Kandivli
Kandivali or Kandivli (Marathi कांदिवली) is the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway (India) railway line. It is a suburb of Mumbai.
History
Artefacts found near Kandivali indicate that the region around Kandivali was inhabited since the Stone Age [1]. The township was a semi-rural area up to the 1980s, with agricultural land, hutments and villages. With the real estate boom in the 1980s and 1990s, many residential projects started to shift northward. This saw a frenzied construction activity leading to large scale development. The area has also witnessed the highest appreciation in land value in Bombay. The area currently has swank malls, wide roads, multiplexes and numerous flyovers. It is also popular as it is well connected via train and bus. The northern hub of Borivali lies just a few kilometres away, and the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Sahar) lies to the south.
Demographics
Kandivali was long dominated by Gujarati and Marwari communities, but in recent times, due to burgeoning population it has turned cosmopolitan. Numerous hospitals and polyclinics in the region have made the township the centre of medical healthcare in the region.
The original inhabitants are Koli (fishermen), who reside in the Charkop village. Now it is mostly populated by North Indians and Gujaratis. It is one of the densely populated suburbs in Mumbai.
Divisions
Western suburban railway line divides area in two parts as Kandivali (West) and Kandivali (East).
Kandivali (West)
Kandivali (West) includes Parekh Nagar, Dahanukar Wadi, Mahavir Nagar, Patel Nagar, Poisar, Ganesh Nagar, Ekta Nagar and Charkop. It is a beautiful place and a cosmopolitan area. The oldest place in Kandivali is Kandivali Village (Gaon) which comprised of only 5 families in 1800s. It developed a lot in 1900s. The Kandivali village is surrounded by all the basic amenities. It has a school, a college, a market, a temple, a hospital. The Kandivali railway station is just 10 minutes walking distance from this place.
There is a famous Masjid built in around the village area. The Kandivali village is full of Maharashtrians which includes the old families of 1800. The famous among them are Joshis, Kenis, Patils and Kandivalikars. Also there is a beautiful church in the same area. There is a famous swimming pool in Kandivali which was built in 1965. It was a famous hotspot for youngsters in vacations.
Kandivali was under British when they ruled India. They had their base in one of the older n first schools of Kandivali which was N.L.high school. The families in 1800s (Joshis, kenis, patils) did not work. They were landlords of the land of entire Kandivali. Kandivali also has various recreation clubs, parks and malls.
Other notable places in Kandivali(West) are Dahanukar Wadi, Mahavir Nagar, Sai Nagar etc. Charkop is fast developing as a cosmopolitan area.
Charkop Village
The original inhabitants are kolis (Fishermen, who reside in the village of charkop). The famous among them are Kenis, Bhandaris, Patils and Vaitys. The 'Dingeshwar Temple' where all villagers gather to-gether once in a year to worship the god. During these days they perform Palkhi and Satyanarayan Maha-Pooja. There is a Talao (lake) where 'Ganpati Imersion' take place. Apart from one Municipal Marathi School, there is a Secondary School named "EKVEERA VIDYALAY' run by youth of Charkop. The educational atmosphere in the area created by the then organisation 'Purogami Yuvak Mandal, who then founded a Education Trust named 'Shri Ekveera Dnayn Prasarak Mandal' in the year 1982. This Trust run Primary & Secondary Schools in Marathi as well as English mediums.
Kandivali (East)
Kandivali (East) is a cosmopolitan area and includes Ashok Nagar, Thakur Complex, Samata Nagar, Thakur Village and Lokhandwala Complex. It has one of the highest population concentration in Mumbai.
Earlier, the only landmark in Kandivali (E) was the Mahindra & Mahindra Limited tractor division. Now the area has many tall skyscrappers and posh residential complexes.
Thakur Complex
Thakur Complex was developed in 1990s by Thakur & Sons. The Thakur builders also established many educational institutes including Thakur Vidya Mandir and Thakur Polytechnic.
The major Housing Societies in Thakur Complex are Kanakia Park, NABARD Nagar, Highway Park E2-E4-E-5,Gayatri Enclave, Gayatri Avenue, Gayatri Darshan, Gokul Garden, Gokul Galaxy, Shraddha, Sanskruti and many societies built by Surya group.
Thakur Village
Thakur Village was developed after Thakur Complex. Thakur Builders established many educational institutes including Thakur College of Science & Commerce and Thakur College of Engineering & Technology (Thakur Village). They also constructed a multiplex, which started functioning in December 2005.
Thakur Mall is presently the only theater in Thakur Village (September, 2006), but other theatres are coming up. Big Bazaar has started functioning in 2006 and getting popular in very short time. Big Bazaar is located just next to the Western Express Highway. It also has Multiplex cinema.
The burgeoning population of Thakur Village has put enormous pressure on the existing infrastructure. There is only one entry and exit point to the Thakur Village from the Western Express Highway. This causes huge traffic jam during the peak hours of the day. Till such time the proposed Flyover, for which work has started, comes up, the residents shall have to bear with fortitude the enoromous stress caused by the traffic snarls. This is compounded by the very road condition of the highway.
The major Hosuing Societies in Thakur Village are Evershine Millienium Paradise (Phase I to V), Various Societies by the Gundecha Builders(Sunflower, Marigold, Lotus, Cosmos, Gardenia, Aster, Orchid), Gokul Gagan, Challengers (Four Towers), Oberoi Gardens, Oberoi Park View, Viceroy Park, Viceroy Court, Vasant Sagar, Vasant Utsab Sun City, Crystal Avenue etc. There are many societies inhabited mostly by serving as well retired personnel from ONGC. Some of them are ISM House, Mineral House, Vasundhara, Technopark-1, Technopark-II etc.
Lokhandwala Township
Lokhandwala Township mostly comprises of buildings constructed by Lokhandwala builder. With wide tree lined roads and spacious grounds, an air of lazy serenity hangs over the complex. The Township in itself is like a self sufficient suburb within Kandivali, with the newly built Lokhandwala Foundation School in the centre of the complex to the various shops and restaurants catering to every whim of its citizens.
Landmarks
- Fame Kandivali - west
- Growel's 101 Mall - east
- Mhatre Plaza - Dahnukarwadi - west
- Ghanshyam Nagar - east