Bhiwandi is known as `The Manchester of India` due to the presence of largest number of power looms in the country. It is also one of the major textile hubs of India. Bhiwandi is considered as part of the Greater Bombay metropolitan agglomeration, along with New Bombay and the cities of Kalyan, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Dombivli, Mira-Bhayandar and the Vasai-Virar region. The exact location of Bhiwandi is 19.293831degreeN - 73.065839degreeE.
Bhiwandi lays in the Konkan coastal lowlands. There are many hills surrounding Bhiwandi, which add to the scenic beauty of the place. The average elevation is 24 m. The Vharala Devi Lake is the largest lake in Bhiwandi and this places also known as jungle of power looms.
History of Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi was a small town in the early Twentieth century. At that time the main occupation of the people was agriculture, fishing and handlooms. However with the introduction of electricity, the handlooms were replaced by power looms. It also had trading business of woods and spices. It belonged to Konkani Muslim families, especially the Bubere, Patel, Madoo, Khatib ,Kazi, Fakih, Narvil and Agha families. In 1930`s this place was renowned as a textile industry.
Transportation of Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi is connected to other major cities by means of air, rail and road. The most important mode of transport is the highway. Due to regular traffic blocks in the city there are two flyovers. In order to distribute traffic there is an alternate subsidiary road. The major mode of transport in Bhiwandi is auto-rickshaw. But the rickshaws here do not use meter system but operate on a stop-to-stop system. There are predefined stops on every arterial route.
There are buses running every half an hour to depots like Mumbai-Central, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai, Wada and Borivilli. The Thane Municipal Transport operates bus services from Bhiwandi to Thane, and the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Transport operates bus services from Bhiwandi to Kalyan. There are no intra-city buses within the city, but the BNMC is planning a bus system soon. The nearest airport from Bhiwandi is in Mumbai.
Economy of Bhiwandi
The economy is mostly dependent on the power loom industry. The powerloom sector gained momentum with the decline of Mumbai`s textile mills. It became the largest power loom centre in the country. It is the `mother godown` for several industries as well as the transit point for several goods transporters owing to the octroi benefits that can be availed there.
As per the 2011 census, Bhiwandi has a population of 621,547.
