Surrounded by vast salt pans to the west and small buildings to the east, the rapidly developing Mira Road still has its natural beauty intact. In fact, the Mira Road-Bhayender Municipal Corporation, which it falls under, emphasises upon residential development rather than commercial development. And unlike Mumbai, there is no pressure on the infrastructure, which is why people have started drifting towards Mira Road.
When Mumbai's real estate prices began escalating around 25 years ago, the middle-class started moving to suburbs like Virar, Nalasopara and Vasai but Mira Road, which is located near these suburbs, was, at the time, primarily an agricultural area. In addition, being part of a Gram Panchayat, it did not really spur builders to consider large-scale development in the area. As a result, no one moved into Mira Road but within a few years a corporation was established and townships began developing which acted as a stimuli for progress.
By 1980, builders had started buying agricultural land and developing townships. With the Mira Road- Bhayender Municipal Corporation lending a helping hand to provide basic facilities, the Mira Road population began growing and has gradually increased over the last ten years. The suburb is very close to the city and despite being situated in Thane District, it enjoys all the facilities provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) including power from BSES, telecom facilities from MTNL and transportation from BEST. These factors have been instrumental in people choosing to live in Mira Road rather than Virar or Vasai. However, there is still scope for further development.
Explaining his reason for shifting to Mira Road, Dr Bhaskar Shetty says, "Low rates and peaceful surroundings were the two reasons why I shifted from Thane to Mira Road in 1997. Since we are located near Mumbai and Thane, we have easy access to all the basic infrastructure and facilities here." Shetty shifted from Thane with the dream of starting his own practice, bought a flat in the Holy Complex, near his house and set up his clinic.
Ramesh Adhere, who has shifted to Mira Road just three years ago in search of a bigger house, says, "The area where I live in Mira Road is very quiet but there are some problems we face. Firstly, water shortage is severe. Secondly, the trains which halt at Mira Road are always so crowded that for an old man like me it's a risk to my life every time I have to get into the train. Other than these things, Mira Road is a really good place to live in."
Western Railways and BEST provide the transportation needed by the suburb. There are also private buses and auto-rickshaws that make life easier. Parents have a pick of schools like St Xaviers' School, Vallabhbhai Patel School and Abhinav School, in both Marathi and English mediums, although, for higher education Royal College is the only institution around. Along with a municipal hospital, there are many other private practitioners who provide healthcare services.
While the concept of a shopping mall has just been introduced in Mira Road, many developers have expressed the desire to set up more. One of the main attractions is 'Shivara', where people can boat on the pond and enjoy the garden surrounding it.
The construction industry in Mira Road is buzzing and big builders like RNA (N.G.), Sanghvi Group, Evershine Group, Asmita Group and Krishna Constructions have now started to concentrate on this part of the city. The going market rate for flats in Mira Road is currently Rs 800 per sq ft - Rs 1500 per sq ft. and what with builders providing all the modern amenities to residents, Mira Road is fast becoming a place where the common man's dream of owning a flat is becoming a reality.
When asked about the growing popularity of Mira Road among developers, Hari Nair, CEO, RNA (N.G.) says, "It's been a policy of our company to target the lower middle and higher middle income group, both of whom opt to live in Mira Road. Also, people who come to Mumbai to start their own careers prefer to live at places near Mumbai as they cannot afford to live in the heart of the city. At places like Mira Road, we build houses with amenities at nominal rates. There is no point in burdening house-owners with the maintenance prices of the amenities."
He also points to infrastructure like the Mira Road-Bhayender Link Road and the two new railway lines which are soon to become the USPs for Mira Road. This explains why RNA (N.G.) is coming up with 12 new projects in Mira Road.
Ashok Agarwal, MD, Agarwal Group, points out that the transformation of Mira Road over the last decade is amazing. "Today's Mira Road has shed its past and looks more contemporary. For middle-class Mumbaikars, it's an alternate option to a rented house. Mira Road offers modern amenities, beautiful complexes with swimming pools and clubhouses. Its proximity to Mumbai and accessibility by road or rail makes it one of the most preferred locations in the western suburbs."
Rahul Kharkhanis opted for two furnished flats in Green Ways developed by the Agarwal Group near the Dahisar checknaka because of the better pricing and the connectivity it provided for him and his school-going son.
"Such projects have a big advantage. My son is in junior KG and will be able to take the school bus easily. I do offshore work, which involves travelling to the Parle helipad. It will be an easy commute for me too since our office bus also passes by Dahisar checknaka."
With so many things going for it, no wonder that Mira Road tops the charts of the most preferred places to live in.
When Mumbai's real estate prices began escalating around 25 years ago, the middle-class started moving to suburbs like Virar, Nalasopara and Vasai but Mira Road, which is located near these suburbs, was, at the time, primarily an agricultural area. In addition, being part of a Gram Panchayat, it did not really spur builders to consider large-scale development in the area. As a result, no one moved into Mira Road but within a few years a corporation was established and townships began developing which acted as a stimuli for progress.
By 1980, builders had started buying agricultural land and developing townships. With the Mira Road- Bhayender Municipal Corporation lending a helping hand to provide basic facilities, the Mira Road population began growing and has gradually increased over the last ten years. The suburb is very close to the city and despite being situated in Thane District, it enjoys all the facilities provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) including power from BSES, telecom facilities from MTNL and transportation from BEST. These factors have been instrumental in people choosing to live in Mira Road rather than Virar or Vasai. However, there is still scope for further development.
Explaining his reason for shifting to Mira Road, Dr Bhaskar Shetty says, "Low rates and peaceful surroundings were the two reasons why I shifted from Thane to Mira Road in 1997. Since we are located near Mumbai and Thane, we have easy access to all the basic infrastructure and facilities here." Shetty shifted from Thane with the dream of starting his own practice, bought a flat in the Holy Complex, near his house and set up his clinic.
Ramesh Adhere, who has shifted to Mira Road just three years ago in search of a bigger house, says, "The area where I live in Mira Road is very quiet but there are some problems we face. Firstly, water shortage is severe. Secondly, the trains which halt at Mira Road are always so crowded that for an old man like me it's a risk to my life every time I have to get into the train. Other than these things, Mira Road is a really good place to live in."
Western Railways and BEST provide the transportation needed by the suburb. There are also private buses and auto-rickshaws that make life easier. Parents have a pick of schools like St Xaviers' School, Vallabhbhai Patel School and Abhinav School, in both Marathi and English mediums, although, for higher education Royal College is the only institution around. Along with a municipal hospital, there are many other private practitioners who provide healthcare services.
While the concept of a shopping mall has just been introduced in Mira Road, many developers have expressed the desire to set up more. One of the main attractions is 'Shivara', where people can boat on the pond and enjoy the garden surrounding it.
The construction industry in Mira Road is buzzing and big builders like RNA (N.G.), Sanghvi Group, Evershine Group, Asmita Group and Krishna Constructions have now started to concentrate on this part of the city. The going market rate for flats in Mira Road is currently Rs 800 per sq ft - Rs 1500 per sq ft. and what with builders providing all the modern amenities to residents, Mira Road is fast becoming a place where the common man's dream of owning a flat is becoming a reality.
When asked about the growing popularity of Mira Road among developers, Hari Nair, CEO, RNA (N.G.) says, "It's been a policy of our company to target the lower middle and higher middle income group, both of whom opt to live in Mira Road. Also, people who come to Mumbai to start their own careers prefer to live at places near Mumbai as they cannot afford to live in the heart of the city. At places like Mira Road, we build houses with amenities at nominal rates. There is no point in burdening house-owners with the maintenance prices of the amenities."
He also points to infrastructure like the Mira Road-Bhayender Link Road and the two new railway lines which are soon to become the USPs for Mira Road. This explains why RNA (N.G.) is coming up with 12 new projects in Mira Road.
Ashok Agarwal, MD, Agarwal Group, points out that the transformation of Mira Road over the last decade is amazing. "Today's Mira Road has shed its past and looks more contemporary. For middle-class Mumbaikars, it's an alternate option to a rented house. Mira Road offers modern amenities, beautiful complexes with swimming pools and clubhouses. Its proximity to Mumbai and accessibility by road or rail makes it one of the most preferred locations in the western suburbs."
Rahul Kharkhanis opted for two furnished flats in Green Ways developed by the Agarwal Group near the Dahisar checknaka because of the better pricing and the connectivity it provided for him and his school-going son.
"Such projects have a big advantage. My son is in junior KG and will be able to take the school bus easily. I do offshore work, which involves travelling to the Parle helipad. It will be an easy commute for me too since our office bus also passes by Dahisar checknaka."
With so many things going for it, no wonder that Mira Road tops the charts of the most preferred places to live in.
Source : Times of India
