Ulhasnagar

Ulhasnagar is a major municipal city located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, India. It sits approximately 26 km away from Thane City. The city is a key part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This large region is managed by the MMRDA. Ulhasnagar also exists within the Mumbai Conurbation. It serves as the headquarters for the Tahsil that shares its name.

The city has a very large and diverse population. According to the 2011 Census, the population was 506,098 people. This size makes it the 22nd-largest city in Maharashtra. On a national level, it is the 88th-largest city in India. The population is divided into 53% males and 47% females. The city is a vital cultural center for the Sindhi Hindu community. There are about 400,000 Sindhi-speaking Hindus living in the area. Each year, they observe the festival of Cheti Chand. They participate in fasting and prayers for Lord Jhulelal at local temples.

The history of Ulhasnagar is closely tied to the partition of India. In the late 1970s, the town was settled mainly by Sindhi Hindu refugees. These people had moved from Sindh, Pakistan. Today, the 28 square kilometre area contains 389,000 people of Sindhi descent. This makes it the largest enclave of Sindhis in India. The city's modern infrastructure began to grow in the mid-20th century. A suburban railway station was built in 1955 on the Central line. In January 1960, the Ulhasnagar Municipality was officially formed. Arjun K. Ballani served as the first chief of the municipality. The first elections for the municipal council were later held in 1965.

Ulhasnagar is a busy hub for many different types of manufacturing. The city is a center for producing rayon silk and dyes. It also produces ready-made garments and confectionery. Some small businesses focus on manufacturing denim. These manufacturers even export jeans to markets all over the world. You can also find large markets for furniture and electronics. The city is also known for producing electrical and electronic appliances. This industrial activity helps drive the local economy.

The city's physical layout and infrastructure support its large population. Ulhasnagar covers an area of 28 square kilometres. This area is organized into 285 different blocks. The city contains a total of 352 kilometres of roads and streets. For water, the city uses a protected supply through the MIDC. The sanctioned water quota at various tapping points is 112 MLD. The town uses both underground and open-surface drainage systems. For waste, septic tank latrines are used to dispose of night soil. Fire-fighting services are also available to protect the residents.

Education and healthcare are important parts of life in the city. There are 129 primary schools and 56 secondary schools. Higher education is available through 9 higher secondary schools. There are also 3 colleges and 2 technical colleges. One notable institution is the Smt. Chandibai Himmatmal Mansukhani College, founded in 1965. This college includes several specialized buildings. These include the Principal K M Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnique and the Institute of Technology. For health, there are 60 private hospitals providing 840 beds. Additionally, 3 government hospitals provide 356 beds. The city also has 255 dispensaries and clinics.

The city's finances are managed by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation. In the 2022–23 financial year, the corporation reported total revenue receipts of ₹418 crore. This is roughly equivalent to US$50 million. The total expenditure for that period was ₹423 crore, or about US$51 million. Tax revenue accounted for approximately 6.2% of the total revenue. The corporation also received ₹295 crore in grants during that year. While the city has faced challenges with illegal building projects in the 1990s, it continues to develop. In 2024, Ulhasnagar was ranked as the 13th best "National Clean Air City" in India. This ranking was part of the Swachh Vayu Survekshan results for cities with 3 to 10 lakh people.