Badlapur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Badlapur
type=suburb
metro=mumbai
other_name=
distance_1=67 |direction_1=SW |destination_1=Mumbai
mode_1=rail
distance_2=44 |direction_2=West |destination_2=Navi Mumbai
mode_2=road
distance_3=125 |direction_3=SE |destination_3=Pune
mode_3=rail
skyline= Bad2.jpg




seal_size = 50px
latd = 19.15
longd = 73.262
state_name = Maharashtra
district = Thane
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name= Nandkishore (Ram) Patkar
altitude=44
population_as_of = 2004 | population_total = 140,917 | population_density = 3355
area_magnitude =
area_total=42
area_telephone = 0251
postal_code= 421 503
vehicle_code_range = MH-05
footnotes = | Badlapur, also known as Kulgaon-Badlapur, is one of the fastest growing towns in Mumbai Conurbation, India.

Badlapur is 5 kilometers from the railway station. Due to the population growth in the nearby cities, many people working in Mumbai have moved to Badlapur for affordable real estate prices, pleasant weather, beautiful location and quiet neighborhoods along with a proximity to Mumbai by the Central Railway, one of the two nationally owned operating companies that form the Mumbai Suburban Railway and that developed the city near the Badlapur Railway Station faster than actual Badlapur village. Now Badlapur city encompasses the Old Badlapur Village, Kulgaon, Manjarli, Belavali, Katrap and many other small villages.

History

Badlapur was named because, via Surat, it was a travel route from Konkan to Gujarat. The town was famous for its rich horse breeds. Warriors changed their horses at the town in anticipation of the difficult climb through the Konkan area. The word 'change' ("Badla", in Marathi) was linked to the town and was named 'pur' in as Badla, meaning village or town.Badlapur was recognised as a town for the first time in 1971 as a municipal town in the Ulhasnagar Tehasil. City has seen a massive growth since 80s and since then the population has increased rapidly.

Geography

Badlapur city is located at coord|19.15|N|73.267|E|.GR|2 It is in Thane district in Maharashtra State. It has an average elevation of 44 meters (144 feet). It is a railway station on the Mumbai-Pune route of the Central Railway and is located about 68 km (42.25 M) from Mumbai, 34 km (21 M) from Thane and 10 km (6.21 M) from Ulhasnagar. Badlapur is a terminal station for many Mumbai Suburban local trains. The town is well connected to the Mumbai-Pune expressway and to Vashi through the MIDC road.

This region consists of mountains. Badlapur city is virtually divided in 2 areas, "East" and "West", by railway station. The East-Badlapur is mostly built on the hills also some parts of West- badlapur. Beautiful Ulhas River flows between Kulgaon and Badlapur Gaon. Badlapur gaon is connected with 2 bridges on the river. The old bridge is out of use due to its smaller size and capacity.There has to be more trains introduced to badlapur. This is because many white collar workers in four seasonshotel face problems while commuting.

Demography

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , there were 97,917 people residing in the city. Males constituted 53% (51,878) of the population and females 47% (46,039). Badlapur had an overall literacy rate of 76.12%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 81.01% of the males and 72.15% of females literate. 12% (11,999) of the population is under 6 years of age. There were 1,971 SC (2.01%) and 4,841 (4.94%) population come under ST category. People living in the city are predominantly Marathi. There are also Buddhist, Gujarati, Sindhi, south Indian community. The city is largely recognised as a middle class suburb of Mumbai.

The majority of the population is Hindu and a substantial Muslim community also lives in Badlapur. There are many temples, Mosques, Churches in town. The major festival celebration is Ganesh Chaturthi which many organizations, local groups celebrate with zest and passion. In this festival people of many different faiths participate and enjoy. The city has had very few religious conflicts, except one which occurred on October 21, 2002, in which 8 people were injured in a conflict between two groups.

Economy

MIDC has developed an industrial area within the limits of Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council. This area is reserved primarily for Chemical industries. The area has been developed in different blocks and carved out while keeping in mind the needs of small scale and large scale industries. This has stimulated the economical growth of the city.

The majority of the city population is a working middle class. Some people are also dependent on farming as a primary source of income. There are branches of many national banks including State Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, IDBI Bank (previously known as United Western Bank). Two major banks, UTI Bank which is now renamed as Axis Bank & State Bank of India are operating ATM facilities, providing access to all major cardholders.

Government and politics

Before 1983, Badlapur Municipal Council was a separate Gram Panchayat surrounded by twelve villages: - Sonivali, Arenjad, Valivali, Manjarli, Badlapurgaon, Shirgaon, Katrap, Jeweli, Kharvai, Mankivali, Kulgaon, and Belivali.

On 2 October, 1983, Badlapur GramPanchayat became a Municipal Corporation as part of Kalyan- Dombivali- Ambernath and Badlapur Municipal Corporation. But the formation of the corporation was geographically improper as Ulhasnagar, which falls in between the said councils, was set aside. So, many a public personalities raised objection and Badlapur and Ambernath Municipal Councils were formed in 1992. According to the 1991 census the population of the Badlapur Municipal Council was approximately 52,000. So, it was declared as B-Class Municipal Council.Badlapur Municipal Council was rewarded by the "Presidential Silver Medal of India" for its commendable efforts and achievements based on 1991 census. After formation of Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council, the first Gadge Baba Cleanliness Mission Award was jointly received by Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council and Vasai Municipal Council. K.B.M.C was rewarded with "President Reward of India" for Barrier Free Environment for disabled.

Education

City is also famous for education. Many students from the city have been listed in SSC, HSC merit lists. Every year many students from Badlapur attend higher education in Technology, Medicine and many other fields in Mumbai University. Also the city has many fine schools in both Marathi and English medium of teaching. Also there are 2 colleges which are affiliated to University of Mumbai.Some of the schools are listed below:

# Adarsh Vidya Mandir
# Carmel Convent High School
# Bharat College
# Shrikrishna Khamkar Vidyalaya & Jr.College
# Katrap Vidyalaya
# D. G. Naik High School formerly known as Bal Vikas Mandir
# Fatima High School
# Badlpaur High School
# St.John Bosco High School, Belavali, Badlapur (W)
# New English High School

Attractions

There are many places around the city, famous for recreation.

Kondeshwar

Kondeshwar has a beautiful water fall along with a pond. There is a temple of Lord Shiva and hence the name Kondeshwar. Kondeshwar is remotely located away from noise and urban pollution, with the nearest village located about 20/25 minutes by walk.

Though Kondeshwar is a very beautiful place to be in a monsoon period, there have been many accidents and fatalities due to unsafe swimming practices by people who have very less knowledge of the crevices under the water. Many people have died due to the turbulence of the waterfall and they were taken inside the crevices from where it is very difficult to come out due to the heavy force of water.

Matheran Range

The Matheran range starts at Shree Malang Gadh in the north-north-west, continues to Tavli in the north, and then runs south and finally terminates at Bhivpuri Road hill. Strictly speaking, this range is not a part of the Sahyadri, but rather runs parallel to the Badlapur-Karjat railway line to its west. The Sahyadris proper run parallel to the same railway line but to its east.

Badlapur is the starting point for treks to Tavli, Badlapur Hill and Navra-Navri. Vangani is 12 kilometres from the city by railway, and is the starting point for treks to Nakhind and Chanderi. Neral is 20 kilometres from Badlapur city and is the starting point for treks to Nakhind, Peb fort and Matheran.

Chanderi

Chanderi is a majestic massif, 800 metres high, stands out as one approaches Vangani station on the way from Badlapur to Karjat by train. Joined to Chanderi by a column, are a group of four pinnacles called Mhasmal. The Chanderi-Mhasmal duo is very prominent and can be seen from far away peaks in the Sahyadris.

It looks near from Vangani but the better approach road to Chanderi is from Badlapur. From Badlapur Station hire an auto-rikshw up to Chinchavali Wadi, from there you have a walk of about 45 minutes to the base of Chanderi fort. To reach above it takes about 2 and half hour and to the top it takes next 45 minutes.

Tavli

Tavli is a conical shaped mountain at the northern end of the Matheran range 790 metres high.

Barvi Dam

Barvi Dam is 18 km from Badlapur. Barvi dam provides water to Navi Mumbai and Thane. There are public transports available to reach Barvi dam. The dam is surrounded by evergreen hills and dense forest. It is a popular recreation spot.

Chikhaloli Dam

Chikhaloli Dam is around 5 Kilometers from Badlapur. It is one of the famous recreational spots in summers and also during monsoons. Many people from Mumbai and nearby places come to enjoy the dam for swimming.
It is a tourist attraction of Badlapur during monsoons.

Moolgaon - Khandoba Temple

The temple of Lord Khandoba is located in Moolgaon, a small village, around 4 Miles (6 km) from Badlapur Railway station. From the temple you can see the panoramic view of Badlapur, Kulgaon and Vangani. The best time to visit this place is around September to November.

hiva Temple

The neighboring town of Ambarnath has a famous Seventh Century Shiva Temple constructed in a 'Hemad' style, also known as Hemadpanthi sculpture, which is around 12 km from Badlapur.

atsang Vihar

Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra Satsang's Ashram is in Hendrepada, Kulgaon area. Beautiful Mandir is surrounded by lush green gardens. Ashram organises weekly Satsang on every Sunday and on special days, thousands of satsangees and other devotees participates and takes blessings of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra. To reach this ashram, get down at Badlapur railway station, cross to west side and take auto rikshaw for Satsang Vihar.Adjacent to Satsang Vihar is the Rainy Resort Water Park.

hanti Sagar Waterpark

Shanti sagar is Badlapur - Ambernath's very own water park. Its on Badlapur Ambernath Road around 4k.m to 5k.m. from Badlapur. People from Mumbai and nearby suburbs often visit there.
It has all attractions and provisions like restaurants, children's play area, boating facility and horse riding and of course the water park. The water park has some 6 slides and an area for rain dance where the maximum crowd gathers.

Maghi Ganapati Melava

Along with Ganesh Chaturthi, the other Ganesh Festival is called as Ganesh Jayanti or more popularly known as "Maghi Ganapati" grandly and widely celebrated in Badlapur. During this time a big fair is setup in Badlapur which is attended by many people coming from far off places. This festival lasts for 10 days in which the atmosphere is very festive especially during evenings.
This comes in the month of Feb- March (Magh month of Hindu Marathi calendar). This day is considered as re-birth of Lord Ganesh. During this period this area (coastal part of Maharashtra) has less or no rains as compared to August ( the period of Ganesh Chaturthi). Hence, this festival is celebrated as grandly as Ganesh Chaturthi in other parts of the state.
In the fair Mechanized Idols of mythological characters are made and a play of any mythological story's part is performed by these idols. People flock around to see this play every year.

References

* [http://www.kbmcinfo.com/ Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council]