Govandi

Govandi Gaondevi Mata Gaondevi
Suburb
Nickname:  Govandi
Govandi Location in Mumbai, India
Coordinates: 19°03′N72°54′E / 19.05°N 72.9°E / 19.05; 72.9
Mumbai	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Mumbai Suburban
City	Mumbai
Zone	5
Ward	M
Government
• Body	Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (MCGM)
Area
• Total	3.61 km2 (1.39 sq mi)
Population
• Total	101,910
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	400043 / 400088
Geocode	Latitude: 19.0491° N Longitude: 72.9180° E
Vehicle registration	MH-03 (Mumbai East RTO – Wadala) and MH-47 (Mumbai East Suburban RTO – Vashi)

Govandi is a suburb in eastern Mumbai, Maharashtra. The closest railway station is Govandi railway station which is on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.

Geography

Govandi is located in the eastern part of Mumbai, surrounded by Chembur, Mankhurd, and Deonar. The area lies close to the Arabian Sea and is primarily a residential and semi-urban locality.

Localities

Govandi is divided into Govandi East and Govandi West, with several residential colonies and slum clusters.

Includes Shivaji Nagar, Baiganwadi (Shivaji Nagar 2), Indira Nagar, Lotus Colony, Rafiq Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, and parts of Chita Camp near Deonar. comprises Gautam Nagar, Kamla Raman Nagar, Deonar village, Transit Camp, and adjoining settlements.

In total, Govandi consists of around 10–15 major nagars and neighborhoods, many of which are informal settlements and BMC housing colonies.

Transport

• The nearest railway station is Govandi railway station, situated on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. ^[1]
• It provides direct connectivity to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Bandra, Vashi, and Panvel.
• Public transport is served by BEST buses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis, making commuting accessible within Mumbai.

Demographics and Society

Govandi is a densely populated area with residents from diverse religious and linguistic backgrounds. A significant portion of the population belongs to the working-class community. Several slum settlements, especially near the Deonar dumping ground, form part of the locality. ^{[2] [3]}

Economy

The local economy of Govandi is largely dependent on small businesses, retail shops, and street markets. Many residents are employed in nearby industrial and commercial hubs across eastern Mumbai. ^[4]

Education

Education in Govandi is primarily provided through municipal and private institutions. ^[5] The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) operates a number of primary and secondary schools in the area, offering instruction mainly in Urdu, Hindi, and Marathi, along with a limited number of English-medium schools. Higher education facilities within Govandi are limited, and many students travel to nearby localities such as Chembur, Mankhurd, and Kurla to pursue college-level studies. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Apnalaya , Teach for India, and the Aga Khan Foundation, are active in the region, supporting literacy programs, scholarships, digital learning initiatives, and vocational training. ^[6] Despite these efforts, Govandi continues to face challenges such as high dropout rates, especially among girls, and inadequate educational infrastructure.

Challenges

Certain parts of Govandi face challenges related to sanitation, healthcare, and housing. Slum areas often lack proper sewage systems, clean drinking water, and adequate healthcare facilities. NGOs and local authorities are working towards improving living conditions.

See also

• Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
• Deonar

References

1. "Rs 2,450cr revamp of Mumbai's iconic railway station hits piling hurdle". The Times of India. 9 August 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
2. "Plea in HC asks it to stay setting up of waste-to-energy plant in Deonar". The Times of India. 23 May 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
3. "Cracks on 1 arm, residents demand audit of entire GMLR". The Times of India. 16 June 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 1 September 2025.
4. "Emerging Real Estate Market in Mumbai | UKDiss.com". ukdiss.com. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
5. "Mumbai: Seven schools squeezed into one building in Govandi".
6. Apnalaya. "Our Programs - Health, Education & Livelihood | Apnalaya". Apnalaya. Retrieved 1 September 2025.