The story
When Mumbai and Thane ran out of land and tightened pollution rules in the 1970s and 1980s, MIDC set up chemical zones in Raigad district at Taloja, Mahad, Roha and Patalganga, close to the Mumbai port and JNPT. Rivers and the coast gave water and effluent outlets, and many large chemical and pharma companies followed. Today these estates have hundreds of units, with common effluent treatment plants.
In numbers
MIDC lists 13 chemical zones in Maharashtra, including Taloja, Mahad, Roha and Patalganga in Raigad district; the state's share of India's output is 22% for pesticides, agro-chemicals and other chemicals.
MIDC focus sector – Chemicals · 2026Taloja MIDC covers 863.19 hectares with 436 plots developed and 326 units in production; Mahad had 136 units and Roha 97 units in production.
Brief Industrial Profile of Raigad District, MSME-DI (Ministry of MSME) · 2017
Ways in for a newcomer
- Contract manufacturing and toll processing for large chemical firms
- Lab testing, effluent analysis and environmental compliance services
- Supply of solvents, packaging drums and industrial gases
- Plant maintenance, fabrication and pipeline work
Problems the cluster faces
- Strict pollution control and frequent closure orders
- Fire and safety risks
- Water scarcity in summer
- Competition from Gujarat's chemical estates
Businesses to start here
Sulphur Black Dye →Red Iron Oxide Pigment →Detergent Powder Unit →Liquid Detergent →Chlorine Tablets (Water Disinfection) →