Powai is a part of the
Mumbai Suburban District, located in the north-eastern region of what is today considered to be the modern Mumbai metropolis. Administratively, it is a part of the Kurla
tehsil and much of the area falls within the boundaries of the
S-ward, the largest ward in Mumbai. Powai is situated on the banks of its namesake
lake and boasts of a recently revamped, landscaped garden with viewing decks, a children's play area and synchronized fountains. The privately run Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, located within the Hiranandani residential complex, is the first superspeciality hospital in the area. As a result of prolific construction activity in the last two decades, the area has one of the highest residential population densities in suburban Mumbai. The development in the region has, however, hurt the environment, with the area facing the ill-effects of excessive concretisation, resulting in a shrinking number of open spaces, File:Hiranandani Gardens, Powai skyline.JPG|
Hiranandani Gardens skyline (seen from
Powai Lake).
Lake gives the area its name, and is one of the three lakes located within Mumbai. Perhaps the best-known landmark of Powai is the
Powai Lake, a 120-year-old lake that was originally used to supply water to the city of Mumbai, and is today used as an industrial sewage outlet. In the past, fishing and bird-watching were popular recreational activities that took place along the shores of the lake. Rare migration birds were known to visit the lake each year, and the lake boasted a variety of fish species. Crocodiles have also been spotted alongside the lake. However, the rapid and uncontrolled growth of the region in recent years has hurt the flora and fauna found in and around the lake. In its day, the lake used to be an idyllic picnic spot for people wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. ==History==