The North Konkan coast of Maharashtra consists of Palghar and Thane districts, immediately north of Mumbai. Lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, it is blessed with beaches, mountains and bustling suburbs. It has become a popular getaway for daytrippers escaping from the bustle of the.
Cities
[edit]
- 1 Badlapur —
- 2 Bordi —
- 3 Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar and Ambernath —
- 4 — a planned city
- 5 Palghar and Kelve
— - 6 Thane — elder brother of Mumbai, part of the historical Mumbai–Thane rail network
- 7 Vasai-Virar — a former Portuguese colony, also known as "mini Goa"
Understand
[edit]
North Konkan is a region with sharp contrasts. Its western part of is highly urbanised and is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), while the rest of North Konkan is rural and home to a poor tribal population. The MMR is home to a large commuter population as they are reasonably well-connected by Mumbai's suburban trains. However, once you move away from this area, you will find great beauty in the form of hills, beaches and forests. Many small rivers flow down from the Western Ghats to the Arabian Sea and some of these supply water to Mumbai. North Konkan is a magnet for visitors from cities who are looking for a weekend getaway from their fast-paced existence.
Talk
[edit]Marathi predominates, but Hindi is also commonly spoken. As the region borders Gujarat, you may also find a few Gujarati speakers. Within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, most educated locals will be well-versed in Marathi, Hindi and English.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]There are multiple suburban trains from Mumbai to various destinations in North Konkan, including Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, Neral, Thane and Vasai.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]There is a lot to see in North Konkan, from forts and rock-cut caves to unspoilt beaches.
Do
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]Most cities in North Konkan are unliveable hellholes and suffer from overcrowding, poor civic facilities and filth. In addition, they are often ruled by land-grabbing mafia dons. In complete contrast, Thane and Navi Mumbai are better planned, have good roads and are quite liveable. Still, it is best to err on the side of safety and act according to your local environment.