CBD Belapur, or Central Business District of Belapur, is a node of Navi Mumbai, a planned city on the outskirts of Mumbai. It is one of the most important business districts in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, along with Vashi, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Nariman Point and Worli. CBD Belapur is home to the headquarters of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the Reserve Bank of India, and several other government and private offices. It also has a well-developed infrastructure, with railways, buses, roads, markets, hospitals, schools, colleges, and recreational facilities. CBD Belapur is a fast-growing area that attracts many residents and businesses.
History and Development
CBD Belapur was originally a part of the Thane district, under the Portuguese rule in the 16th century. It was then captured by the Siddis of Janjira, a naval power that ruled over parts of the Konkan coast. In 1733, the Marathas took over the area from the Siddis, and later ceded it to the British East India Company in 1817. The area was known as Belawal or Shabaz by the locals, and Sambayo by the Portuguese.
In 1971, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) was established by the Maharashtra government to develop Navi Mumbai as a counter-magnet to Mumbai. CBD Belapur was chosen as one of the nodes for development, along with Vashi, Nerul, Airoli, Kharghar, Kamothe, Panvel and others. CIDCO planned and executed the land acquisition, reclamation, infrastructure development, and urban design of CBD Belapur. It also allotted plots to various government and private entities for commercial and residential purposes.
CBD Belapur has been growing since the 1990s, with many new projects and constructions coming up. It has become a hub for education, technology, banking, finance, and administration. It has also witnessed a rise in population and demand for housing and services.
Features and Attractions
CBD Belapur has many features and attractions that make it a desirable place to live and work. Some of them are:
- CBD Belapur railway station: This is a major station on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. It connects CBD Belapur to other parts of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. It also has a proposed metro station on Line 1 of the Navi Mumbai Metro project.
- Konkan Bhavan: This is a prominent building that houses several state government offices, such as the Director of Town Planning and Public Works Department.
- CGO Complex: This is another important building that has offices of various central government agencies, such as the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Special Crime Branch, MTNL and Court.
- Reserve Bank of India: This is a branch office of the central bank of India that regulates the monetary policy and banking system of the country.
- Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation: This is the civic body that governs Navi Mumbai and provides various services to its citizens.
- Konkan Railway: This is a railway line that connects Mumbai to Goa and other coastal states of India. It has its headquarters in CBD Belapur.
- Cotton Corporation of India: This is a public sector undertaking that deals with cotton marketing and distribution in India. It has its office in CBD Belapur.
- Banks: CBD Belapur has many nationalised and private banks that offer various financial services to its customers. Some of them are State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of India (BOI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank etc.
- Call centres: CBD Belapur has several call centres that provide outsourcing services to domestic and international clients. Some of them are ChoiceConnex, Wipro BPO, Kaizen and SilkRoot.
- Markets: CBD Belapur has many markets that cater to the local population’s needs for shopping and entertainment. Some of them are Ekta Vihar Shopping Centre, Kalpataru Shopping Complex, Sector 11 Market etc.
- Hospitals: CBD Belapur has many hospitals that offer medical care to its residents and visitors. Some of them are MGM Hospital, Acharyashri Nanesh Hospital etc.
- Schools: CBD Belapur has many schools that provide quality education to its students. Some of them are PES Central School, Bharati Vidyapeeth English Medium School etc.
- Colleges: CBD Belapur has many colleges that offer higher education in various fields. Some of them are SIES College of Management Studies, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, ITM Business School etc.
- Restaurants: CBD Belapur has many restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines to its customers. Some of them are Barbeque Nation, Sigree Global Grill, The Park etc.
- Parks: CBD Belapur has many parks that provide green spaces and recreational facilities to its residents and visitors. Some of them are Sunil Gavaskar Maidan, Artist Village Park etc.
Conclusion
CBD Belapur is a planned and prosperous business district in Navi Mumbai that has many features and attractions. It is a well-connected and well-developed area that offers a range of opportunities and amenities to its residents and businesses. It is also a fast-growing area that has a lot of potential for future growth and development. CBD Belapur is a node of Navi Mumbai that is worth exploring and experiencing.
