Oshiwara River

About:

Oshiwara River is a river in Mumbai, India. It begins in the Aarey Milk Colony,cuts through the Goregaon hills, across the Aarey Milk Colony before emptying into the Malad Creek. On the way it is joined by another creek near Swami Vivekanand Road, before picking up industrial effluents and sewage while crossing the Oshiwara industrial estates and slums of Andheri. The river is highly polluted and encroachments have shrunk it to a narrow stream.

The Oshiwara gets filled at Andheri, a suburb that had suffered extensively during the floods. The river originates in the Aarey milk colony. On its 10-km journey through the relatively unspoilt environment of the national park it is a clean stream. A cocktail of industrial pollutants empty into it as it crosses the Oshiwara Industrial Estate and slums and cattle-sheds lining its bank pour in raw sewage.

As the Oshiwara nears the sea there is a small mangrove forest. It is a shadow of its former self, constricted as it is by housing colonies that are literally squeezing it out of a region that it once sprawled across – a process that continues with debris being dumped into the river on a daily basis. In the past three months debris dumping has narrowed the river and created approximately 20 square metres of new land.

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Interesting things to Visit:

Versova Beach,29 km away:
Versova Beach is also a popular beach like Juhu. It is home to Mumbai's largest Koli fishing community.
Access: By suburban electric train to Andheri and from there 5km by road.

AArey Milk Colony,35 km) away:
A modern dairy farm set amidst gardens, it supplies milk to the city of Mumbai. The Central Dairy is open to visitors between 9am and noon and 4 and 7pm. Cottages for picnickers are available and can be reserved through the Chief Executive Officer, Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai.

Erangal Beach,35 km away:
A beautiful place with golden sands. The suburban electric train stops at Malad, from where the journey must be made by road.

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How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Bassein (Vasai),77km away:
Bassein or Vasai was an ancient Portuguese settlement located about 77 km to the north of Mumbai, near the Thane creek. The Bassein Fort was constructed in 1532 by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. Ruins of the Fort and the Cathedral of St. Joseph and the Churches of St Antony and St. Paul can be seen in this fort. The city walls are still intact. There are also decorative gateways inscribed with coats of arms and Portuguese graves dating back to 1558.
Access: Bassein or Vasai is 77 kms by road along the Mumbai- Ahmedabad highway. The nearest station is Bassein or Vasai on the Western Railway. From there the fort can be reached by auto-rickshaw or taxi.

Gorai and Manori Beaches,59 km away:
Dotted with quaint villages on either side, the twin beaches of Manori and Gorai are located across the creek from Borivili or Malad. These beaches are generally safe to swim expect during the monsoons when it becomes dangerous due to strong underwater currents. These villages offer a peaceful retreat with plenty of dried fish, palm trees etc. Essel World, the amusement park is located in Gorai village.
Access: The nearest railway stations are Borivili or Malad from where the journey must be made by road and sea (Ferry). Also approachable by road via Bhayandar on Western Express Highway. Private shacks are available for stay.

Kanheri Caves,45 km away:
Situated in the heart of Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park- around 7km from the parks entrance, the complex contains 109 Buddhist caves. Carved out of natives rock, the caves that form the complex are believed to have been occupied by Buddhist monks for nearly a thousand years, starting 2nd century A.D., thus making them one of the oldest rock monasteries in the country. Caves No.1,2,3 are noteworthy for their massive pillars, sculptures and stupas.
Access : Located 45km east of Mumbai city, the caves are 10 km from the Borivili railway station.

Ghodbunder,43.5 km away:
A beautifully landscaped Golden Valley Resort. Originally a farmhouse surrounded by paddy fields and mango plantations. It is an enchanting picnic spot.
Access: The suburban electric train stops at Borivili from where Ghodbunder is 9.6km by road.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Fort,61 km away:
Between Pen and Panvel lies the fort Karnala which is at a height of 445m above sea level. At the bottom of the fort is the famous Karnala bird sanctuary, located 61km south of Mumbai. About 150 species of birds have been spotted here, 30 of which are migratory. The rare Ashy Minivet, a native of the Philippines, has also been seen here. The best time to visit is from November to February.
Access: There are buses to Panvel from Mumbai. From there it is 10km through NH17 to Karnala.

Karla Caves,117 km away:
The Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya Hall of Karla dates to the 2nd century B.C. and is said to be the most perfect of its kind. An inscription at the entrance attributes its excavation to Bhutapal of Vaijayanti.
Access: The caves are located 15 km from Lonavla, which is 102 km south east of Mumbai on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. The caves are approached by a rough path of about 2km.from Malavli. Sedan chairs available.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Palms Hotel Tower and Villas
169 Aarey Milk Colony Gorega, Navi Mumbai, 400065

Imperial Palace Hotel
169 Aarey Milk Colony Goregaon Mumbai, 400065

Things to carry:

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Help Line/Phone Number:

Nearest Hospital:

Kaustabh Hospital Garments
4/401, Vanrai Colony, Opp.Nirlon,Off.W.E.High Way, Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065