The rise of Mumbai's
real estate prices has been instrumental in the development of the Mira-Bhayandar region. From 1947 onwards, primarily developed by Bharat Shah, the rise in
real estate prices prompted several largely lower-and middle-income families to migrate to the satellite cities of Mumbai, like
Virar,
Vasai, and
Nalasopara. At that time, the Mira-Bhayandar area was part of a
Gram Panchayat, and consisted primarily of
agricultural land, majorly rice. This delayed and deterred builders from starting development projects. By 1980, builders began to buy agricultural land and start developing townships. The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Council was set up on June 12, 1985, by integrating five Gram Panchayats, which included the Mira Gram Panchayat, from which Mira Road got its name. By 1990, the council was extended, and it held the first election.
Gilbert Mendonca was elected as the first president of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Council. As it is located very close to the city, with easy accessibility by road as well as railway, and the facilities for the city also extending to this town, have resulted in an increase in population, and Mira Bhayandar as a whole, developed further. The
Municipal Council later on, 28 February 2002, was changed to a
Municipal Corporation due to its large population, and had its first elected mayor, Smt. Maira Mendonca on 11 August. Mira Road and its neighbouring suburb
Bhayandar began emerging as a fast-developing suburb and experienced economic development mainly due to its manufacturing sector. Most of the development, has occurred only on the east side, whereas the west side of the railway line is covered with salt pans and
mangroves. == Demographics ==