Borivali

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Borivali (Marathi: बोरिवली) is a suburban area located in the north-west section of Mumbai island. It may also be spelt as 'Borivli'. Borivali is approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Mumbai Airport and 33.4 kilometres (20.8 mi) from Churchgate Railway Station. The estimated population of Borivali in 1991 was over 6 lakhs (609617).

History

Borivali town was developed in areas of what once used to be the small villages called Eksar, Kandivali, Shimpoli and others which were situated on and around Mount Poinsur, between two rivers Tulsi and Poinsur. The existence of Portuguese Churches and the Mandpeshwar and Kanheri caves is testament to the rich history of this place. Borivali was spelt 'Berewlee' by the British and is also known as Borivli.

Landmarks

Sanjay Gandhi National Park lies in the eastern section of Borivali near the Western Express Highway (NH 8). The park has a few lions and panthers and a 4th century BCE archaeological site called Kanheri Caves is located within the park. It has huge statue of Mahavir very next to it which a very striking feature of the area. Borivali is also home to the Mandapeshwar Caves which are located in its Western part. In this caves there was tunnel to Vasai Fort in the time of Chimajiappa which was sealed due to untoward incidents.This caves have a rich history and is abode of Lord Shiva who is worshipped here on Tripurari Pourima by lighting oil lamps every year. Gorai Creek is located on the western coast of Borivali. This place is famous as a crossover point for Essel World, Water Kingdom,Global Pagoda (Vippasana) and a quick way to reach Gorai village. Veer Savarkar Udayan on L. T. Road is an idle place for all which have facilities like jogging track,boating area(currently not operational), skating etc.

Prominent Personalities

• Gopal Shetty (M.L.A.) - Former Deputy Mayor of Mumbai and BJP's Mumbai President.
• Vinod Ghedia - Deputy Mayor of Mumbai. As of Oct 2010, he is also the longest running Mumbai Municipal corporator- 26 years and counting....
• Rohit Sharma - Member, Indian Cricket Team

Railway Station

Borivali station platform numbers 3 and 4 during peak hours(8-9 a.m.). Note the crowd waiting on the left platform where trains depart for Churchgate.

The Borivali Railway Station is a terminus for all slow, semi-fast and fast trains on the Mumbai Suburban Railway system. It also serves as the final city-limit stop for all mail and express trains on Western Railway before leaving Mumbai. As of 2006, there are plans to extend the Harbour Line to Borivali, and expansion plans are in full steam at the railway station.

As of July 2007, there are 9 platforms at Borivali railway station. Platform No: 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 (from Borivali (West) side) handle trains between Borivali and Churchgate while Platform No: 1,2,3,4, 6 and 6A are exclusively used for Virar bound trains and long distance mail / express trains. The 1st platform also caters to Virar bound slow train and sometimes express trains. Recently, even 2nd and 3rd platforms cater to / from Virar / Bhayendar trains. The 7th and 8th platforms are terminal platforms.

Recently, reports have been arising of public discontent over the large distance between 8th platform and the 1st platform (approximate distance is 0.9 km). February 4 witnessed spontaneous public outburst of Borivali Commuters over this issue. The cancellation of 9:10 Churchgate Fast Local starting from platform 2 was abruptly canceled triggering the unrest until normalcy was restored in the evening.

The platform, sanctioned under the Railway budget 2009-10, had been announced after a protest by Borivli commuters paralysed services on Western Railways earlier this year. The station building was sanctioned in the previous budget and work on it started in May 2009.

Platform 6A is used for long distance and suburban services. Platform 6A is carved out of platform 6, after the existing platform's width is extended from 6 mts to 10 mts. The increase in width will also result in one of the two lines on the east of platform 6 being done away with. This means there are ultimately two platforms called 6A-the one on the other side of platform 6.

As of July 2007, there are 9 platforms at Borivali railway station. Platform No: 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 (from Borivali (West) side) handle trains between Borivali and Churchgate while 4, 5, 6 and 6A are exclusively used for Virar bound trains and long distance mail/express trains. The 1st platform also caters to Virar bound slow train and sometimes express trains. Recently, even 2nd and 3rd platforms cater to/from Virar/Bhayandar trains. The 7th and 8th platforms are terminal platforms.

Colonies

People live in small communities called colonies such as I.C Colony, Satya Nagar,Chikuwadi, Kastur Park, Shimpoli, Yogi Nagar,Trimurti Kripa, Devki Nagar, Saibaba Nagar, LIC Colony, Kosamgonagar,Madonna Colony, Marian Colony, Kanti park, Kanderpada,Rokadia lane.
In the Eastern part of Borivali, adivasi people were living in padas (Tribal name for their colony). The colonies were known as padas till their names were changed. The places such as, Rajendra Nagar, Dattpada, Devipada, Kajupada, Savarpada, Factory lane, Kulupwadi Road, Rawalpada and Devlapada, Babhai Naka and T.P.S. road, Jai Maharastra Nagar,Tata Power House, Magathane, Nancy colony.

Hospitals and health care

There are number of small hospitals and Nursing homes which take care of health needs of the population.

• Bhagwati hospital is a prominent Municipal hospital on SVP Road.
• Karuna hospital is a prominent hospital at the beginning of LIC colony just off SVP Road.
• Vivek Pathology Laboratory.
• DR. Jariwala Laboratory.
• Vibha, Kora kendra, Near Macdonalds, Borivli West.
• Suvarna General Hospital, Kastur Park, Shimpoli Road, Borivali (WEST).
• Mandpeshwar Hospital, Rokadia cross lane, Borivali (WEST).
• Apex Hospital, Chandawakar Road, Borivali (WEST).
• Mangal Murti Hospital, Gorai, Borivali (WEST)
• Bhargav Hospital, Babhai Naka, Borivali (West)

Schools and Colleges

Schools:-

• Our Lady of Remedy High School
• Acharya Narendra Deo Vidya Mandir
• Srimati Damyanti Devi Tilakdhari Jha Prathmik Vidyalaya
• Matushri Kashiben Vrajlal Valia International Vidyalaya (Formerly known as BES International Vidyalaya)
• Suvidya Prasarak Sanghache M. H. Chogale Vidyalaya
• Suvidya Prasarak Sanghache Suvidyalaya, Vazira
• Saint Francis D'Assisi High School
• Mary Immaculate Girls' High School
• Shailendra education high school
• Ajmera High School/Ajmera Global High School
• Don Bosco High School
• Namdar Gopal krishna Gokhale High school
• Himalaya High School
• St. Lawrence High School
• St. Anne's High School
• St. Xavier's High School, Ratan Nagar
• Our Lady of Vailankanni High School
• Shailendra education high school
• R. C. Patel High School (Formerly known as New High School)
• BES International Vidlaya
• Swami Vivekanand InternationalSchool
• Sheth G. H. high school (Borivali east)
• J B Khot High School (Borivali West and East)
• Sheth D.M. High School (Daulat Nagar,East)
• S. Radhakrishnan high school
• Chogle High School

Colleges:-

• Gokhale College
• Anandi bai Kale College
• M.K. College [Borivali Education Society]
• St. Francis Jr. College
• St. Francis College of Engineering
• St. Francis institute of management
• St. Francis ITI
• St. Francis institute of interior design
• Holy Angels College Of Alternative Medicines.

Of these educational institutions St. Francis is the largest and the oldest institution managed successfully by the Franciscan brothers since 1908 (101 years). St. Francis D'Assisi high school is a house to more than 8000 students and has been known for its quality education and all round development