In the pre-independence period, (prior to 1947) the Britishers had planned the city limit to extend only upto Matunga from where towards the north end of the city the land was marshy with very few inhabitants living in nearby sion lake. Areas like Ghatkopar, Mulund etc. were never heard of. It is believed that most of Dombivali was jungles with wild animals freely roaming around.

Today, with space being at a premium in the city, the Central suburbs have stretched far and wide. Multi storied buildings and complexes have sprung up everywhere alongwith several industrial units in Bhandup, Vikhroli and the Thane Belapur belt, opening up various vocational, business and employment opportunities to the ever increasing migrants to the city. The unchecked increase in population, has given an impetus to criminal activities like bootlegging, robbery, prostitution, and other nefarious activities in the central suburbs. The lack of space for further development in the central suburbs forced the government to embark on the ambitious plan of developing New Bombay - a twin to Mumbai.