Kharghar vs Ulwe – Which One is Better?
Both Kharghar and Ulwe are sought-after places to live in Navi Mumbai. Kharghar is more developed, whereas Ulwe is on its way to becoming the Andheri of Navi Mumbai. This article is for folks planning to move to Navi Mumbai, and are seeking some information about the towns in it. I have rated the two cities based on several key factors. I also pick the victor at the end of the article. So do read till the end.
Kharghar vs Ulwe: Factors that decide the quality of a city
1. Size of place
Ulwe is way bigger than Kharghar when it comes to size. Kharghar is 10 square kilometers, whereas Ulwe is 48 square kilometers. Most people are unaware of this fact. The majority of Ulwe is marshland or village. In hindsight, it seems like Kharghar is bigger, but the data says otherwise. The question is, would you choose to stay in a largely unstructured area or a smaller city with a steady population? I would prefer Kharghar.
Winner: Kharghar
2. Job opportunities
Kharghar has some notable companies such as Siemens, Reliance Engineering, and Siker Ventures. But good job opportunities are there in Taloja MIDC, an industrial area in Kharghar. Taloja MIDC has several chemical manufacturing companies including Aditya Birla and Vm Engineers Group. On the other hand, there are no major job opportunities in Ulwe. Although it is closer to the Uran port.
Winner: Kharghar
3. Railway station quality
Kharghar railway station is one of the best in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. The parking area— which is located on the roof of the platform— is unparalleled. Also, there are plenty of restaurants and eateries around the station. On the other hand, Ulwe does not have a dedicated railway station. People staying in Ulwe use Kharkopar, or Bamandongri railway stations— both are well built, not not as good as their counterparts.
Winner: Kharghar
4. Crowd quality
According to the 2011 population census, Kharghar has a population of approximately 107,000. The population of Ulwe is unknown, but some unverified sources suggest that it is close to 40,000. The crowd quality in Kharghar is better than its counterpart. Kharghar is a place for upper-middle-class households whereas Ulwe has a varied crowd. You will see a lot of young families in Ulwe who have recently migrated due to the low cost of living.
Winner: Kharghar
5. Women’s safety
The skywalks in Kharghar make life easy for women who commute via local trains. The skywalks are open all day and all night, and there’s no charge to use them. They are CCTVs all over the skywalks, which makes them safe for women. Ulwe is relatively safe too, but there are some parts (sector 1, sector 2, and sector 3) where women would feel unsafe due to low population density. Overall, Kharghar is safer.
Winner: Kharghar
6. Quality of education
Kharghar is an educational hub of Navi Mumbai. It has more than 50 top educational institutes with renowned names such as NIFT, and ITM. Moreover, Kharghar has top convent schools such as Ryan International and Convent of Jesus. On the other hand, Ulwe may not be an education hub, but there are some good schools such as Radcliffe and Ramsheth Thakur. Kharghar is best for higher education.
Winner: Kharghar
7. Quality and availability of health care
The “quality of air” in a particular area is one of the biggest indicators of the health of the residents. You will be surprised to learn that the air quality varies (in Navi Mumbai) from city to city. This is due to the presence of chemical factories here. The toxic fumes released by these companies can adversely affect your health. Unfortunately, Kharghar has a lot of these companies in its vicinity. Conversely, the air quality in Ulwe is a lot better.
Winner: Ulwe
8. Real estate value
Renting a 1 BHK apartment in Kharghar can cost you anywhere from 15,000 to 18,000 per month. The security deposit value is also quite high here. Such is not the case in Ulwe, where you can rent a 1 BHK apartment for around 7,000 per month. Even buying a flat is cheaper in Ulwe. The average price per square feet rate in Kharghar is around ₹9,000. The same in Ulwe is roughly ₹7,000. If you are looking for low property rates, then Ulwe is the apparent choice.
Winner: Ulwe
9. Vehicular traffic density
The road traffic situation in Navi Mumbai is better than in Mumbai, Delhi, or Pune. The roads are wider, and there are fewer vehicles compared to their counterparts. In my opinion, there’s very little difference when it comes to road traffic density in Kharghar and Ulwe. Both have identical levels of road traffic.
Winner: Tie
10. Overall cost of living
The cost of living in Kharghar is higher than that in Ulwe. Rent or house payments are the largest expenditure. Other than that, eating out is also a bit pricier, but you can always find affordable restaurants. The public transport in both areas is not up to the mark. Although the city buses are a frugal mode of transport, they are seldom on time. Overall, it will be cheaper for you to stay in Ulwe.
Winner: Ulwe
Final verdict
In the above article, I have compared the two Navi Mumbai cities, and it is clear that Kharghar is a better place to stay. I would suggest you go to Kharghar if you can afford rent or house payments. Similarly, buying a home in Ulwe can be a good investment as the property rates are still low. The prices will go up with the completion of the airport and metro.
