Chembur, Mumbai

The eastern suburb of Chembur has witnessed phenomenal metamorphosis over the past couple of decades, evolving from an agricultural wasteland to a thriving locality. Chembur has proved to be the seat of commercial, industrial, educational, and residential activity in East Mumbai, aiding in its expansion and development.

Surrounded by Eastern Freeway, Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, and the Chembur Monorail Station, this locality enjoys excellent connectivity, making it one of the most desired residential areas in the city.

An old locality, this suburb is an amalgamation of cultures and lifestyles, with quaint and rustic bungalows being overshadowed by looming residential complexes. The diversity of this locality is fuelled by a myriad of temples, churches, and masjids.

Chembur enjoys excellent infrastructure and an array of amenities, providing its residents with a comfortable and easy lifestyle. Chembur Market receives fresh produce every day, and people come by the dozens to purchase fresh meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, spices, and flowers. Fitness centres, malls, departmental stores, clubs, and gymkhanas are situated within the vicinity. Bombay Presidency Golf Club is located here, providing an expansive green belt in the otherwise dusty suburb.

Prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is housed in Chembur, and students from all over the country reside here, adding to this locality’s infectious atmosphere and vibrant energy.

Key Projects in Chembur :

Connectivity and Transit Points

Chembur boasts of great road and rail connectivity, allowing easy and hassle-free commute.

It is one of the stations on the Harbour Line of Mumbai’s intricate railway network, which connects it to neighbouring areas such as Tilak Nagar, Govandi, and Ghatkopar.  A skywalk connects the railway station to the Chembur monorail station, which serves as the northern terminus for Line 1. After completion, Line 1 will connect the eastern suburb to Jacob Circle in South Bombay. The monorail serves some thickly-populated areas that are not adequately serviced by Mumbai Suburban Railway, allowing for easier travel.

BEST buses plying from the Lokmanya-Tilak Nagar (Chembur) Bus Station and the Sahakar Nagar (Chembur) Bus Station take commuters to most parts of the sprawling city.

Eastern Express Highway and Sion Panvel Highway are some of the arterial roads of Chembur. They are important road transit points for those travelling to Pune using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The Eastern Freeway connects Chembur to South Mumbai, vastly reducing travel time. The Elevated Road connects Chembur to the western localities, especially the commercial hub, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

The international airport is approximately 10km away, and can be accessible via taxi-cabs.

Major Landmarks

â—�       Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

â—�       Bombay Presidency Golf Club

â—�       Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church

â—�       Fine Arts Society

â—�       Jetty at Mahul Village Toll

Factors for Growth in the Past

The establishment of Bombay Presidency Golf Club was a major growth factor in the past. In 1827, the British had claimed large tracts of land in Chembur to set it up. Construction of the town began in the 1920s, and within a decade or so, the township of Chembur was established.

Increased industrial activity in Chembur began post-independence, as various factories started springing up in this locality. Commercial activity in this area began to draw hordes of people seeking employment and residence, and eventually, with the construction of societies by the Bombay Housing Board in Station Colony (Subhash Nagar), the Shell Colony (Sahakar Nagar), and the Township Colony (Tilak Nagar) in 1955, the area transformed from an industrial suburb to a residential one.

Residential & Commercial Market

Chembur has been a thriving residential locality since the time of independence, and the dominant property type in this area varies from state-of-the-art residential complexes to large, sprawling bungalows.

The current sales trends for multi-storey apartments in Chembur fall within the range of Rs 16,900-17,200 per sq. ft. Builder floor apartments in Chembur may cost anywhere between Rs 16,000-18,600 per sq. ft. Residential houses fall within the bracket of Rs 16,000 -18,500 per sq. ft.

Rental rates vary from approximately Rs 7,500 -25,000 per month for a 1 BHK, and Rs 30,000 -75,000 per month for 2 and 3 BHKs.

Commercial space in Chembur typically costs anywhere between Rs 14,200- 39,600 per sq. ft. Leasing commercial space may cost between Rs 95-120 per sq. ft.

Major Challenges

Chembur is home to many industrial factories, each spewing its fair share of toxic waste and thick smoke. Highly polluted, this area has earned the nickname of “Gas Chamber of Mumbai.” Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd-Semi Government Enterprise (RCF) releases highly poisonous ammonia vapours on a daily basis, and this has led to the development of severe respiratory problems among the residents.

The last of Chembur’s green lung, a sprawling piece of land with dense trees, has now been bought over by developers. This project will lead to the felling of around 600 trees, only increasing the pollution in this area.

Residents are cautioned to take care of their health, as fresh and pure air is hard to come by in this locality.

Factors for Growth in the Future

Phase-II of Line 1 of the Mumbai Monorail is slated to open early next year, and this will connect the eastern suburb of Chembur to the southern towns. This monorail has been cited as the third-longest line in the continent, and once it becomes fully operational, it will ease the road traffic by ten-fold.

Santacruz-Chembur Link Road will create a network from Chembur to the western suburbs, which will significantly reduce travel time. Convenient accessibility to major work hubs like BKC and Nariman Point, will also be instrumental in the evolution of this area.

There are many premium residential projects that have been granted approval by local authorities. These high-rise buildings will be equipped with the best of facilities. Some of these projects are Shree Tirupati Magnifica, Hubtown Seasons, Tulsi Swaraj, and Charisma Sampurna. The Godrej Group are developing luxury condominiums, with the Godrej Palms residential project offering high-end 3 and 4 BHKs. This will help boost property demand among the upper class, leading to an increase in property value.