Bhiwandi

2021-06-30T09:52:18Z

103.211.43.39:

{{Multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=October 2012}}
{{original research| date = April 2021}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bhiwandi
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = mr
| settlement_type = Metro<br/>[[Mumbai Metropolitan Region|Mumbai Metropolitan City]]
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|19.296664|N|73.063121|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Thane district|Thane]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body = [[Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Pratibha Vilas Patil, [[Konark Vikas Aghadi]]
| leader_title2 = [[Municipal Commissioner (India)|Municipal Commissioner]]
| leader_name2 = Dr. Pankaj Ashiya [[Indian Administrative Services|IAS]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 24
| population_total = 709,665
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes = {{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 421 302, 421305, 421308
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 02522
| registration_plate = MH-04
| website = {{url|https://www.bncmc.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Bhiwandi''' ({{audio|Bhiwandi.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a city in the [[Thane district]] of the [[Konkan division]] of [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. It is located {{convert|20|km}} northeast of [[Mumbai]] and {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the city of [[Thane]]. The city is a part of the [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]].

Bhiwandi is a commercial city and a major trade center that connects Mumbai and the rest of India through the [[National Highway 3 (India, old numbering)|Mumbai–Agra highway]]. It is known for its textile industry, though in recent years, economic downturn has forced the closure of a large portion of the sector.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shantha|first=Sukanya|date=14 October 2019|title=Bhiwandi's Textile Industry Is Struggling, and Political Apathy at Polltime Isn't Helping|url=https://thewire.in/labour/bhiwandis-textile-industry-is-struggling-to-survive-and-political-apathy-isnt-helping|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-17|website=The Wire}}</ref>

Bhiwandi lies in the Konkan coastal lowland, a region known geographically for its hills and streams. The city houses the [[tehsil]] headquarters of Bhiwandi, and it is administered by the [[Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation]]. According to the 2011 census, the total population of the [[Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation]] area was 709,665.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==History==
Bhiwandi was first inhabited by the [[Koli people|Koli]] and [[Konkani people|Konkani]] peoples, who lived near the Konkan sea coast. In the early 16th century, Bhiwandi had a spice port on the Kamwadi River, now Bunder Mohalla. During the reign of the [[Mughal Empire|Moghul Empire]], the city of Bhiwandi was as Islamabad. There is a mosque named Islamabad Masjid and Eidgah.

In the early 20th century, Bhiwandi was a small town inhabited mainly by Maharashtrians. Their most common occupations were in agriculture, fishing, and weaving. With the decline of the textile industry in Mumbai, Bhiwandi became attractive to textile companies due to its strong and consistent power and transportation infrastructure. With the introduction of electricity, power looms replaced hand looms, and in the 1930s, the city became a hub of the textile industry. The first textile loom was set up by Khan Saheb Samad Seth in 1927.

The rapid boom of the textile industry attracted migrants from [[Uttar Pradesh]] (notably the [[Azamgarh district|Azamgarh District]]), and the population increased dramatically. Although many people of Koli and Konkani descent remain in the city, they have their own customs and speak a different dialect of [[Marathi language|Marathi]].

== Business and employment ==
The city of Bhiwandi has the largest number of [[power loom]]s and handlooms in the country.<ref name="frontline">{{cite journal|last=Katakam|first=Anupama|date=28 February – 12 March 2004|title=Victims of 'new economy'|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2105/stories/20040312006701200.htm|journal=Frontline|publisher=The Hindu|volume=21|issue=5}}</ref><ref name="hinduaug">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/biz/2005/08/08/stories/2005080800431600.htm|title=Deluge takes heavy toll of industry|last=Subbu|first=Ramnath|date=8 August 2005|work=[The Hindu]}}</ref><ref name="toijuly">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1719512,prtpage-1.cms|title=The City Of No Joy|date=2006-07-10|work=The Times of India}}</ref> The majority of the population is employed in the power loom sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mahavir.co.in/Mahavir-Complex.html|title=Redefining Industrial, Warehousing Spaces - Mahavir Complex|work=Mahavir Dev Group}}</ref> The second-largest power loom, after the one in [[Surat]], is located in Bhiwandi. Since 2012, the city's textile industry has been in decline, partly caused by the sudden enactment of new goods and services taxes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Small Businesses Worst Hit By GST, Demonetisation, Says Marico's Mariwala|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/small-businesses-worst-hit-by-gst-demonetisation-says-marico-chairman|access-date=2020-12-12|website=BloombergQuint|language=en}}</ref> Another concern facing textile producers is a lack of contact with buyers, leading many to sell primarily to middlemen, mostly from Gujrat, who charge significant markup prices.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Basu|first=B|title=Crisis in Bhiwandi powerloom sector.|url=https://indiantextilejournal.com/best-stories/crisis-in-bhiwandi-powerloom-sector|journal=Itj Indian Textile Journal}}</ref> Bhiwandi has also a red light area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/ngo-gives-bhiwandi-sex-workers-hope-for-respectable-living/story-gSwU75HvaDWwMMCQnBvvUL.html|title=NGO gives Bhiwandi sex workers hope for respectable living}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/87-of-sex-workers-in-bhiwandi-want-to-quit/articleshow/78946727.cms|title=87% of sex workers in Bhiwandi want to quit}}</ref>

Bhiwandi initially developed as an industrial hub for the textile industry, but more recently has hosted other industries and logistics sectors. Bhiwandi is among Asia's biggest warehousing hubs; its [[godown]]s<nowiki/>are considered Asia's largest.<ref name="economictimes.indiatimes.com">{{Cite web|last=Bhatt|first=Shephali|title=Inside Indian Ecommerce sector's favourite logistics hub: Bhiwandi|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/how-bhiwandi-has-rebuilt-itself-to-become-a-logistics-hub-for-online-retailers/articleshow/72201341.cms?from=mdr|via=The Economic Times}}</ref> It is a major contributor to the logistic landscape of Mumbai and India due to its close proximity to the Nhava Seva port of Mumbai, India's financial capital. Many e-commerce companies like [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Flipkart]], [[Reliance Industries]], [[Snapdeal]], and [[FedEx]] have branches in the city. The city is the next developed region for [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority|MMRDA]], which has developed other regions such as the Bandra–Kurla Complex, Mumbai Metro, Monorail Project, and Eastern Freeway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/amazon.in-to-open-second-warehouse-in-india/1/202488.html|title=Amazon.in to open second warehouse in India|work=intoday.in}}</ref>

Bhiwandi's economy is divided into three sectors: textiles, groceries, and service (supplying, logging, and food delivery). During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], small hotels faced significant challenges, and Crisfood – a food delivery supply chain network – gained coverage and business.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-08|title=From boom to bust: Bhiwandi's textile industry woes {{!}}|url=https://citizenmatters.in/bhiwandi-textile-industry-decline-due-to-gst-and-economic-policies-15159|access-date=2020-12-12|website=Citizen Matters|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2021}}
Bhiwandi's infrastructure is centered around the national highway which passes through it.

Bhiwandi has a large water treatment plant at Panjrapur with 455 MLD capacity, making it one of the largest water treatment plants in Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BMC to upgrade Panjrapur water treatment plant|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bmc-to-upgrade-panjrapur-water-treatment-plant|access-date=2020-12-12|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref>

A city bus proposal was scheduled to be realised in Bhiwandi but was canceled due to the Auto Rickshaw strike. Bhiwandi has a central railway station at Anjur Phata. The train station has a link with the central railways and the local train of Mumbai as well. [[Line 5 (Mumbai Metro)|Bhiwandi Metro Project (Mumbai Metro line 5)]] is proposed with completion anticipated in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mumbai: Metro Line 5 Phase 1 deadline revised to 2024|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/metro-line-5-phase-1-deadline-revised-to-2024|access-date=2020-12-12|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref>

== Transportation ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}

===Roads===
The NH3 highway passes through the city of Bhiwandi. Only auto-rickshaws are available in the city. Bhiwandi is well-connected by all the highways and it is among the largest hubs for logistics and warehouses. The pin code of Bhiwandi is 421308.

===Railways===
Bhiwandi has two railway stations: [[Bhiwandi Road railway station]] and [[Kharbao railway station]], both of which are under [[Central Railway (India)|Central Railway]] administration. Locals commute via passenger trains. The trains connect to central line railways at [[Kopar railway station]], western line railways at [[Vasai Road Railway Station]], and Harbor Line at [[Panvel railway station]].

===Airways===
The nearest airport is [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]], {{convert|45|km|abbr=on}} from Bhiwandi.

==Demographics==
According to the 2011 census, the total population of the [[Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation]] area is 709,665
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Bhiwandi-Nizampur
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hindu]]|Orange|39.34}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslim]]|Green|56.01}}
{{bar percent|[[Jain]]|Brown|2.66}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhist]]|Yellow|1.55}}
{{bar percent|Others|Grey|0.43}}
}}

==Climate==
{{Weather box
|location = Bhiwandi
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 36.3
|Feb record high C = 35.3
|Mar record high C = 37.6
|Apr record high C = 39.5
|May record high C = 42.8
|Jun record high C = 39.6
|Jul record high C = 33.5
|Aug record high C = 33.2
|Sep record high C = 34.5
|Oct record high C = 37.6
|Nov record high C = 36.7
|Dec record high C = 34.5
|year record high C = 42.8
|Jan high C = 29.2
|Feb high C = 30.5
|Mar high C = 32.4
|Apr high C = 34.2
|May high C = 34.4
|Jun high C = 31.2
|Jul high C = 29.1
|Aug high C = 28.6
|Sep high C = 29.4
|Oct high C = 33.3
|Nov high C = 32.4
|Dec high C = 31.2
|year high C = 31.3
|Jan low C = 15.1
|Feb low C = 16.5
|Mar low C = 19.5
|Apr low C = 22.7
|May low C = 25.2
|Jun low C = 25.1
|Jul low C = 24.2
|Aug low C = 23.7
|Sep low C = 22.8
|Oct low C = 22.3
|Nov low C = 19.4
|Dec low C = 16.3
|year low C = -1.1
|Jan record low C = 6.7
|Feb record low C = 8.3
|Mar record low C = 16.5
|Apr record low C = 18.6
|May record low C = 20.2
|Jun record low C = 21.1
|Jul record low C = 19.6
|Aug record low C = 18.9
|Sep record low C = 19.2
|Oct record low C = 18.6
|Nov record low C = 16.5
|Dec record low C = 12.4
|year record low C = 6.7
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 3.6
|Feb rain mm = 1.0
|Mar rain mm = 1.3
|Apr rain mm = 2.0
|May rain mm = 21.3
|Jun rain mm = 502.4
|Jul rain mm = 1015.7
|Aug rain mm = 584.2
|Sep rain mm = 336.3
|Oct rain mm = 95.3
|Nov rain mm = 12.9
|Dec rain mm = 2.0
|Jan rain days = 0
|Feb rain days = 0
|Mar rain days = 0
|Apr rain days = 0
|May rain days = 1
|Jun rain days = 14
|Jul rain days = 31
|Aug rain days = 24
|Sep rain days = 15
|Oct rain days = 6
|Nov rain days = 1
|Dec rain days = 0
|Jan sun= 269.4
|Feb sun= 259.3
|Mar sun= 272.9
|Apr sun= 286.4
|May sun= 295.6
|Jun sun= 143.3
|Jul sun= 73.2
|Aug sun= 71.2
|Sep sun= 157.5
|Oct sun= 234.5
|Nov sun= 245.6
|Dec sun= 254.2
|source = [http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Thane/Climate-%20table.html Government of Maharashtra]
|date = June 2012
}}

==See also==

*[[B.N.N. College]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Mumbai metropolitan area}}
{{Maharashtra}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bhiwandi| ]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Textile industry in Maharashtra]]

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Bhiwandi