Vasai-Virar

Vasai–Virar is a city and tehsil (subdistrict) in Konkan division of Maharashtra state in western India, comprising the most populated part of Palghar district and is also a part of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). According to the 2011 census, it is the fifth largest city in Maharashtra.[3] It is located in Palghar district, 50+  km north of Mumbai. The city is located on the north bank of Vasai Creek, part of the estuary of the Ulhas River. Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) covers the tehsil.

Vasai–Virar
Metropolitan City
Vasai–Virar
Coordinates: 19.47°N 72.8°E / 19.47; 72.8
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictPalghar
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyVasai-Virar Municipal Corporation
Area
 • Metropolitan City311 km2 (120 sq mi)
 • Metro380 km2 (150 sq mi)
Elevation
11 m (36 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Metropolitan City1,221,233
 • Density3,900/km2 (10,000/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
401201, 401202, 401203, 401207, 401208, 401209, 401303, 401309, 401305
Telephone code0250-XXX XXXX
Vehicle registrationMH-04, MH-48
Sex ratio880 ♂/♀

Vasai–Virar is an agglomeration of several formerly separate towns. The area covered by the city roughly corresponds to the ancient city of Sopara.

History

Main Article: Vasai

Vasai-Virar, formerly Bassein or Vasai, city (municipal corporation), western Maharashtra state, western India. It lies on the Arabian Sea coast north of Mumbai (Bombay).[4] Bassein (Vasai) town was part of the territory of the Hindu Devagiri Yadavas until 1317, and it later became a seaport for the Gujarat Muslim kings.[5] In 1526 the Portuguese established a fort (now in ruins) and trading station at Bassein, and the town became famous for its shipbuilding industry.[6]

The Portuguese with their naval power and their crusading valor were unquestioned masters of the Indian Ocean. When the Portuguese arrived, Bassein was under the rule of Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat.[7]

On 23 December 1534, the Sultan of Gujarat, signed a treaty with the Portuguese and ceded Bassein with its dependencies of Salsette, Mombaim (Bombay), Parel, Vadala, Siao (Sion), Vorli (Worli) (Worli fort photo), Mazagao (Mazgao), Thana, Bandra, Mahim, Caranja (Uran). [8]

Vasai-Virar

In 2009 the town was joined administratively with neighbouring Virar (north) and several dozen other surrounding communities to form Vasai-Virar city, and it immediately became one of the most-populous urban areas in the state.[4] The city has long been a large-scale fishing centre and a wholesale exporter of agricultural produce. Traditional industries include silk and cotton hand-loom weaving and salt manufacture. There has been a rise in construction and in technology-related activities (e.g., software development). The city has also developed as a residential suburb of Mumbai.[4]

Climate

Vasai-Virar has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen: Aw). This moderate climate consists of high rainfall days and very few days of extreme temperatures. 80% of total rainfall occurs between June and October. Annual rainfall averages at 2,000–2,500 mm (79–98 in) and humidity is 61—86%, making it a humid-prehumid zone. The driest days are in winter, while the wettest days occur in July. In recent times, the area has become more flood prone due to rapid urbanisation. The flooding, at times, cuts off the area from surrounding regions. Flooding has also affected transport, agriculture and industrial activities in the past.[9]

Climate data for Vasai-Virar
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 28.5
(83.3)		 29
(84)		 31
(88)		 32.5
(90.5)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32
(90)		 29.7
(85.5)		 29.5
(85.1)		 29.8
(85.6)		 32.1
(89.8)		 32
(90)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.8
(87.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 23.2
(73.8)		 23.7
(74.7)		 26.3
(79.3)		 28.3
(82.9)		 29.8
(85.6)		 29
(84)		 27.4
(81.3)		 27.1
(80.8)		 27
(81)		 27.8
(82.0)		 26.6
(79.9)		 24.6
(76.3)		 26.7
(80.1)
Average low °C (°F) 17.9
(64.2)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.6
(70.9)		 24.2
(75.6)		 26.5
(79.7)		 26.1
(79.0)		 25.1
(77.2)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.3
(75.7)		 23.6
(74.5)		 21.2
(70.2)		 18.9
(66.0)		 22.7
(72.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0
(0)		 1
(0.0)		 1
(0.0)		 0
(0)		 10
(0.4)		 486
(19.1)		 870
(34.3)		 531
(20.9)		 350
(13.8)		 71
(2.8)		 6
(0.2)		 1
(0.0)		 2,327
(91.5)
Source: Climate-Data.org (altitude: 5m)[10]

Demographics

The population of Vasai–Virar was 1,221,233 at the 2011 census, up from 693,350 in 2001, 365,480 in 1991, and 219,868 in 1981, there exists slums and villages as well as urban zones.[11] The projected current population according to the Municipal Corporation is 19.85 Lakhs.[12]

The population of Vasai Virar City comprises many different religions. Among them, Hinduism is practiced by 943,165 people which makes up to 78.05% of the total population, which is below the national average of 80.5%.[13] The table given below shows the total populations of different religions that are practiced along with their percentage.[3]

Religion Total Male Female Percentage
Hindu 1,048,582 557,942 490,640 78.05 %
Muslim 113,475 60,777 52,698 8.45 %
Christian 110,860 55,183 55,677 8.25 %
Buddhist 34,052 17,484 16,568 2.53 %
Jain 23,474 12,050 11,424 1.75 %
Not Stated 8,068 3,775 4,293 0.60 %
Sikh 2,663 1,404 1,259 0.20 %
Others 2,228 1,156 1,072 0.17 %

Governance and politics

The Vasai–Virar urban town is governed by Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. The town was formed in 2009 when it was joined administratively with Virar and other surrounding communities.[4] Vasai-Virar city has been separated from Greater Mumbai and Mira-Bhayandar City because of presence of Vasai Creek.[14] VVCMC is declared as ”C” Class Municipal Corporation.[14]

Civic administration

Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) was formed on 3 July 2010. It is headed by a Municipal commissioner, Shri. Gangatharan D, an Indian Administrative Service officer.[15] He wields the executive power. A quinquennial election is held to elect the governing body, who are responsible for overseeing that their constituencies have the basic civic infrastructure in place, and that there is no lacuna on the part of the authorities.

The position of mayor is a largely ceremonial post with limited duties but the office-holder heads the party with the largest vote. The current mayor of the city Shri. Narayan Mankar. The total number of electoral wards within the city jurisdiction is a 115.[16]

Civic services

Public Transport: The VVMT uses diesel powered buses for its operation. All buses with electronic display board are introduced in the fleet, which have destination with the route number flashing in Marathi as well as English on front of the buses.[17] The VVMT bus routes are spread town-wide and also to neighboring towns and cities. The VVMT operates inter-city services to three different areas beyond the municipal limits of Vasai-Virar Town, i.e. into the limits of the Municipal Corporations of Mira-Bhayander, Thane and Mumbai.[18]

Digital Services: The VVMC website provides information on grocery shops, ration shops, medical shops and community kitchen lists. [19] The website also includes list of eye and blood banks in the city.[20] The website also holds minutes of general body meeting since 2015.[21]

Water Supply: Laying of water pipeline in the Coastal Regulation Zone III area of Kaman river has been approved for the Surya dam water project. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is executing the 403 million litres daily project (MLD) that will bring an additional 54 MLD water supply to the Vasai-Virar region.[22]

Citizen Engagement: A blog known as Vasai Virar Blog for local information is managed by few citizens and can be used by all.[23]It provides information on various services provided in the city like ambulance service and their contact numbers, hospital location in the city and the nearest police station.[24] In addition, information about schools and college in the area are also avaiable.

Transport

The City is well connected to Mumbai by Western Railway and through Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. The city is connected to Navi Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Panvel cities by the Vasai-Diva Railway line.Vasai Virar city has significant growth potential due to close proximity to Brihan Mumbai.[14]

Railways
Mumbai Suburban Local Train

Vasai–Virar Town is connected by the Western Railway and Central Railway. The major railway stations on the Western and Central Railway in Vasai–Virar Town are

Road
Marcopolo Bus
Mini Bus

Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation started its own transport service on 3 October 2012 in association with Bhagirathi Transport Corporation Pvt Ltd, known as VVMT. It operates a large number of bus lines in the Vasai-Virar Town. VVMT also plies its buses in Vasai-Virar villages. It also has operation outside Town limits into neighbouring Town of Mira-Bhayander, Thane City & Mumbai City. VVMT bus ply from Vasai to Thane & Vasai to Mulund.[25]

Other Towns & Cities where VVMT Buses connects
Mira-Bhayander Town
Thane City
Mumbai City
Information of VVMT Bus Routes & Bus Depot
No of Bus Routes 32
No of Depots 1 (Agarwal Nagar, Vasai East)

2 (Navghar, Vasai East)

Operations

The VVMT bus routes are spread town-wide and also to neighbouring towns and cities. The VVMT operates inter-city services to three different areas beyond the municipal limits of Vasai-Virar Town, i.e. into the limits of the Municipal Corporations of Mira-Bhayander, Thane and Mumbai.[25]

Vasai-Virar Town
The local bus services of the city, which are operated by VVMC. The internal places of Vasai-Virar Town which are far from the Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai Road, Naigaon Railway Stations are connected by VVMT. The major concentration has always been Vasai-Virar Town and with vast growing population in the Town.

Vasai-Virar Villages
It is not official, but some faraway Villages from the Virar, Nalasopara and Vasai are connected by VVMT buses. VVMT services are not so frequent in Villages as in the Town.

Mira-Bhayander Town
Services start from Virar, Nalasopara and Vasai Road Railway Stations and passes by Bhayandar via Goudbunder Road. The inter city connection between the Vasai-Virar Town (which on the western railway side) and (which is on the central railway side).

Thane City
Thane City is connected to Vasai by the VVMT. From Vasai it starts its services towards Thane. The inter city connection is between Vasai-Virar Town (which is on the western railway side) and Thane City / Central Mumbai City (via Thane City) (which is on the central railway side).

Mumbai City
Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) is the largest public transport provider in the Mumbai city & suburbs. VVMT connects the last station in Mumbai's suburb Mulund to the Vasai-Virar. The inter-city connection is between Vasai-Virar Town on the western railway side and Central Mumbai City on the central railway side.

Sports

Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon
Sachin at Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon in 2014
Ritesh Deshmukh at Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon

Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon is annual marathon race organised in Vasai-Virar area. It began in 2011 and in 2012 became a National Level running event, recognised by the AFI. The event sees participation in excess of 15,000 across various categories and offers prize money in excess of Rs 30 lakhs.[26]

Swimming Pool

VVMC has built an Olympic-size Swimming Pool in Vasai & Virar.

References
  1. "VVCMC".
  2. http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf
  3. "Census India 2011 Cities above 1 lac population" (PDF). Census India. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  4. "Vasai-Virar | India". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  5. "Vasai History – A Glimpse of Its Past and The Present - Travel India Destinations". web.archive.org. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  6. "History of Vasai | Vasaiker". web.archive.org. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  7. "History of Vasai | Vasaiker". web.archive.org. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  8. "History of Vasai | Vasaiker". web.archive.org. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  9. Mahale, Ajeet (6 December 2019). "Urbanisation made Vasai-Virar more vulnerable to floods: study". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  10. "Climate: Vasai Virar - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  11. http://www.accessanitation.org/fileadmin/accessanitation/Presentation/Final_conference/8_May_2013/5.1_CitySanPlan_MUN_CORP.pdf
  12. "Vasai Virar City | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  13. "Census India 2011".
  14. "Vasai Virar City | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  15. "Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  16. "Vasai Virar City | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  17. "Vasai Virar Transport Service | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  18. "Vasai Virar Transport Service | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  19. "Medical Shop List | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  20. "Medical Shop List | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  21. "General Body Meetings | Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  22. Sep 14, Clara Lewis / TNN /; 2017; Ist, 00:31. "surya: Vasai-Virar to receive additional water from Surya dam | Bhubaneswar News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. "Vasai-Virar Marathon Photos 2019". Vasai-Virar local information and blogs. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  24. "Vasai-Virar Marathon Photos 2019". Vasai-Virar local information and blogs. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  25. About VVMT Bus Services
  26. About Marathon
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