Vijay ChambersGirgaon, Mumbai

Girgaon is a famous residential locality in Maharashtra’s Mumbai city. The name Girgaon comes from two words - ‘gir’, meaning hill and ‘gaon’, meaning village. Girgaon, thus, translates to a hilly village and is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in South Bombay. A culturally rich and historically significant town, Girgaon enjoys the status of a bustling residential area. The locality’s rising infrastructural growth has resulted in better connectivity in and out of Mumbai.

Girgaon’s success lies in transforming itself from a series of villages and ethnic enclaves to a bustling urban locality over the years. Contrasting scenes of local markets standing along towering malls are the prime witness to this evolution. The area’s residential complexes also reflect this merging of the old and new, with chawls and high rises coexisting with each other. The rapidly strengthening educational and health infrastructure of the locality makes it an even more attractive option for homebuyers with families.

People from various communities, including Marathi, Gujarati, Jewish, and others have contributed to the social values of this locality. Numerous art galleries, theatres and cultural centres enrich the life of people living in Girgaon, while its various historical landmarks make it all the more attractive. 

What’s Good v/s What Can Be Better

What’s Good:

• Extravagant festive celebrations make for vibrant social scenes

• Chowpatty Beach offers calming views and lip-smacking street food

• Easy connectivity to different parts of Mumbai

• Rich historical and cultural heritage

• New residential projects are coming up
• A number of art galleries and theatres to explore

What’s Not Good: 

• Small living spaces

• Congested roads lead to longer travel time 

• Waste management challenges

• Property prices are on the rise

• The local network of roads requires urgent maintenance

• Old buildings are ageing and losing strength 

Physical Infrastructure and Livability Index

The state of physical infrastructure in Mumbai's Girgaon locality is diverse and complex. 

The locality’s residential scene is witnessing major realtors investing in new housing projects. Residential spaces in Girgaon range from chawls and cramped buildings to high-rise and self-sufficient societies. Newer developments have improved utility services in the locality, resulting in consistent electricity and water supplies. The locality’s waste management systems are also evolving with time. 

Girgaon’s educational and medical infrastructure has also shown significant improvements over time. Schools and colleges are now easily accessible, offering up-to-date curricula and competent teaching faculty to the students. On the health front, Girgaon is home to various hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres. These facilities are staffed with experienced medical professionals and equipped with modern technology to address health and emergency needs. 

The commercial infrastructure of the locality has witnessed a boom with a number of small and medium-sized businesses picking up the pace. Traditional markets and new developments intermingle with each other in Girgaon. While Girgaon’s well-laid public transportation framework ensures ready intercity and interstate commutes, the congested roads can sometimes lead to longer travel times. 

A notable advantage to the residents of Girgaon is the presence of relaxing getaways like Chowpatty Beach, Marine Drive and Royal Opera House among several others. Overall, consistent efforts are being made to ensure better development and maintenance of Girgaon’s infrastructure.

Social Infrastructure - Restaurants

While Girgaon is famous for its street food, a variety of cuisine, ranging from Maharashtrian to Gujarati to Rajasthani, is easily available in this locality. Take a look at some of the famous restaurants located in close vicinity.

• Belstone Restaurant
• Navam Dining
• Lemon N Spice
• Nityanand Fast Food
• Cosmopolitan Restaurant
• Golden Wheel Restaurant and Bar
• Taste Me Up

Banks/ Metro Stations/ Airport/ Bus Terminal/ Railway Stations/ Parks

Banks & ATMs

• Canara Bank branch and ATM
• Bank of Baroda Khetwadi Branch
• Deccan- Merchant Co-operative Bank
• ICICI Bank ATM
• SBI ATM
• Bank of Baroda ATM

Metro & Railway Stations

• Charni Road 
• Grant Road 
• Churchgate 
• Mumbai Central 
• CST Railway Station 

Bus Terminal

• Gaiwadi Bus Stop
• Lamington Road Bus Stop
• Babulnath Bus Stop
• Chowpatty Bus Stand

Airport

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Public Parks

• Godrej Park 
• Mahanagar Palika Park
• Children’s Playground Park
• Nana Nani Park
• Late Jaysingh Bhai Solanki Udyan
• Navjivan MCGM Garden

Popular Roads in Girgaon

Since Girgaon is primarily a residential and commercial area, highways and expressways do not directly pass through the locality. The following roads, however, offer ease of commute to the residents of this locality.

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Road: One of the main commute routes of Girgaon that links it to the southern parts of Mumbai is offered by Sardar Vallabhbhai road. The road helps residents access numerous amenities and prestigious institutions in South Mumbai.
• Marine Drive: Apart from being a major tourist attraction, Marine drive also serves as an important link between Girgaon and South Bombay. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road is another road which runs parallel to Marine Drive.
• Jagannath Shankar Seth Road (JSS Rd): This road is a north-south passage that connects Girgaon to other parts of Mumbai and facilitates movement of goods and people in the city. 
• Girgaon Road: The Girgaon Road is the heart of this locality. The road offers comfortable interdistrict commute and helps access the area’s major monuments, landmarks and various residential pockets. 

Nearby Localities to Girgaon

How Do People Rate Girgaon

Girgaon has garnered an average overall rating of 3.9/5. The area has its own positives and negatives. Residents report high levels of satisfaction with the locality's connectivity to the neighbouring areas. Accessible public transport also generates a positive response from residents in Girgaon. The area’s closeness to a number of historical landmarks has received a major thumbs up from its inhabitants. On the flip side, people have also flagged concerns regarding some of the inconveniences like irregular water supply, congested roads and lack of parking spaces among others. 

How to Visit Girgaon

The sound connectivity routes simplify travel to and from Mumbai’s Girgaon. Take a look at the various routes through which you can visit this locality. 

By Road

People travelling from other parts of Mumbai can use the various regional roads, like Marine Drive, JSS Road and other, to reach Girgaon. Those travelling from outside Mumbai can enter the city through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or the Western Express Highway and then navigate to Girgaon.

By Rail 

For local commuters, the Charni Road station of Mumbai Suburban Railway network is at walking distance from Girgaon. People visiting from other states can deboard at the Mumbai Central Railway Station, which is only 10 mins away from this locality. 

By Air

The closest airport to Girgaon is the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Taxis are readily available for visitors to travel from the airport to this locality. 

Places to Visit in Girgaon

Shri Walkeshwar Temple

The Shri Walkeshwar Temple is a popular destination where hundreds of Lord Shiva’s devotees visit every day to offer their prayers and respects. Built in the 12th century, the temple’s magnificent structure stands next to the mystical Banganga Tank. The temple is open till 5 in the evening and is roughly 15 minutes from Girgaon.

Marine Drive

Mumbai’s iconic marine drive is only a few kilometres from Girgaon. The long stretch of Marine Drive offers breathtaking views of the limitless Arabian Sea. Marine Drive is affectionately termed the "Queen's Necklace" as the glowing string of street lights that come to life at dusk, look exactly like a string of pearls. People from across different neighbourhoods and localities come here with their families to spend leisurely evenings.

Chowpatty Beach

Roughly 10 minutes from Girgaon, Chowpatty Beach is a popular hangout destination with  lively atmosphere, street food, and picturesque sunsets. The beach serves  as an important immersion ground during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Visitors can enjoy the famous ‘bhelpuri’ at the beach and spend a relaxing time. During the day, the beach is a haven for leisure activities, while in the evenings, it transforms into an exciting zone with various entertainment activities. 

Taraporewala Aquarium 

The enchanting Taraporewala Aquarium houses over 400 different species of fish, including exotic marine fish, turtles, and small sharks. Its 12-feet long and 360-degree acrylic glass tunnel makes you feel like you’re living inside an ocean, with all the aquatic life in front of your eyes. The aquarium serves as a recreational and educational destination in Girgaon.

Royal Opera House

Recently restored, the Royal Opera House is one of Mumbai’s last remaining opera houses. Its Baroque architecture stands as a testament to the city’s rich colonial history and artistic incline. Several cultural performances, like music, dance, plays and others, are regularly organised at the opera house. 

Locality Comparison

A major factor that differentiates Girgaon from its localities is its density. The locality is considerably crowded. Therefore, living spaces are smaller and the area experiences frequent congestion. The residential units are also more moderately priced, when compared to the affluent neighbourhoods like Malabar Hills. Girgaon, like Churchate, also offers a mix of residential and commercial space. The locality’s iconic landmarks and cultural intensity sets it apart from its neighbouring localities. Several structures of colonial architecture are spread across the locality, offering a glimpse into the city’s vast history. 

Final Thoughts

Girgaon reflects a transition of the vintage to the new. It’s a cosmopolitan city that reflects the essence of South Bombay, i.e. diversity and inclusivity. Thus, the infrastructural state of Girgaon is a balanced mix of some dilapidating structures and many positive developments. Markets are turning into complexes and chawls are making way for multi-storey apartments. The recent developments promise a positive future for Girgaon as a thriving residential hub.