Boisar is one of the largest industrial towns in Palghar district of Indian state Maharashtra. It is approximately 111 kilometers (69 miles) away from the state capital Mumbai, and from the union territory Daman.
Boisar hosts India's first nuclear power stationTarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). It has a railway station in the Western Railway zone of Indian Railways as well as Mumbai Suburban Railway. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has a proposed Station at Boisar.
Boisar is a popular weekend spot for tourists and locals due to nearby beaches, forts and lakes. The place has seen rapid development due to: The existence of more than 1500 industrial units. Its proximity to Mumbai & Gujarat. Easy access by train and road. Availability of surplus power and water. Its vicinity of Maharashtra's largest fishing port Satpati (). The upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train having a station at Boisar. The upcoming Mumbai-Vadodara expressway. The expansion of sea transport project.
History
Boisar city was part of the Rashtrakuta dynasty which had ruled the Deccan plateau between the 8th and 10th centuries. It was ruled by Ahmadnagar (1521–1594), the Portuguese Empire (1594), the Maratha Empire (1739–1818), the East India Company (1818–1857) and the British Raj (1857–1947). There are some forts near the city, such as Asava Fort (11 km), Tarapur Fort (), Kaldurg Fort(), Shirgaon Fort (), Mahim Fort (), and Asheri Fort ().
Boisar was initially inhabited by the Kolis and Konkanis who were fish and used to live in the Arabian Sea coast. The Kolis are traditional fishermen who speak different dialects of Marathi.
The present Vanjari community of Boisar was part of the Indus Valley civilization and originate from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. They migrated to "Moradi" port (today "Murbe") to trade in Boisar because the British started the railway in 1853 which halted the grain trade. Their language is distinct from standard Marathi as it influenced by Rajasthani and Gujarati.
The Vadval community is located in Boisar, Tarapur. They are said to be the descendants of Yadava dynasty of Devagiri. They form one of the few Marathi-speaking communities which belong to Kshatriya varna but not the traditional 96-clan Maratha caste.
Boisar was town in Bombay state between 18th to 19th century. It was also city in the Thane district after the independence of India. Palghar district is the current district of Boisar from 1 August 2014.
Geography Boisar encompasses an area of . It is located at 19° 48' 13N 72° 45' 22E and has an average altitude of at the base of the eastern slopes of the Sahyadri. Boisar is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast, and is about from the shores. It is close to Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Daman. People in and around Boisar use Marathi as a common language.
Hydrography The two main rivers flowing through the city are the Surya and the Banganga (which has Betegaon Railway Bridge). Many small creeks are found all along the western coast villages like Kolwade, Kumbhavali, and Murbe where tidal waters flood upstream. There are dams such as the Surya Dam and the Devkhop dam.
Boisar has no natural lakes but it has artificial ones. The Babule Lake and Navale Lake near the city are known for lotus blooms in winter.
The Kokner/Kokaner hot water spring is on the banks on the Surya river; the water is a murky greenish brown due to sulphur & chemical deposits from the spring.
Pedology Basalt and medium deep grayish black soil are found in the hill area and deep black soils are found in the basins of Surya river. Coastal saline soil occurs along the Arabian Sea. Other than basalt, minor minerals like murrum are found in the city.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, the climate of Boisar is tropical, very humid, and warm because of the western coastal plains. The city experiences three main seasons and one transitional season. They are: Winter Season (December to February). Summer Season (March to June). Monsoon Season (June to September). Post Monsoon Season / Autumn (October and November): Hot and humid in the coastal areas.
Demographics Census India 2011 reported a total of 20319 males and 15832 females and a total number of 4896 children below 6 years of age in Boisar. The is around 919 compared to the Maharashtra state average of 894. The literacy rate of Boisar is 88.49%, higher than the state average of 82.34%. The city has complete administration over 8,711 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorized to build roads within town limits and impose taxes on properties under its jurisdiction. Out of its total population, 14,372 are employed; 12,312 were males while 2,060 were females. In the census survey, a worker is defined as person who performs a job, service, cultivation, or labour. Of the 14372 people that were surveyed to be working, 89.32% were engaged in main work while 10.68% of total workers were engaged in marginal work. + Population and Literacy of Boisar(2011) Total Population 36151 (100%) Males 20319(56.21%) Females15832 (43.79)% Children 4896(13.54%) Literacy Rate 88.49% Male Literacy 93.08% Female Literacy 82.44%
Religion According to the 2011 census, out of a total of 36,151 people in Boisar, Hindus (83.84%) constituted the majority of the city population. Schedule Caste (SC) constituted 4.82% while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 1.76% of the total population. The official language of Boisar is Marathi but Hindi and English are also allowed to be used for any official purpose. Marathi is the most widely spoken language with Vanjari, Agri, Koli, Vadvali and Warli dialects. Small communities of Gujaratis and Muslims speak Gujarati and Urdu respectively. Marathi, Hindi, and English are compulsory languages in schools whereas Sanskrit and Urdu are optional.
Culture Festivals Boisar residents celebrate Marathi, Indian, and Western festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi and Gokulashtami/Dahi Handi are popular festivals in the city. Some other festivals celebrated in the city are :
NameHindu Calendar Month Gregorian calendar MonthsMarathi New Year (Gudi Padwa), Rama Navami, Hanuman JayantiChaitra(चैत्र)March–AprilAkshaya Tritiya, Buddha's Birthday(Budha Purnima)Vaisakha(वैशाख)April–MayVat PurnimaJyeshtha(ज्येष्ठ)May–JuneGuru PurnimaAshadha(आषाढ़)June–JulyNaga Panchami, Narali Purnima(Coconut day), Gokulashtami/Dahi Handi, PolaShraavana(श्रावण)July–AugustGanesh Chaturthi, Anant ChaturdashiBhadrapada(भाद्रपद)August–SeptemberDussehra, Kojagiri Purnima, Lakshmi PujanAshwina(अश्विन)September–OctoberBalipratipada, Diwali, BhaubeejKartika(कार्तिक)October–NovemberDatta Jayanti, Sri Mahalakshmi Vrat, ChristmasMārgasirsa(मार्गशीष)November–DecemberNew Year's Day Makar SankrantiPausha(पौष)December–JanuaryRama Navami, Maha Shivaratri, Shiv JayantiMāgha(माघ)November–DecemberShiv Jayanti, HoliPhalguna(फाल्गुन)February–March
Transportation Railway Station
Boisar railway station is the main mode of transportation. All local trains runs between Dahanu and Churchgate; Dahanu-Virar has a stop at Boisar railway station. It is part of the Western Railway zone of Indian Railways. There are some local trains and express trains that run through Boisar station to the Mumbai Central line and Central Railway zone of Indian Railways via the Boisar-Vasai-Bhiwandi-Panvel railway route. Boisar railway station has 3 platforms and multiple tracks. After a period of neglect, it has become properly maintained.
Road Transportation inside city is done by three-wheeled buses auto rickshaws. (Boisar-Palghar), (Boisar-Navapur, Nandgaon, Alewadi and Kumbhavali) and (Boisar-Tarapur) are connected via 10-seat passenger auto rickshaws and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation provides AC and non AC bus services to other cities in Maharashtra. Boisar is 18 kms away from Chilhar phata at national highway NH 48, (formerly known as Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway NH8), which connects to Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Boat Services In city, the coastal area usually commutes by ferry. Routes are defined by Maharashtra Maritime Board. Navapur to Dandi. Murbe to Satpati. Murbe to Kharekuran. Ferries are available throughout the year from 6 am to 6 pm, except during monsoons. Timings of ferry can change depending on the tide.
Air Boisar has no airport. The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai (BOM) which is away.
Education
Schools and Higher Secondary Schools (Junior Colleges) There are schools and junior colleges in Boisar. Most of them are run by private institutes and trusts. The city's public school system and junior colleges are managed by the education ministry of the Government of Maharashtra. The schools and junior colleges are affiliated with the following boards:
Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Secondary School Certificate (SSC): 10th grade. Higher School Certificate (HSC): 12th grade. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE).
Institutes headquartered in city proximity EstablishedInstituteTypeCommissioning Body/AffiliationLevelSpecialisation1975P.l. Shroff College ChinchaniPublicAffiliated to Mumbai UniversityGraduate and Post-graduateArts, Science, IT and Management.1984Sonpat DandekarPublicAffiliated to Mumbai UniversityGraduate and Post-graduateArts, Science, IT and Finance Management.2009Theem College of EngineeringPrivateAffiliated to Mumbai UniversityUndergraduate (Diploma) and GraduateEngineering2006SAS Institute of Management StudiesPrivateAffiliated to Mumbai UniversityPost-graduateManagement2002Dr M.L.Dhawale Memorial Homoeopathic InstitutePrivateAffiliated to Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS)(MD)Post-graduateMedical2002AGS College of EducationPrivateAffiliated to Mumbai University(BEd) GraduateEducation2009Diwakar Patil College of EducationPrivateAffiliated to Mumbai University(BEd)GraduateEducationHoly Cross Night Degree CollegePrivateAffiliated to Mumbai UniversityGraduateBachelor of Arts, Commerce and Science2018Diwakar Patil Private Industrial Training Institute(ITI)PrivateAffiliated to National Council for Vocational Training(NCVT)Post School CoursesIndustrial Training
Professional Programme (Internship and Apprenticeship) Boisar is known for its industrial hub and most industries (especially chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and mechanical companies) offer internship and apprenticeship programs to college undergraduates and postgraduates. Banks and hospitals also provide work experience for students and professionals.
Research Institutions Boisar is home to two prominent research institutions: the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Agricultural Research Station.
Notable people
Shardul Thakur Indian cricketer, CSK player, lives here Rajani Pandit better known as female Sherlock Holmes or India's Sherlock, who is India's first female detective
See also Boisar-Vidhan Sabha constituency Boisar Railway Station Tarapur Atomic Power Station Township in Boisar-Sai Baba Boulevard
References