Thane District
Encyclopedia
Thane is a district
in northern Maharashtra
state in western India
. As of 2011 it is the most populated district in the nation. The headquarters of the district is the city of Thane
. Other major cities in the district are Navi Mumbai
(formerly New Mumbai), Kalyan-Dombivli
, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi
, Ulhasnagar
, Ambarnath
, Kulgaon-Badlapur, Dahanu
, Shahapur
, Wada
and Vasai-Virar
. This is the third-most industrialised district in Maharashtra.
The district is situated between 18°42' and 20°20' north latitudes and 72°45' and 73°48' east longitudes. The area of the district is 9558 km². The shape of the district is triangular. The district is bounded by Pune
and Ahmadnagar on the east, Nashik
on the east and northeast, Valsad District
of Gujarat state and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli on the north. The Arabian Sea
forms the western boundary, while it is bounded by Mumbai City District
and Mumbai Suburban District
on the southwest and Raigad District
on the south.
, which is the district headquarters. The name Thane derived from the ancient name of the same city, Shristhanaka, when it was the capital of the Shilahara
kings.
and it became a part of North Konkan district
, with its headquarters in Thana. Since then, it has undergone considerable changes in its boundaries. In 1830, the North Konkan district was expanded by adding parts of South Konkan district and in 1833 was re-named Thana District. In 1853, the three sub-divisions of Pen, Roha
and Mahad
together with Underi
and Revadanda agencies of Kolaba were formed into the sub-collectorate of Kolaba, under Thana, and ultimately were separated to become an independent Kolaba district in 1869 (presently known as Raigad district
).
Back in 1866, the administrative sub-divisions of Thana were reorganised and renamed: Sanjan as Dahanu
, Kolvan as Shahapur
and Nasrapur as Karjat
. Vada petha was upgraded to the level of a taluka. Uran Mahal was separated from Salsette in 1861 and was placed under Panvel
. Panvel, together with its mahals of Uran
and Karanja
, was transferred to Kolaba district in 1883 and Karjat
was transferred in 1891. A new mahal with Bandra as headquarters was created in 1917 and in 1920 Salsette was divided into two talukas — north Salsette and South Salsette. South Salsette consisting of 84 villages was separated from Thana District and included in the newly created Bombay Suburban district (present Mumbai Suburban district). North Salsette was made a mahal under Kalyan taluka in 1923 and re-named as Thana in 1926. Kelve-Mahim was re-named as Palghar. 33 villages of the Bombay Suburban district were transferred to Thana district in 1945 and 14 of them were re-transferred to the Bombay Suburban district in 1946 when the Aarey Milk Colony
was constituted.
After Independence, in 1949, the princely state of Jawhar
was merged with Thana district and became a separate taluka. As many as twenty-seven villages and eight towns from Borivali
taluka and one town and one village from Thana taluka were transferred to the Bombay Suburban district in 1956 when the limits of Greater Bombay were extended northwards in Salsette. In 1960, following the bifurcation of the bilingual Bombay State, 47 villages, and three towns in the taluka of Umbargaon were transferred to Surat district
in Gujarat and its remaining twenty-seven villages were first included in Dahanu
and later in 1961 made into a separate mahal
, Talasari
. In 1969, the taluka of Kalyan was divided into two talukas, Kalyan & Ulhasnagar
.
is 135 km long. The river has many tributaries; two important of them (within the boundaries of this district) are Barvi and Bhatsa. Vaitarna, the largest of Konkan Rivers rises in the Tryambak hills in Nashik district, opposite to the source of Godavari, The River flows across Shahapur, Vada and Palghar talukas and enter the Arabian Sea through a wide estuary off Arnala. Vaitarna River is 154 km long and has a drainage area that practically covers the entire northern part of the district. It has also a number of tributaries; the most important of them are Pinjal, Surya, Daherja and Tansa.
Many small creeks are found all along the western coast, in which tidal waters flood upstream and fill up much low ground. In many cases human interference has helped in converting them into mud flats. The bigger creeks are Bhiwandi, Chinchani, and Dahanu creeks. The Thane creek is not a creek in the true sense, but a depression engulfed by the sea.
The northern part of the Salsette Island is part of Thane district, which is separated from the mainland by the Ulhas estuary and the Thane creek but is connected through reclaimed land with the island city of Mumbai. Arnala Island is located in Vasai taluka, at the entrance to the Vaitarna estuary.
The district has no natural lakes, but a number of artificial lakes have been constructed mainly to supply drinking water to Mumbai. The Tansa Lake formed across the Tansa River in the hills north of Bhiwandi behind the dam completed in 1892 CE. The Modak Sagar (Lower Vaitarna) Lake on the river Vaitarna formed behind a dam completed in 1957 CE. Later in the upper reaches of the same river, the Upper Vaitarana Lake formed behind another dam built in 1972 CE. The Bhatsa Lake has been formed in the upper Bhatsa, north of Shahapur behind a dam built in 1981 CE.
Several hot springs are located in the Vasai taluka in the bed of Tansa River. They are located near Akloli, Ganeshpuri and Vajreshvari villages. There are some more ex:- kokner(Maswan tal-Palghar) and Sativali(Saphale tal:-Palghar) The temperature of water are in the range of 42°-55°C.
The district has four distinct seasons in a year. The winter season is from December to February, followed by the summer season from March to June. The southwest monsoon season is from June to September. October and November months constitute the post-monsoon season, which is hot and humid in the coastal areas.
In the coastal area, the average daily maximum temperature in summer is 32.9°C (maximum recorded at Dahanu is 40.6°C on 19 April 1955) and in winter average mean daily minimum temperature is 16.8°C (minimum recorded at Dahanu is 8.3°C on 8 January 1945). But in the interior parts of the district, the average daily minimum temperature is slightly lower in the winter season and the average daily maximum temperature is higher in the summer season.
The average annual rainfall in the district is 2293.4 mm. The rainfall in the district increases from the coastal areas to the interior. The rainfall varies from 1730.5 mm at Mahim on the coast to 2588.7 mm at Shahapur in the interior. The rainfall during the southwest monsoon season, June to September, constitutes about 94% of the annual rainfall. July is the wettest month with a rainfall of about 40% of the annual total. The variation in the annual rainfall from year to year in the district is not large. The highest rainfall recorded in 24 hours at any station in the district was 481.1 mm at Dahanu on 1 September 1958 CE.
, Kalyan, Murbad
, Bhiwandi
, Shahapur
, Vasai, Ulhasnagar
, Ambarnath
, Dahanu
, Palghar
, Talasari
, Jawhar
, Mokhada
, Wada
and Vikramgad
Thane is presently the only district in India which comprises 7 municipal corporation
s: Mira-Bhayandar
, Thane
, Navi Mumbai
, Kalyan-Dombivali, Ulhasnagar
, Bhiwandi
and Vasai-Virar
.
At present, there are 24 Vidhan Sabha
constituencies in Thane district. Dahanu (ST), Vikramgad (ST), Palghar (ST), Boisar (ST), Nalasopara and Vasai constituencies are part of Palghar Lok Sabha constituency
. Bhivandi Rural (ST), Shahapur (ST), Bhivandi West, Bhivandi East, Kalyan West and Murbad constituencies are part of Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency. Ambarnath (SC), Ulhasnagar, Kalyan East, Dombivali, Kalyan Rural and Mumbra-Kalwa constituencies are part of Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency
. Mira Bhayandar, Ovala-Majiwada, Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Airoli, Thane and Belapur constituencies are part of Thane Lok Sabha constituency
.
Thane district has a population
of 11,054,131, roughly equal to the nation of Cuba
or the US state of Ohio
. This gives it a ranking of 1st in India (out of a total of 640
) and 1st in its state. The district has a population density of 1157 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 35.94 %. It has a sex ratio
of 880 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 86.18 %.
It had a population of 8,131,849 of which 72.58% were urban as of 2001.
Total literacy rate of the district is 80.67% (male 87.06% and female 73.10%). The population of Thane district in 2011 had risen to 11,054,131; this is close to 10 percent ( 9.84 ) of Maharashtra’s estimated population of 112.4 million and 1% of India’s Total population. The most populated district in the country, somewhat ahead of North 24 Parganas district
in West Bengal
which had 10,082,852 people. The density of population was estimated at 1,157 people per square kilometer. The sex ratio i.e. number of females per 1000 male was 880 which is less than the states average of 925 and the national average of 940.
The southern talukas are the mostly urban areas and hence along with Marathi many other languages like Sindhi, Gujarati and Hindi are spoken. Marathi is the main language in the rural talukas.
Western coastal region is mostly populated by Koli
s, the northern and the eastern talukas are populated by the Varli
s, known for making stark images from red mud on house walls.
Manufacture of machinery, machine tools and parts except electrical machinery together with the iron and steel industry and metal products are the most important and the biggest group of industries in the district and includes manufacture of Prime movers, Boilers, Refrigerators, Machine Tools, Computing and Accounting machinery, Industrial machinery for food and textile industries, machinery for chemicals, paper and cement industries. Manufacture of basic industrial chemicals including fertilizers, vegetable and animal oils and fats, paints, varnishes and lacquers and other miscellaneous chemical products is another important industry in the district. These industries are mainly concentrated in the Trans-Thane Creek and Belapur Road industrial area. The medium and large industries manufacturing chemicals and chemical products are Pfizer, Lubrizol India Ltd., Polyolefins Industries Ltd., NOCIL, Herdillia Chemicals Ltd., BASF (India) Ltd., Star Chemicals, Indofil Chemicals Ltd., and Phoenix Chemical Works. The chemical industries are also found in other parts of the district like Wagle Industrial Estate, Pokhran Road, Ambarnath and Dombivli. The cotton and non-cotton power looms are mainly located at Bhiwandi, Thane and Kalyan. Traditionally, Bhiwandi is famous for its handlooms. But the deteriorating markets for the handlooms compelled the weavers to replace their handlooms by powerlooms. Fisheries constitute an important industry in Thane district. It is carried out in sea as well as in creeks and estuaries on the western coast. Marine fishery predominates over inland fishery in the district and provides employment to about 75% of the persons engaged in the fishing industry. Fishing in sea is carried out along the coast stretching over about 110 km. The important fishing centres in the district are Dahanu, Pokharan-Uchheli, Nawapur, Murabe, Satpute, Datiware, Arnala, Vasai and Uran. Food processing industries like grain mill products, Bakery products, Cocoa, Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery, Salt, ice, slaughtering, preparation and preservation of meat, dairy products, canning and preservation of fruits and vegetables, canning, preserving and processing of fish are developed in the district. Raptakos, Brett and Co., Pfizer Ltd., Cadbury Fry (India) Ltd. which produce modified milk food and high protein food are some of the large and medium companies in the district. Wood products like plywood and veneer, wooden boxes, barrels, bamboo, cane baskets, bobbins, industrial fixtures, cork & cork products are also manufactured in the district. The Tarapur Atomic Power Station which has ushered an era of utilisation of nuclear energy for electricity generation is also situated in the district. The finance is being provided by various public sector and private sector Banks and Financial Institutions in the district. Bank of Maharashtra is one of the leading Public Sector Banks of the district, having 60 branches (2000 CE).
The Thane Municipal Corporation
started its own public transport service known as the Thane Municipal Transport
(TMT) from February 9, 1989. The TMT has a fleet of 289 buses which ply on 45 routes from 2 bus-depots and 8 bus-stands ferrying approximately 2.8 lakhs commuters daily. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation also has its own public transport service known as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport
(NMMT). In 2006, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMT) commenced its own public transport service, known as the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Transport. The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation also runs its own Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Transport
(KDMT) service. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses connect Thane city to different parts of the district and also to other districts.
The total railway track length in the district is 345.73 km. spread in western and central part of the district. The Western Railway network passes through Vasai, Palaghar and Dahanu talukas of the district and Central railway network passes through Thane, Kalyan, Ulhasnagar and Shahapur talukas of the district. Western Railway local trains leaving from Churchgate railway station go up to Dahanu Road railway station in the district. Central Railway local trains leaving from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
go up to Kalyan, Ambarnath
, Badlapur
, Karjat
and Kasara. In 1994, a new connection made from Diva Junction to Vasai. This connection joined Central Railway and Western Railway networks and its length is 41.96 km. Konkan Railway
network also passes through a part of the district. Local trains have now started plying from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai to Panvel
on this network.
Dahanu, Satpati, Mahim. Kalyan, Vasai, and Uttan are the ports on the Arabian Sea coast. Ferry services are available between these ports.
Metered Auto Rickshaws ply in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhyander and several other towns. Metered Taxi services are also available in Thane, Navi Mumbai
, Mira-Bhayandar and some other towns.
Presently, this district has no airport. As a result of the recent objections being raised by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on the current proposed location of the Navi Mumbai International airport
near Kopra Panvel area, The Kalyan-Nevali location in Thane district is being considered for a future Kalyan International Airport
which would serve as a much needed second International airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan region.
at Nerul
in Navi Mumbai
with many modern amenities. Another significant stadium in this district, Dadoji Konddev Sports Stadium, is located in Thane city, where various sports like cricket, badminton, tennis and table tennis are played.
Districts of Maharashtra
The Indian state of Maharashtra came into existence on May 1, 1960 , initially with 28 districts. 7 new districts have been created since then and currently the number of districts in the state is 35...
in northern Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state in western India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. As of 2011 it is the most populated district in the nation. The headquarters of the district is the city of Thane
Thane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
. Other major cities in the district are Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai is a Planned Satellite City on the west coast of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was developed in 1972 as a twin city of Mumbai, and is the largest planned city on the planet, with under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a total area of . Navi Mumbai...
(formerly New Mumbai), Kalyan-Dombivli
Dombivli
Dombivli or Dombivali is a town in Thane district, Kalyan tehsil in Maharashtra, India. It is located about fifty kilometres from the city of Mumbai, and about twenty kilometres from Thane. The population of the city, according to the 2011 census is 2,293,000,...
, Mira-Bhayander, Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi is a city, in the district of Thane, in the western state of Maharashtra, in India, located 20 km to the north-east of Mumbai and 15 km to the north-east of Thane city...
, Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar Ulhasnagar, also referred to as Sindhunagar, has an estimated population of 472,943 people .The name derives from the Ulhas river which flows through it. Kalyan is situated near Ulhasnagar. The city is home to many types of businesses....
, Ambarnath
Ambarnath
Ambarnath is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Overview:The name Ambarnath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambarnath is the site of a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back, to 10th century...
, Kulgaon-Badlapur, Dahanu
Dahanu
Dahanu is a coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India.-The Town:The name "Dahanu Gaon" originates from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning the village of cows. A lot of cattle, particularly cows were owned by the people in Dahanu. Today, Dahanu...
, Shahapur
Shahapur
Shahapur is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The nearest railway station is Asangaon, which is 85 km from Mumbai CST on the Central railway line. Shahapur is situated around 25 km from Kalyan railway station, 45 km from Thane, and 55 km from...
, Wada
Vada, Thane
Wada is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Wada is located at . It has an average elevation of 38 metres .-Demographics:...
and Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar is a city in Maharashtra state in western India. As per 2011 census this is the 5th largest city in Maharashtra . It is located in Thane District, 50 km north of Mumbai. The city is located on the north bank of Vasai Creek, part of the estuary of the Ulhas River...
. This is the third-most industrialised district in Maharashtra.
The district is situated between 18°42' and 20°20' north latitudes and 72°45' and 73°48' east longitudes. The area of the district is 9558 km². The shape of the district is triangular. The district is bounded by Pune
Pune District
Pune District is situated in Maharashtra state of India. Pune city is the district headquarters. In the last census on 2001, the total population of the district was 7,232,555, making it the fourth most populous district in India . Urban population comprises 58.08% of the total population...
and Ahmadnagar on the east, Nashik
Nashik district
Nashik district, also known as Nasik district, is a district in Maharashtra, India. The city of Nashik is the administrative headquarters of the district.-Geography:Nashik district has an area of 15,530 square kilometres...
on the east and northeast, Valsad District
Valsad district
Valsad district is one of the 26 districts in the Western Indian state of Gujarat. It is bound by Navsari district to the north, Dang district to the east and the State of Maharashtra to the south. The Arabian Sea lies west of the district...
of Gujarat state and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli on the north. The Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
forms the western boundary, while it is bounded by Mumbai City District
Mumbai City District
Mumbai City District is a district of Maharashtra in Konkan Division. As a city district, it has no headquarters or subdivisions. It, along with the Mumbai Suburban District make up the metropolis of Mumbai. The city area is called the "island city" or South Mumbai or Old Mumbai. It extends from...
and Mumbai Suburban District
Mumbai Suburban District
The Mumbai Suburban district is a district of the state of Maharashtra in western India. Its headquarters is in Bandra . It consists of three administrative subdivisions or tehsils: Kurla, Andheri, and Borivali. The district along with Mumbai City district make up the metropolis of Mumbai...
on the southwest and Raigad District
Raigad district
Raigad District , also known as Raigarh District, is a district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region. The district was renamed after Raigad, the fort which was the former capital of the Maratha leader Shivaji, and is located in the interior regions of the district,...
on the south.
Origin of name
The district derived its name from the city of ThaneThane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
, which is the district headquarters. The name Thane derived from the ancient name of the same city, Shristhanaka, when it was the capital of the Shilahara
Shilahara
The Shilahara Dynasty was a feudal clan that established itself in northern and southern Konkan and southern Maharashtra during the Rashtrakuta period...
kings.
History
In 1817, the territory now comprising Thane district was taken over by the British from the PeshwaPeshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
and it became a part of North Konkan district
North Konkan district
North Konkan district was a sub-division of the British Raj from at least 1817 until 1833 when it was renamed Thane district....
, with its headquarters in Thana. Since then, it has undergone considerable changes in its boundaries. In 1830, the North Konkan district was expanded by adding parts of South Konkan district and in 1833 was re-named Thana District. In 1853, the three sub-divisions of Pen, Roha
Roha
Roha is a small town in Maharashtra state of India, 120 km south-east of Mumbai. Many chemical industries have opened up their manufacturing bases here. Roha is located between the banks of the Kundalika River and the hills of Kalasgiri...
and Mahad
Mahad
Mahad is a city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated about 175 km to the south of Mumbai . It has become the center of attraction because of its beautiful surroundings and pleasant climate. Mahad has a personality of its own due to its...
together with Underi
Underi
Underi is a fortified island near the mouth of Mumbai harbour south of Prong's Lighthouse. It is a companion fort to Khanderi and currently lies in Raigad district, Maharashtra. These islands of Khanderi and Underi served as one of the landmarks for ships entering Mumbai harbour...
and Revadanda agencies of Kolaba were formed into the sub-collectorate of Kolaba, under Thana, and ultimately were separated to become an independent Kolaba district in 1869 (presently known as Raigad district
Raigad district
Raigad District , also known as Raigarh District, is a district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region. The district was renamed after Raigad, the fort which was the former capital of the Maratha leader Shivaji, and is located in the interior regions of the district,...
).
Back in 1866, the administrative sub-divisions of Thana were reorganised and renamed: Sanjan as Dahanu
Dahanu
Dahanu is a coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India.-The Town:The name "Dahanu Gaon" originates from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning the village of cows. A lot of cattle, particularly cows were owned by the people in Dahanu. Today, Dahanu...
, Kolvan as Shahapur
Shahapur
Shahapur is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The nearest railway station is Asangaon, which is 85 km from Mumbai CST on the Central railway line. Shahapur is situated around 25 km from Kalyan railway station, 45 km from Thane, and 55 km from...
and Nasrapur as Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
. Vada petha was upgraded to the level of a taluka. Uran Mahal was separated from Salsette in 1861 and was placed under Panvel
Panvel
Panvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
. Panvel, together with its mahals of Uran
Uran
Uran is part of the Navi Mumbai city township lying in the Raigad district near Panvel and Karjat. It is situated east of Mumbai across the Dharamtar Creek, and is primarily a fishing village, which has developed into a special economy zone. Even famous for its salt pans later after the revolt by...
and Karanja
Karanja
"Karanja" or "Karanja Lad" is a city and a municipal council in Washim district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Karanja is also known as Karanja or Karanja Lad and mainly referred as the latter most of the times. Karanja is a holy place for Hindus, Muslims and Jains...
, was transferred to Kolaba district in 1883 and Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
was transferred in 1891. A new mahal with Bandra as headquarters was created in 1917 and in 1920 Salsette was divided into two talukas — north Salsette and South Salsette. South Salsette consisting of 84 villages was separated from Thana District and included in the newly created Bombay Suburban district (present Mumbai Suburban district). North Salsette was made a mahal under Kalyan taluka in 1923 and re-named as Thana in 1926. Kelve-Mahim was re-named as Palghar. 33 villages of the Bombay Suburban district were transferred to Thana district in 1945 and 14 of them were re-transferred to the Bombay Suburban district in 1946 when the Aarey Milk Colony
Aarey Milk Colony
Aarey Milk Colony is situated in Goregaon East, a suburb of Mumbai. It has gardens, a nursery, lakes, an observation pavilion, picnic facilities, and milk plants....
was constituted.
After Independence, in 1949, the princely state of Jawhar
Jawhar
Jawhar is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 166 km from Mumbai and 80 km from the city of Nasik.-History:...
was merged with Thana district and became a separate taluka. As many as twenty-seven villages and eight towns from Borivali
Borivali
Borivali or Borivli a suburban area located in the north-west section of Mumbai island. Borivali is approximately from Mumbai Airport and from Churchgate Railway Station...
taluka and one town and one village from Thana taluka were transferred to the Bombay Suburban district in 1956 when the limits of Greater Bombay were extended northwards in Salsette. In 1960, following the bifurcation of the bilingual Bombay State, 47 villages, and three towns in the taluka of Umbargaon were transferred to Surat district
Surat district
Surat is a district in the state of Gujarat India with Surat city as the administrative headquarters of this district. It is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada , Navsari and Dang districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. It is the second-most advanced district in Gujarat...
in Gujarat and its remaining twenty-seven villages were first included in Dahanu
Dahanu
Dahanu is a coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India.-The Town:The name "Dahanu Gaon" originates from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning the village of cows. A lot of cattle, particularly cows were owned by the people in Dahanu. Today, Dahanu...
and later in 1961 made into a separate mahal
Mahal
-Geography:* Mahal, India, a small town in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India* Malé, the capital of Maldives* Mahalle, Turkish language country subdivision or neighbourhood term* Mahalla, an Arabic language country subdivision or neighbourhood term...
, Talasari
Talasari
Talasari is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.It is one of the talukas of Thane district where famous Warli art is inhabited.-Geography:Talasari is located at...
. In 1969, the taluka of Kalyan was divided into two talukas, Kalyan & Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar Ulhasnagar, also referred to as Sindhunagar, has an estimated population of 472,943 people .The name derives from the Ulhas river which flows through it. Kalyan is situated near Ulhasnagar. The city is home to many types of businesses....
.
Geography
The district is the northernmost part of the Konkan lowlands of Maharashtra. It comprises the wide amphitheatre like Ulhas basin on the south and hilly Vaitama valley on the north together with plateaus and the slopes of Sahyadri. From the steep slopes of the Sahyadri in the east, the land falls through a succession of plateaus in the north and centre of the district to the Ulhas valley in the south. These lowlands are separated from the coast by a fairly well-defined narrow ridge of hills that runs north-south to the east of the Thane creek, parallel to the sea keeping a distance of about 6 to 10 km from the shores. A number of isolated hills and spurs also dot the entire district area.Rivers, creeks, islands, lakes and hot springs
The two main rivers flowing through the district are the Ulhas and the Vaitarna. The Ulhas originates from the north of Tungarli near Lonavala, flows for a short distance before descending near Bhor ghat. It meets the sea at Vasai creek. Ulhas RiverUlhas River
The Ulhas River is a river of western India. It originates near Karjat in the Western Ghats Range, and flows westward through Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra between Kulgaon-Badlapur, north to Ulhasnagar and on to Kalyan, where it turns west to Thane...
is 135 km long. The river has many tributaries; two important of them (within the boundaries of this district) are Barvi and Bhatsa. Vaitarna, the largest of Konkan Rivers rises in the Tryambak hills in Nashik district, opposite to the source of Godavari, The River flows across Shahapur, Vada and Palghar talukas and enter the Arabian Sea through a wide estuary off Arnala. Vaitarna River is 154 km long and has a drainage area that practically covers the entire northern part of the district. It has also a number of tributaries; the most important of them are Pinjal, Surya, Daherja and Tansa.
Many small creeks are found all along the western coast, in which tidal waters flood upstream and fill up much low ground. In many cases human interference has helped in converting them into mud flats. The bigger creeks are Bhiwandi, Chinchani, and Dahanu creeks. The Thane creek is not a creek in the true sense, but a depression engulfed by the sea.
The northern part of the Salsette Island is part of Thane district, which is separated from the mainland by the Ulhas estuary and the Thane creek but is connected through reclaimed land with the island city of Mumbai. Arnala Island is located in Vasai taluka, at the entrance to the Vaitarna estuary.
The district has no natural lakes, but a number of artificial lakes have been constructed mainly to supply drinking water to Mumbai. The Tansa Lake formed across the Tansa River in the hills north of Bhiwandi behind the dam completed in 1892 CE. The Modak Sagar (Lower Vaitarna) Lake on the river Vaitarna formed behind a dam completed in 1957 CE. Later in the upper reaches of the same river, the Upper Vaitarana Lake formed behind another dam built in 1972 CE. The Bhatsa Lake has been formed in the upper Bhatsa, north of Shahapur behind a dam built in 1981 CE.
Several hot springs are located in the Vasai taluka in the bed of Tansa River. They are located near Akloli, Ganeshpuri and Vajreshvari villages. There are some more ex:- kokner(Maswan tal-Palghar) and Sativali(Saphale tal:-Palghar) The temperature of water are in the range of 42°-55°C.
Climate
There are two distinctly different climates in the district, one on the western coastal plains and the other on the eastern slopes of Sahyadri. The climate on the western coastal plains of Thane, Vasai, Palghar and Dahanu talukas is tropical, very humid and warm. The climate on the plains at the foot of the slopes (Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Vada, Ulhasnagar, Ambarnath and Talasari talukas) and on the eastern slopes of Sahyadri (Murbad, Shahapur, Jawhar, Vikramgad and Mokhada talukas) is comparatively less humid. The temperature variation is also more in the eastern part of the district comparing to the western coastal areas.The district has four distinct seasons in a year. The winter season is from December to February, followed by the summer season from March to June. The southwest monsoon season is from June to September. October and November months constitute the post-monsoon season, which is hot and humid in the coastal areas.
In the coastal area, the average daily maximum temperature in summer is 32.9°C (maximum recorded at Dahanu is 40.6°C on 19 April 1955) and in winter average mean daily minimum temperature is 16.8°C (minimum recorded at Dahanu is 8.3°C on 8 January 1945). But in the interior parts of the district, the average daily minimum temperature is slightly lower in the winter season and the average daily maximum temperature is higher in the summer season.
The average annual rainfall in the district is 2293.4 mm. The rainfall in the district increases from the coastal areas to the interior. The rainfall varies from 1730.5 mm at Mahim on the coast to 2588.7 mm at Shahapur in the interior. The rainfall during the southwest monsoon season, June to September, constitutes about 94% of the annual rainfall. July is the wettest month with a rainfall of about 40% of the annual total. The variation in the annual rainfall from year to year in the district is not large. The highest rainfall recorded in 24 hours at any station in the district was 481.1 mm at Dahanu on 1 September 1958 CE.
Divisions
Thane comprises 15 talukas. The talukas are ThaneThane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
, Kalyan, Murbad
Murbad
Murbad is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra near Thane and Karjat. Murbad is an industrial town with private and MIDC industries.-Geography:...
, Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi is a city, in the district of Thane, in the western state of Maharashtra, in India, located 20 km to the north-east of Mumbai and 15 km to the north-east of Thane city...
, Shahapur
Shahapur
Shahapur is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The nearest railway station is Asangaon, which is 85 km from Mumbai CST on the Central railway line. Shahapur is situated around 25 km from Kalyan railway station, 45 km from Thane, and 55 km from...
, Vasai, Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar Ulhasnagar, also referred to as Sindhunagar, has an estimated population of 472,943 people .The name derives from the Ulhas river which flows through it. Kalyan is situated near Ulhasnagar. The city is home to many types of businesses....
, Ambarnath
Ambarnath
Ambarnath is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Overview:The name Ambarnath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambarnath is the site of a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back, to 10th century...
, Dahanu
Dahanu
Dahanu is a coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India.-The Town:The name "Dahanu Gaon" originates from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning the village of cows. A lot of cattle, particularly cows were owned by the people in Dahanu. Today, Dahanu...
, Palghar
Palghar
Palghar is a town and a Municipal Council in Thane district in Maharashtra. Situated about 87 kilometres from Mumbai, it is a part of the Mumbai Suburban Rail network which extends up to Dahanu and lies on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail route...
, Talasari
Talasari
Talasari is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.It is one of the talukas of Thane district where famous Warli art is inhabited.-Geography:Talasari is located at...
, Jawhar
Jawhar
Jawhar is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 166 km from Mumbai and 80 km from the city of Nasik.-History:...
, Mokhada
Mokhada
Mokhada is a census town in Jawhar subdivision of Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-References:...
, Wada
Wada
-Wada , a Japanese family name:* Wada Yoshimori , a samurai of the Kamakura Period* Akiko Wada, a Japanese singer* Juhn Atsushi Wada, a Japanese-Canadian neurologist* Kazuhiro Wada, a Japanese baseball player...
and Vikramgad
Vikramgad
Vikramgad is a census town in Jawhar subdivision of Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.Its also known for weekend picnic spot. Nature Trails is the good picnic place in Vikramgad. One can reach Vikramgad from three ways like from Wada, Jawhar and Malwada. Its a Taluka place...
Thane is presently the only district in India which comprises 7 municipal corporation
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
s: Mira-Bhayandar
Mira-Bhayandar
Mira-Bhayander is a suburb of Mumbai city, located to The North of Mumbai administered by Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation .-History:...
, Thane
Thane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
, Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai is a Planned Satellite City on the west coast of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was developed in 1972 as a twin city of Mumbai, and is the largest planned city on the planet, with under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a total area of . Navi Mumbai...
, Kalyan-Dombivali, Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar
Ulhasnagar Ulhasnagar, also referred to as Sindhunagar, has an estimated population of 472,943 people .The name derives from the Ulhas river which flows through it. Kalyan is situated near Ulhasnagar. The city is home to many types of businesses....
, Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi is a city, in the district of Thane, in the western state of Maharashtra, in India, located 20 km to the north-east of Mumbai and 15 km to the north-east of Thane city...
and Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar is a city in Maharashtra state in western India. As per 2011 census this is the 5th largest city in Maharashtra . It is located in Thane District, 50 km north of Mumbai. The city is located on the north bank of Vasai Creek, part of the estuary of the Ulhas River...
.
At present, there are 24 Vidhan Sabha
Vidhan Sabha
The Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is the lower house or the sole house of the provincial legislature in the different states of India. The same name is also used for the lower house of the legislatures for two of the union territories, Delhi and Pondicherry...
constituencies in Thane district. Dahanu (ST), Vikramgad (ST), Palghar (ST), Boisar (ST), Nalasopara and Vasai constituencies are part of Palghar Lok Sabha constituency
Palghar (Lok Sabha constituency)
Palghar Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra state in western India. This constituency came into existence on February 19, 2008 as a part of the implementation of the Presidential notification on delimitation of parliamentary constituencies based on the...
. Bhivandi Rural (ST), Shahapur (ST), Bhivandi West, Bhivandi East, Kalyan West and Murbad constituencies are part of Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency. Ambarnath (SC), Ulhasnagar, Kalyan East, Dombivali, Kalyan Rural and Mumbra-Kalwa constituencies are part of Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency
Kalyan (Lok Sabha constituency)
Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra state in western India. This constituency came into existence on February 19, 2008 as a part of the implementation of the Presidential notification based on the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission of...
. Mira Bhayandar, Ovala-Majiwada, Kopri-Pachpakhadi, Airoli, Thane and Belapur constituencies are part of Thane Lok Sabha constituency
Thane (Lok Sabha Constituency)
Thane Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies of Maharashtra state in western India.-Assembly segments:...
.
Proposals for bifurcation and trifurcation
According to the provisional 2011 Census, Thane district is the most populous district in India. A number of proposals made by several political parties and organisations to bifurcate or trifurcate this district for better administration are presently being considered by the government of Maharashtra. These proposals include:- The bifurcation of the present district into two by creating a new tribal district, which will include the northern and eastern talukas of the present district. The proposed names for this new district are Jawhar and Vada.
- The trifurcation of the present district:
- There is a proposal to divide the present district into three: Thane (Urban), Thane (Rural) and Jawhar. The proposed Thane (Urban) district will comprise the 7 municipal corporations and 2 municipal councilMunicipal councilA municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
s, namely Vasai-VirarVasai-VirarVasai-Virar is a city in Maharashtra state in western India. As per 2011 census this is the 5th largest city in Maharashtra . It is located in Thane District, 50 km north of Mumbai. The city is located on the north bank of Vasai Creek, part of the estuary of the Ulhas River...
Municipal Corporation, Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation, Bhivandi-NizampurNizampurNizampur is a town in Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is located at 33°47'7N 72°1'27E and has an altitude of 329 metres . The area contains reserves of iron ore....
Municipal Corporation, ThaneThaneThane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
Municipal Corporation, Kalyan-DombivaliKalyan-DombivaliKalyan-Dombivli is a city and a municipal corporation with its headquarters located in Kalyan in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was formed in 1982 to administer the twin townships of Kalyan and Dombivli...
Municipal Corporation, Navi MumbaiNavi MumbaiNavi Mumbai is a Planned Satellite City on the west coast of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was developed in 1972 as a twin city of Mumbai, and is the largest planned city on the planet, with under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a total area of . Navi Mumbai...
Municipal Corporation, UlhasnagarUlhasnagarUlhasnagar Ulhasnagar, also referred to as Sindhunagar, has an estimated population of 472,943 people .The name derives from the Ulhas river which flows through it. Kalyan is situated near Ulhasnagar. The city is home to many types of businesses....
Municipal Corporation and the Municipal councils of Kulgaon-Badlapur, Ambernath and the Cidco administered areas. The PanvelPanvelPanvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
, New Panvel, and the Navi Mumbai International AirportNavi Mumbai International AirportThe proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport is a new international airport, which is to come up at Kopra-Panvel area, is being built through public-private partnership — with private sector partner getting 74% equity while Airports Authority of India and Govt of Maharashtra holding 13% each...
regions also may be included in this proposed district. The proposed Thane (Rural) district will comprise the area south of the Tansa RiverTansa RiverThe Tansa River is a small river on Salsett island near Mumbai, and is one of Mumbai's water sources via Tansa Lake. It is embanked by one of the largest masonry dams in the world, built in 1892. The embankment is nearly 2 metres long, high, and 30 metres thick at the base. The dam has 1.31 cubic...
and the rural areas not included in the Urban and Tribal districts of six talukas, Vasai, Bhivandi, ShahapurShahapurShahapur is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The nearest railway station is Asangaon, which is 85 km from Mumbai CST on the Central railway line. Shahapur is situated around 25 km from Kalyan railway station, 45 km from Thane, and 55 km from...
, Kalyan, MurbadMurbadMurbad is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra near Thane and Karjat. Murbad is an industrial town with private and MIDC industries.-Geography:...
and Ambernath. It is also proposed to incorporate the four major urban areas and towns of KarjatKarjatKarjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
, KhopoliKhopoliKhopoli is an industrial town in the Khalapur taluka of Raigad district, in the Indian state of Maharashtra, at the base of the Sahyadri mountains. Patalganga River which is the tailrace channel of Tata Hydroelectric Power station flows through Khopoli....
, PanvelPanvelPanvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
and UranUranUran is part of the Navi Mumbai city township lying in the Raigad district near Panvel and Karjat. It is situated east of Mumbai across the Dharamtar Creek, and is primarily a fishing village, which has developed into a special economy zone. Even famous for its salt pans later after the revolt by...
-JNPT currently in Raigad districtRaigad districtRaigad District , also known as Raigarh District, is a district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Konkan region. The district was renamed after Raigad, the fort which was the former capital of the Maratha leader Shivaji, and is located in the interior regions of the district,...
, by merging the three talukas of Raigad district currently bordering Thane district and also which are on the Pune Mumbai Highway and Mumbai Pune Railway lines, namely the Talukas of PanvelPanvelPanvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
, KarjatKarjatKarjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
and UranUranUran is part of the Navi Mumbai city township lying in the Raigad district near Panvel and Karjat. It is situated east of Mumbai across the Dharamtar Creek, and is primarily a fishing village, which has developed into a special economy zone. Even famous for its salt pans later after the revolt by...
. Historically both PanvelPanvelPanvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
and KarjatKarjatKarjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
talukas were part of Thane district and in they were merged with the erstwhile Kolaba district (present-day Raigad district) in 1891. The proposed Jawhar district will comprise all areas north of the Tansa RiverTansa RiverThe Tansa River is a small river on Salsett island near Mumbai, and is one of Mumbai's water sources via Tansa Lake. It is embanked by one of the largest masonry dams in the world, built in 1892. The embankment is nearly 2 metres long, high, and 30 metres thick at the base. The dam has 1.31 cubic...
. It would be a tribal district and will include seven talukas: JawharJawharJawhar is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 166 km from Mumbai and 80 km from the city of Nasik.-History:...
, TalasariTalasariTalasari is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.It is one of the talukas of Thane district where famous Warli art is inhabited.-Geography:Talasari is located at...
, DahanuDahanuDahanu is a coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India.-The Town:The name "Dahanu Gaon" originates from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning the village of cows. A lot of cattle, particularly cows were owned by the people in Dahanu. Today, Dahanu...
, MokhadaMokhadaMokhada is a census town in Jawhar subdivision of Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-References:...
, VikramgadVikramgadVikramgad is a census town in Jawhar subdivision of Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.Its also known for weekend picnic spot. Nature Trails is the good picnic place in Vikramgad. One can reach Vikramgad from three ways like from Wada, Jawhar and Malwada. Its a Taluka place...
, VadaVadaVada ; also known as wada or vade or vadai , is a savoury fritter-type snack from South India.-Description:Vada can vary in shape and size, but are usually either doughnut- or disc-shaped and are about between 5 and 8 cm across. They are made from dal, lentil, gram flour or potato.Vada is a...
, and PalgharPalgharPalghar is a town and a Municipal Council in Thane district in Maharashtra. Situated about 87 kilometres from Mumbai, it is a part of the Mumbai Suburban Rail network which extends up to Dahanu and lies on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail route...
. - There is also a proposal to divide the present district into three districts: Thane (Suburban), Thane (Rural) and Kalyan.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
Thane district has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 11,054,131, roughly equal to the nation of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
or the US state of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. This gives it a ranking of 1st in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
) and 1st in its state. The district has a population density of 1157 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 35.94 %. It has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 880 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 86.18 %.
It had a population of 8,131,849 of which 72.58% were urban as of 2001.
Total literacy rate of the district is 80.67% (male 87.06% and female 73.10%). The population of Thane district in 2011 had risen to 11,054,131; this is close to 10 percent ( 9.84 ) of Maharashtra’s estimated population of 112.4 million and 1% of India’s Total population. The most populated district in the country, somewhat ahead of North 24 Parganas district
North 24 Parganas district
North 24 Parganas district is a district in southern West Bengal, of eastern India. North 24 Parganas extends in the [tropical zone] from latitude 22º11'6" north to 23º15'2" north and from longitude 88º20' east to 89º5' east...
in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
which had 10,082,852 people. The density of population was estimated at 1,157 people per square kilometer. The sex ratio i.e. number of females per 1000 male was 880 which is less than the states average of 925 and the national average of 940.
The southern talukas are the mostly urban areas and hence along with Marathi many other languages like Sindhi, Gujarati and Hindi are spoken. Marathi is the main language in the rural talukas.
Western coastal region is mostly populated by Koli
KOLI
KOLI is a radio station serving Wichita Falls, Texas and Vicinity with a country music format. It operates on FM frequency 94.9 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. It is the radio flagship station for the Wichita Falls Wildcats hockey team....
s, the northern and the eastern talukas are populated by the Varli
Warli
The Warlis or are an Indian indigenous people, who live mostly in Dahanu and Talasari talukas of the northern Thane district, parts of Nashik and Dhule districts of Maharashtra, Valsad District of Gujarat, and the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. They have their own...
s, known for making stark images from red mud on house walls.
Economy
According to the 2001 Census, the total working population in the district was 11,961,704 persons, which is 47.37% of the total population of the district. Out of total working force, 51.75% were engaged in agriculture and allied activities, 6.19% in manufacturing, service and cottage industries and remaining 30.69% in other activities. Out of total working force, the female working force was 22.89% in the district.Agriculture
The important kharif crops of the district are rice, vari and nachani (finger millet). The pulses like Urad, moong and kulith are also grown in this season. Rice is the main crop of the district. Rice is grown in all the talukas of the district but mainly in Palghar, Bhiwandi, Murbad, Shahapur, Vada, Vikramgad and Dahanu. Vari and nachani are grown in the hilly areas of the eastern part of the district, namely Jawhar, Murbad, Vikramgad, Shahapur and Mokhada talukas. Wal, chavali and gram are the main rabi crops grown in this district. Dahanu taluka is famous for fruits. Chikoos (sapotas) are grown on a large scale at Gholwad. Chikoo orchards are also found in Palghar and Talasari talukas. Chikoos grown in these areas are sent all over India. Other fruits grown in the district are guavas, mangoes, papayas, grapefruits and coconuts. Vasai and Palghar talukas are famous for different varieties of bananas such as rajeli, tambeli, mutheli and velchi. Seasonal fruits grown in the district such as bor, wild berries and litchis have great demands in the markets of Mumbai. Vegetables are also grown in the district. Among the vegetables, eggplants are grown on a large scale. There are rose gardens at Dahanu.Industries
Thane is the third most industrialised district in the State. There are 1548 large and medium scale and 18,480 small scale industries in the district. The main products of these industries are Drugs, Textiles, Adhesives, Plastics, Rubber, Steel, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, Fertilizers, Electronics, Chemicals and Iron & Steel. The Thane-Belapur-Kalyan industrial belt is the centre of highly sophisticated modern industries. In Ambarnath, Bhiwandi, Badlapur, Tarapur and Murbad there are nearly 4000 industries which contributes towards the industrialisation of the district.Manufacture of machinery, machine tools and parts except electrical machinery together with the iron and steel industry and metal products are the most important and the biggest group of industries in the district and includes manufacture of Prime movers, Boilers, Refrigerators, Machine Tools, Computing and Accounting machinery, Industrial machinery for food and textile industries, machinery for chemicals, paper and cement industries. Manufacture of basic industrial chemicals including fertilizers, vegetable and animal oils and fats, paints, varnishes and lacquers and other miscellaneous chemical products is another important industry in the district. These industries are mainly concentrated in the Trans-Thane Creek and Belapur Road industrial area. The medium and large industries manufacturing chemicals and chemical products are Pfizer, Lubrizol India Ltd., Polyolefins Industries Ltd., NOCIL, Herdillia Chemicals Ltd., BASF (India) Ltd., Star Chemicals, Indofil Chemicals Ltd., and Phoenix Chemical Works. The chemical industries are also found in other parts of the district like Wagle Industrial Estate, Pokhran Road, Ambarnath and Dombivli. The cotton and non-cotton power looms are mainly located at Bhiwandi, Thane and Kalyan. Traditionally, Bhiwandi is famous for its handlooms. But the deteriorating markets for the handlooms compelled the weavers to replace their handlooms by powerlooms. Fisheries constitute an important industry in Thane district. It is carried out in sea as well as in creeks and estuaries on the western coast. Marine fishery predominates over inland fishery in the district and provides employment to about 75% of the persons engaged in the fishing industry. Fishing in sea is carried out along the coast stretching over about 110 km. The important fishing centres in the district are Dahanu, Pokharan-Uchheli, Nawapur, Murabe, Satpute, Datiware, Arnala, Vasai and Uran. Food processing industries like grain mill products, Bakery products, Cocoa, Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery, Salt, ice, slaughtering, preparation and preservation of meat, dairy products, canning and preservation of fruits and vegetables, canning, preserving and processing of fish are developed in the district. Raptakos, Brett and Co., Pfizer Ltd., Cadbury Fry (India) Ltd. which produce modified milk food and high protein food are some of the large and medium companies in the district. Wood products like plywood and veneer, wooden boxes, barrels, bamboo, cane baskets, bobbins, industrial fixtures, cork & cork products are also manufactured in the district. The Tarapur Atomic Power Station which has ushered an era of utilisation of nuclear energy for electricity generation is also situated in the district. The finance is being provided by various public sector and private sector Banks and Financial Institutions in the district. Bank of Maharashtra is one of the leading Public Sector Banks of the district, having 60 branches (2000 CE).
Transport
Thane Municipal Corporation
The Thane Municipal Corporation is the governing body of the city of Thane in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The municipal corporation consists of democratically-elected members, is headed by a mayor and administers the city's infrastructure, public services and police...
started its own public transport service known as the Thane Municipal Transport
Thane Municipal Transport
The Thane Municipal Transport ~ T.M.T is the transportation wing of Thane Municipal Corporation, which operates a large number of bus lines in the Thane metropolitan area. These buses are called Thane Municipal Transport or T.M.T bus. TMT bus serves the entire Thane City...
(TMT) from February 9, 1989. The TMT has a fleet of 289 buses which ply on 45 routes from 2 bus-depots and 8 bus-stands ferrying approximately 2.8 lakhs commuters daily. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation also has its own public transport service known as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport
Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport ~ N.M.M.T is the transportation wing of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which operates a large number of bus lines in the New Mumbai metropolitan area. These buses are called New Mumbai Municipal Transport or N.M.M.T bus. NMMT bus serves the entire New Mumbai...
(NMMT). In 2006, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMT) commenced its own public transport service, known as the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Transport. The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation also runs its own Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Transport
Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Transport
Kalyan-Dombivili Municipal Transport is a public transport company, run by the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation. This service serves the twin cities of Kalyan and Dombivli as well as the villages around. It also has routes which serve Vashi and CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai...
(KDMT) service. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses connect Thane city to different parts of the district and also to other districts.
The total railway track length in the district is 345.73 km. spread in western and central part of the district. The Western Railway network passes through Vasai, Palaghar and Dahanu talukas of the district and Central railway network passes through Thane, Kalyan, Ulhasnagar and Shahapur talukas of the district. Western Railway local trains leaving from Churchgate railway station go up to Dahanu Road railway station in the district. Central Railway local trains leaving from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station in Mumbai which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. Situated in the Bori Bunder area of Mumbai, it was built as a new railway station on the location of the Bori Bunder Station in 1887...
go up to Kalyan, Ambarnath
Ambarnath
Ambarnath is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the state of Maharashtra, India.-Overview:The name Ambarnath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambarnath is the site of a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back, to 10th century...
, Badlapur
Badlapur
Badlapur, is one of the fastest growing towns in Mumbai Conurbation, India.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...
, Karjat
Karjat
Karjat is a city, a Municipal Council, a Tahsil and a sub-district in Raigad district, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:...
and Kasara. In 1994, a new connection made from Diva Junction to Vasai. This connection joined Central Railway and Western Railway networks and its length is 41.96 km. Konkan Railway
Konkan Railway
The Konkan Railway is a railway line which runs along the Konkan coast of India. It was constructed and is operated by the Konkan Railway Corporation...
network also passes through a part of the district. Local trains have now started plying from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai to Panvel
Panvel
Panvel is city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. Panvel is also known as the gateway of Konkan region. It adjoins Navi Mumbai, and is just after the Thane district border. Panvel is located on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway about 21 kilometres from...
on this network.
Dahanu, Satpati, Mahim. Kalyan, Vasai, and Uttan are the ports on the Arabian Sea coast. Ferry services are available between these ports.
Metered Auto Rickshaws ply in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhyander and several other towns. Metered Taxi services are also available in Thane, Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai is a Planned Satellite City on the west coast of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was developed in 1972 as a twin city of Mumbai, and is the largest planned city on the planet, with under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a total area of . Navi Mumbai...
, Mira-Bhayandar and some other towns.
Presently, this district has no airport. As a result of the recent objections being raised by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on the current proposed location of the Navi Mumbai International airport
Navi Mumbai International Airport
The proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport is a new international airport, which is to come up at Kopra-Panvel area, is being built through public-private partnership — with private sector partner getting 74% equity while Airports Authority of India and Govt of Maharashtra holding 13% each...
near Kopra Panvel area, The Kalyan-Nevali location in Thane district is being considered for a future Kalyan International Airport
Kalyan International Airport
Kalyan International Airport is a proposed greenfield airport which when completed would serve the as the second airport for the Mumbai metropolitan region and would be located around the area in village Nevali in the Kalyan Ambernath belt, Taluka Kalyan in Thane district, Maharashtra,...
which would serve as a much needed second International airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan region.
Sports
Cricket is the most popular sport in this district. The district has a cricket stadium, D.Y. Patil StadiumDY Patil Stadium
The Dr. D. Y. Patil Stadium is a cricket stadium at D. Y. Patil Vidyanagar campus, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India. The stadium has all the facilities of an international cricket stadium, and has been designed by Hafeez Contractor, one of India's premier architects...
at Nerul
Nerul
Nerul is an upmarket residential and commercial node of the city of Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, India and is better known as the queen of Navi Mumbai. It has 50 sectors. It is the biggest and the most populated residential node in the city of Navi Mumbai. Nerul along with Seawoods Darave makes...
in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai is a Planned Satellite City on the west coast of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It was developed in 1972 as a twin city of Mumbai, and is the largest planned city on the planet, with under the jurisdiction of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and a total area of . Navi Mumbai...
with many modern amenities. Another significant stadium in this district, Dadoji Konddev Sports Stadium, is located in Thane city, where various sports like cricket, badminton, tennis and table tennis are played.