Advantages and Factors of Development:

(i) Raw material: A lot of cotton is produced in the area around Mumbai. Before independence, however, cotton used to be imported through Mumbai port.

(ii) Sources of energy: This region is situated at a long distance from the coal producing regions. But electricity is easily available from the Tata Hydro-electric power houses and the Tarapur Nuclear Power Station.

(iii) Climate: Humid climate of this region is suitable for cotton textile industry. Due to humid climate, thread does not snap while spinning.

(iv) Capital and banking facilities: Mumbai is a major trading metropolis. Capital and banking facilities are, therefore, easily available.

(v) Port facilities: The British purchased the Island of Mumbai in 1774 and built a port here. A railway line had been laid in 1853 connecting Mumbai with Thane. Mumbai port is connected to Pune through Bhorghat Pass and to Nasik through Thalghat Pass. Mumbai port developed rapidly after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 .Its hinterland has a dense network of railways and roads. It is a point of convergence of international air routes also.

(vi) Market: This region is prosperous economically and the people here have a high purchasing power. Therefore, there is a large demand of industrial goods in the domestic market. The region has easy access to international markets also.

(vii) Labour: Skilled and unskilled labour is easily available. Services of foreign experts are also utilised these days.

Important Industries: Cotton textiles, woollen, silk and synthetic fibres and textile printing are the chief industries in this region. It is the largest cotton textile producing region in Asia. Manufacturing vegetable oils, rubber goods, soaps and detergents, electrical goods, engineering goods, automobiles, cycles, etc. and oil refining are also important industries of this region.

Chief Industrial Centres: Mumbai, the neighbouring suburbs of Thane, Lalganj, Parel, Worli, Mahi, Dadar, etc. and Pune are the chief industrial centres of this region.