||
The Western Suburbs is the western precinct of the city of Mumbai, India. The Western Suburbs consist of Andheri, Bandra, Marol, Oshiwara Lokhandwala, Borivali, Dahisar, Goregaon, Versova, Jogeshwari, Juhu, Kandivali, Khar, Malad, Sakinaka, Santacruz and Vile Parle. Geographically, the Western Suburbs lie at the western part of Salsette Island, is a continuous urban sprawl spanning the areas from Bandra to Bhayander, which is separated by the Vasai Creek from Vasai-Virar city and Mithi River from Mumbai city district (Churchgate to Mahim).
The Western Suburbs are some of the oldest suburbs of the city. In particular, Bandra has existed as a separate town almost as long as Mumbai. The area started its history as a bunch of fishing villages. River Mithi flows through this area and also serves as a sewage line. In the 1980s, a well-intentioned attempt to set up a new downtown away from Nariman Point resulted in the establishment of the Bandra Kurla Complex. Most of the larger financial banks and companies moved to this place.
Apart from the usual suburban sprawl, this area has some nice beaches, especially near Malad. Jogeshwari has hot springs which are reputed to have medicinal properties. Borivali is the entry point for the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which is why the wildlife reserve is more popularly known as Borivali National Park.
Many software and BPO companies have their offices in and around SEEPZ in Andheri. The western suburbs also have the Juhu Beach. These suburbs can get extremely crowded in the evenings, with very severe traffic jams.