Have you ever crossed Mumbai's Vile Parle area in the local train? While most train journeys take us across localities with various kinds of odours--from the vile to the fragrant--crossing Vile Parle had always been a pleasure.

The aroma of India's favourite cookie/biscuit, Parle G, being baked in a large factory very close to the station made a journey through Vile Parle a drool-worthy experience, to say the least. This, unfortunately, will no longer be the case.

The iconic Parle factory at Vile Parle closed its doors permanently this week, after functioning for 87 years.

The Parle factory at Vile Parle has been functioning for 87 years. Picture courtesy: Twitter/amamsshah The Parle factory at Vile Parle has been functioning for 87 years. Picture courtesy: Twitter/amamsshah

Started in 1929, this was the first factory established by Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., the company that gives us those sweet biscuits full of energy-inducing glucose. In fact, the company borrowed its name from the area itself, so much so that the factory has become the landmark for Vile Parle over the decades.

Mumbaikars and Parle G fans took to social media to share their dismay at the factory's closure. Picture courtesy: Twitter/ParleG Mumbaikars and Parle G fans took to social media to share their dismay at the factory's closure. Picture courtesy: Twitter/ParleG

According to a Mid-Day report, this factory had to shut down thanks to low productivity over the past few years. The owners halted the production a few weeks ago, and finally had to close its doors.

Also read: Mumbai says goodbye to another landmark as Mani's Lunch Home shuts down



In recent years, we've seen many Mumbai landmarks bite the dust--Rhythm House, Samovar, and more recently, Mani's Lunch Home. As the city moves faster and faster towards progress, these shops, restaurants and factories just don't seem to belong in the urban fabric any longer.

The 87-years-old factory had to be closed due to low productivity. Picture courtesy: Twitter/suhaasjoshi The 87-years-old factory had to be closed due to low productivity. Picture courtesy: Twitter/suhaasjoshi

However, this does not mean that we won't get to indulge in our favourite tea-time biscuits anymore. Parle has a number of other factories in the country (in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana), and will continue producing all its products like Frooti, Hide & Seek and Bourbon, apart from Parle G.

Raise a glass of cutting chai and a packet of Parle G to bid the iconic factory goodbye. Picture courtesy: Instagram/chaiiwala Raise a glass of cutting chai and a packet of Parle G to bid the iconic factory goodbye. Picture courtesy: Instagram/chaiiwala

Parle G fans (and there are thousands of those in this country) and Mumbaikars, who enjoyed the delicious fragrance of the factory, have taken to sharing their dismay on social media since the Vile Parle factory's closure became news.

We can do nothing about the landmark that was such an intrinsic part of Vile Parle, but all the cookie monsters out there will still get to indulge in Parle products.

In fact, we believe the best way to bid this 87-year-old landmark a worthy goodbye is to raise a glass of cutting chai and Parle G to its fond memory.