Around 28 km south of the district headquarter city of Valsad, it is surrounded by Union Territories of Daman on the west and by Dadra and Nagar Haveli on the east. Economic and industrial growth of the recent decades has, however, blurred the physical boundaries, and the small stretch of roughly 21 km of Daman-Vapi-Silvassa has almost become a monolith.
The town originally belonged to Desai (Anavil Bramhins) Community and is now a very important industrial town. Vapi holds its place of importance on the "industrial" map and it is the largest industrial area in Asia in terms of small-scale industries, dominated by chemical industry plants, along with their unfortunate hazards. It has been ranked as the 4th most polluted place in the world.[1]
Geography
National Highway 8 bisects the city, creating east and west parts - the western part being the original old town-place, and the eastern part mainly hosting the industries and the newly constructed residential areas. Via the modernized highway, Mumbai is about 180 km to the south and the city of Surat is about 125 km to the north.
The Arabian Sea is about 7 km to the west, where the Daman Ganga River creates its delta. The city has tropical weather and enjoys three distinct seasons of mild winter, moderate summer and heavy monsoon, with rainfall ranging from 100 inches to 120 inches per annum.
In addition to the old town, some of the other main residential areas and suburbs that make Vapi a city are Geeta Nagar, Gunjan, Chanod Colony, Vapi Town, Dungra, Hariya Park, Chala and also up coming Balitha and Salvav with many other small areas.
Transportation
National Highway 8 passes through Vapi. It is connected to all major cities of India. It is the only place from where one can visit Daman & Silvassa. City bus service is available in Vapi.
To cater to the industry, the city handles a huge amount of what is called a "floating population" and the Vapi railway station on the Mumbai-Vadodara rail link of Western Railway (India) has become the direct beneficiary in terms of revenues due to daily commuters. Most of the trains (along with August Kranti-Rajdhani Express) passing through Vapi have a stop here.
Industrial zone
Proximity to the larger cities of Mumbai and Surat, coupled with liberal Government policy, has helped Vapi and surrounding areas in attaining their current level of industrial growth. The "Vapi Industrial Estate" was started by GIDC in 1967, and has spread to 11.4 km² and houses over 1400 industries, the majority of which are small-scale units (SSIs). [citation needed]
Today, about 70% of the total industries in the township are chemical plants, mainly for chemical distillation and the production of pesticides, dyes, dye intermediaries and paints. Other major industries include paper, packaging, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, textiles, wood, Computer Hardware & Software, Engineering Workshop, glass, and food products. Another striking feature of Vapi is the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (or CETP).[2] This is the largest of its kind in Asia[citation needed], treating the pollutants from these industries before the effluent is released in the Daman Ganga River. The CETP is run by Vapi Waste & Effluent Management Company, promoted by the Vapi Industries Association, CETP is one of the India's biggest plant in term of capacity.
Center of Excellence
[3] Aided by Indian Infrastructure Development Scheme (IIDS) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Vapi Industrial Estate, Vapi got an opportunity to host a Center of excellence. The Facility is equipped with almost all the latest analysis equipments and well trained staff. Facility also has Library, Information center as well as Pilot Plant facility for conducting feasibility study for product and process development.
Pollution
A study in 2007 by the Blacksmith Institute found Vapi to be one of the ten worst polluted places in the world. There has been progress since then on cleaning up the area.[4]
This claim has been vehemently opposed by the Vapi Industries Association and Vapi Waste & Effluent Management Company Ltd. As a result they have dragged the Blacksmith Institute to the courts by filing a law suit for Rs. 40 Crores. The Blacksmith Institute have reported the pollution levels based on the Gujarat Pollution Control Board of 1998. But since then not much has changed and the pollution is getting worse day after day. The Common Effluent treatment plant does not meet all the parameters set by both state and central pollution control boards[citation needed].
Vapi railway yard is just adjacent to the platform and it is creating a lot air pollution while loading unloading cement. The yard is not yet concreted.
Geographical importance
Vapi is surrounded by some magnificent location around it namely:
Daman & Diu,
Dadra & Nagar Haveli,
Umbergaon,
Sarigam,
Bhilad,
Udavada,
Sanjan,
Pardi,
Silvassa.
Premises of Vapi are rich in all sorts, i.e. both the Union territories as well as Sarigam, Bhilad, Umbergaon & Pardi are good residential cum commercial areas, which are situated near Vapi with a mere distance of 12–40 km. Daman and Silvassa (capital of D&NH) have proved magnificent attraction for tourist not only in India but they have been successful enough to attract people from other countries even. Vapi has recorded a very important note in Gujarat's and India's success story.
Education
Schools
Shree Swaminarayn Gurukul, Chala
Smt. Sandraben Shroff Gnyandham High School
Boon max high school
Desai NDN Sarvajanik High School
Eurokids nursery,
Fellowship Mission School,
Kelkar Vaze Marathi Vidyalaya.
L.G. Haria Multipurpose School,
Modern English High School,
Municipality primary school and high school.
Raichand Gulabchand Achchariwala sarvajanik High School,
Sanskardham school (nursery)
Saraswat International Academy
Shivang high school
Shree Swaminarayan High School,
Ashadham (Mother of Hope) High School,
St Mary's School,
St.Francis' high school,
St.Xavier's high school,
Upasana High School,
Vapi Public School,
Laxmi Vidyapeeth.
Many other small n big schools
Colleges
G.I.D.C ROFEL Business School (PGDM) (AICTE approved)-www.grbsvapi.org
Rofel Arts & Commerce College Vapi,
G.I.D.C Rajju Shroff Rofel Institute of Management Studies College,
ROFEL Shri G. M. Bilakhia College of Applied Sciences,
ROFEL Shri GM Bilakhia College of Pharmacy,
R.K.Desai College of arts and science,
KBS College of professional Science & Commerce.
SSR college (MBA & Pharmacy)
Many other small n big colleges
Institutions
Paradise Typing Institute
Databank Computer Institute. etc, etc
Sai Computer Instituate
Banks
Event though it is not too big in size, but Vapi being an Industrail Hub, has plenty of options when it comes to banks.
Sardar Bhiladwala Pardi People Co. Op. Bank is the most popular in the region and no other bank comes close to the services provided by Sardar Bhiladwala Bank. All the locals of the city have a lot of trust in the bank an the customers of the bank are very loyal.
Even in a small area, Sardar Bhiladwala Bank effectively runs 5 branches.
Other Banks in Vapi are:
Axis Bank
ICICI Bank
HDFC
IndusInd Bank
Bank of Baroda
State Bank of India
Dena Bank
IDBI
Citi Bank
Saraswat Co. Op. Bank
YES Bank
Rivers
North: Dhobikhadi, Bhilkhadi, Kolak
South: Damanganga
Evening hangouts
Damanganga Riverbanks: Damanganga river banks comes out to be a good hangout options for visitors. Due to open skies and clear waters (only from incoming stream) this site has become centre for attraction during evening.
G.I.D.C Garden: the garden is a joggers park surrounded by a lush green environment and open field which is a preferred place for childerens to play especially during summer evenings.
Daman beaches : Daman being very close to vapi makes it a good destination to visit. Princess Park, Devka Beach and J.T being the favourite destinations.
Silvassa: Silvassa is dotted with beautiful resorts and spas. Recommended for high profile visits. Dadra Garden d best location 4 bollywood
