Panvel

Panvel is a city located in the Raigad District of Maharashtra. Popularly known as 'the gateway to the Konkani region', Panvel adjoins Navi Mumbai and is situated near the Thane District border. Panvel is a popular tourist destination owing to its historic significance.

Panvel, the largest and the most populated city of Raigad, is situated amidst small mountains on the Mumbai Pune Expressway at a distance of about 22 km from Mumbai and 15 km from Karjat. Panvel is well connected to all major cities by road as it is the starting point of National Highway 17, known also as Mumbai-Goa Highway, the 7th longest highway in India.  

As per the recorded history, the city of Panvel is 300 years old. Initially known as 'Pavanpalli', Panvel was a flourishing trade centre, under the Mughal Kingdom. The city had well developed trade routes both on land and sea, and it witnessed huge influx of trade merchants. Panvel later came under the reign of the Marathas and then under the Portuguese and the British.  

Situated on the river banks of Gadhi, which becomes Panvel Creek on its further course, the city of Panvel consists of two parts - Old Panvel and New Panvel. Old Panvel comprises of the old port town of Panvel that has more or less preserved the flora and fauna of the place. The remnants of the bygone era can be seen here.

New Panvel, on the other hand, consists of newly developed areas which were constructed with the purpose of inviting financial investments. Initially, New Parvel was developed to accommodate people working in the neighbouring industrial areas like Taloja, Rasayani, Patalganga and Pen.  But today, New Panvel is a fast developing industrial area that attracts reputed Indian as well as foreign investors.

Service sector and agricultural sector form the economic base of Panvel. Tourism also plays an integral part in the development of Panvel. There are many historic monuments in the city of Panvel that tells about its glorious past.

The hill station of Karjat, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Haji Malang, Prabal Gad, Mahad (Raigadh Fort), the temples of Ballaleshwar Pali & Mahad – Ganesha, etc. are some prominent attractions near Panvel. The proximity to Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on Elephanta Island, attracts hordes of tourists to Panvel.