Neral, a small town in Raigad, Maharashtra, is surrounded by Badlapur and Karjat. A short journey from South Bombay, the town was once barren land with minimal development. It lacked infrastructure and connectivity and was considered merely a transit point to reach the hill station of Matheran.
However, things have started turning around for the town in the past decade owing to several government initiatives to boost infrastructure. Neral is undergoing a transformation and is rapidly turning into a developing city with residential townships, hospitals, schools, and social infrastructure.
As per 2011 census data, the population in Neral was at 18,249, and since then, the numbers have been rising.
There is vast scope for further development in the area, especially considering its proximity to the new Navi Mumbai Airport. Furthermore, the Panvel-Karjat local train network will reduce travel time from Navi Mumbai’s CBD and the international airport.
The potential of these projects is immense, as the corridor is poised to be a real-estate hub. Additionally, a new state highway from Panvel through the Matheran hills to Neral – via Bheemashankar Mountains to Chakan is presently underway, which will reduce the travel from Panvel to Karjat by 21 km as opposed to the current 42 km. Neral is also well connected with the commercial areas of Kalyan to Badlapur by road and a suburban rail network.
Furthermore, Neral provides ample employment opportunities owing to the nearby business districts. The SEZs in Navi Mumbai, major industrial hubs in Badlapur and Ambernath, which are located within 25 km, and commercial hubs in Belapur and Vashi have opened up several avenues for job seekers who wish to stay close to their work.
All these factors will propel employment generation, which will lead to an influx of migrants, creating demand for real estate in the surrounding locations like Neral-Karjat.
Earlier, the typical buying pattern of homes was limited to factors such as convenience and short commute times; however, with the improving standards of living, customers are seeking a holistic living experience. They not only look at factors such as accessibility to major CBDs, airports and stations, but also proximity to educational and healthcare institutions and entertainment facilities. With the rate of development in Neral, the area will soon be equipped with schools, hospitals, and entertainment facilities with upcoming shopping malls, supermarkets, and theatres.
With its lush greenery, clean air and initiatives to continuously improve infrastructure, Neral is an ideal home destination away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
This article is contributed by Shailesh Puranik, MD, Puranik Builders
(The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of RoofandFloor)