Bhiwandi is a prominent commercial hub and an important trade center that plays a key role in linking Mumbai to the rest of India via the Mumbai–Agra Highway. Traditionally celebrated for its thriving textile industry, Bhiwandi once housed a vast network of power looms that contributed significantly to its economy. However, in recent years, the city has faced economic challenges, leading to the shutdown of a substantial part of its textile sector.

Beyond textiles, Bhiwandi has evolved into a major logistics and warehousing hub, especially with the growth of e-commerce in India. Its strategic location and excellent connectivity have attracted many companies to set up large distribution centers, making it a critical point for goods movement across Western India. Despite facing industrial setbacks, Bhiwandi continues to adapt, diversifying its economy and playing an increasingly vital role in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s overall economic landscape.

Area : 698 Sq.Km

Population : 8.74 (Lakhs)

Bhiwandi, located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, has a rich history rooted in traditional textile production. Originally a small town known for its handloom weaving, it gradually developed into a major textile hub with the rise of power looms in the 20th century. By the 1970s and 1980s, Bhiwandi became one of India’s largest centers for synthetic fabric production, attracting a large migrant workforce from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other parts of Maharashtra.

Historically, the town benefited from its proximity to Mumbai, India’s financial capital, and became strategically important for trade and supply chains. Over the decades, the city grew rapidly but also struggled with issues like poor urban planning, congestion, and industrial pollution.

• Well-connected by the Mumbai–Agra Highway; has a central railway station at Anjur Phata linked to Mumbai’s suburban train network.
• The city has a central railway station situated at Anjur Phata, which connects to both the Central Railway network and Mumbai’s suburban local train system.
• The Bhiwandi Metro Project, part of Mumbai Metro Line 5, is currently under development and is expected to be completed by 2025.
• Well-developed telecom and broadband infrastructure, supporting business and residential needs.
• Several schools, colleges, and skill-training centers cater to the local population.
• Multiple hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies serve the city, though higher-end care may require travel to nearby Thane or Mumbai.

• Bhiwandi is home to a major water treatment facility located at Panjrapur, with a capacity of 455 million liters per day (MLD), ranking it among the largest water treatment plants in Asia.
• Bhiwandi has the highest number of power looms in India, with most locals working in the textile industry, second only to Surat when it comes to the scale of power loom operations.
• While textiles were once the backbone of the city, Bhiwandi has now grown into one of Asia’s biggest warehousing and logistics hubs.
• Its location near Mumbai and the Nhava Sheva port makes it a key player in moving goods across India.
• Big e-commerce names like Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance have warehouses here.
• MMRDA is focusing on developing Bhiwandi next, following its work on projects like the Mumbai Metro and Bandra–Kurla Complex.
• The local economy now revolves around three main areas: textiles, groceries, and service jobs like logistics and food delivery.