This planned satellite city near Mumbai houses 1.2 million residents. Designed by architects Charles Correa and Mukesh Patel on former Koli tribal lands in Maharashtra.
Navi Mumbai stretches along Mumbai's eastern shore as a planned city with 20-meter-wide roads and organized sectors. You can hike the 300-meter-high Kharghar Hills for panoramic views, browse through Center One's 150+ stores in Vashi, or watch sunset from the 2-kilometer waterfront path at Vihar Sarovar Garden. The city's grid layout and regular train connections make it easy to explore independently.
Getting Around Navi Mumbai
Palm Beach Road connects the main areas of Vashi, Nerul, and CBD Belapur. Two train lines run through Navi Mumbai, with trains departing every 10 minutes during peak hours. Local BEST and NMMT buses run between neighborhoods from 6 AM to 11 PM, while auto-rickshaws operate within each sector for shorter trips.
Business Districts and Technology Parks
More than 100 technology companies work from the Millennium Business Park, making it one of Maharashtra's largest IT hubs. The commercial zones in Vashi, Airoli, and Belapur include modern office complexes and corporate headquarters. Many international companies have moved to these areas since the city received Special Economic Zone status.
Shopping and Entertainment
Each neighborhood in Navi Mumbai has its own commercial center. In Vashi, Center One and Inorbit Mall house international brands and food courts. Kharghar's Little World Mall and Glomax Mall focus on local retailers. The street market in Sector-17 sells fresh produce, clothing, and household items at lower prices than the malls.
Parks and Recreation
The Kharghar Hills rise 300 meters above sea level, with marked hiking trails leading to multiple viewpoints. The hills close during heavy monsoon rains from June to September. At Vihar Sarovar Garden near Vashi Station, a 2-kilometer waterfront path runs along the creek. The garden stays open from sunrise to 9 PM, with maximum visitors during evening hours.
Safety and Practical Information
Crime rates in Navi Mumbai remain lower than in Mumbai, but stay alert in quiet areas, especially after dark. Watch for pickpockets at train stations and crowded markets. Each sector has ATMs, medical clinics, and restaurants. Power outages are rare, and most buildings have backup generators.
Day Trips
Trains run to Mumbai every 15 minutes, taking 45 minutes to reach CST station. The hill towns of Lonavla and Khandala sit 50 kilometers away, reachable by car in 45 minutes. The new Navi Mumbai International Airport, scheduled to open in 2024, will connect the city directly to international destinations.
