Palghar

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Palghar | type = city | latd = 19.7 | longd = 72.77
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Thane
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altitude = 7
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 52,699| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
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Palghar is a city and a municipal council in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Situated about 87 kilometres from Mumbai, it is a part of the Mumbai Suburban Rail network which extends up to Dahanu and lies on the Mumbai- Ahmedabad rail route.

Employment

The main occupation of the people of Palghar is farming. A large part of the population commutes to Mumbai daily to make a living. Apart from the government promoted Industrial complex situated in Tarapur, Palghar is also home to an Industrial Complex where there are many small scale pharmaceutical and textile processing industries. Maharashtra's biggest fishing center, Satpati, is located around 8 kilometres from Palghar railway station. There are farms growing chickoos, coconuts, palm dotted all around villages around Palghar. Rice is grown on agricultural lands during the monsoon.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Palghar had a population of 52,699. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Palghar has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 67%. In Palghar, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

For a town its size, Palghar is surprisingly cosmopolitan. Being a border town between Gujarat and Maharashtra and being close to Mumbai, it has a good percentage of population of people from other states besides Maharashtra like Gujarat,Rajasthan, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Most of the rich landlords of Palghar made their money trading grass to the dairies in Mumbai. Grass trading is a major occupation of many families in Palghar. The town is also close to an industrial complex located at Boisar and India's first nuclear power plant located at Tarapur.

Industrialization is truly changing the face of Palghar.Palghar is getting a make-over of sorts due to industrialization.The youth in Palghar specially the 'adivasis' are getting employment in the small scale and medium scale industries coming up in and around Palghar.In the older days agriculture was one of the main source of livelihood.But industrialization has opened up new avenues for them.

Education

The town has a number of schools and a college.

Marathi Schools

*Aryan Education Society's M.N. Dandekar Highschool (Oldest school in Palghar)
*Shri Satu Kadam Vidyalaya.(Formerly known as Jeevan Vikas)
*K.Mahim Education Society's Bhuvanaesh Kirtane Vidyalaya
*Nutan Vidya Vikas Mandal's Adarsh Vidya Mandir, Kelve (Oldest school in Kelve)

English Schools

*Twinkle Star High School
*Anand Ashram English High School ( Oldest English medium school in palghar )
*Kenam High School (Established in 1969)
*Holy Spirit High School
*Sacred Heart High School
*Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

Colleges

*Sonopant Dandekar Shikshan Mandali College (better known as SDSM College or Dandekar College) This a degree college for science, arts and commerce. It imparts Higher Secondary Education to the students of nearby villages. It also offers some Post Graduate courses in Arts, Science and Commerce. Has started B.M.S course in the year 2007. Even started Bio.Tech in the year 2006. This is oldest college in Palghar area, established in 1970, and is recognized college affiliated to the University of Mumbai. [http://naacindia.org/Reports/995.doc NAAC Report of College]
*National College of Engineering, IT and Management Palghar. This college offers Professional courses in Engineering, IT and Management.

Coaching Institutes

Miscellaneous

Palghar also has number of hospitals and medical facilities.

Palghar has many hospitals. Some are specialised for women care while others are for all types of patients.There are 2 sonography centres along with x-ray facility.The government primary health centre also caters to all patients free of charge.There are ambulance services for taking the patients to referral hospitals.There is a medical association of the doctors in and around palghar which holds CME programmes to catch up with new developments in medicine.The biggest drawback is the lack of a blood bank.The closest one is nearly 60 to 70 km away.

List of Hospitals in Palghar

*"'Palghar Medical Center
*Sharada Hospital
*Philia Hospital
*Dhada Hospital
*Kanta Hospital (Maternity clinic)(Dr.chavan)
*Shree clinic and nursing home(Dr.Vijay Goswami)
*Dhawale Memorial Homoeopathic Hospital
*Palghar Nursing Home
*Vaishali Nursing Home(Dr.Buddhe)
*Ganesh Hospital (Orthopedic)"'

References