Vasai-Virar, Maharashtra, India

🇮🇳 Vasai-Virar is a Municipal Corporation that governs the Four Cities i.e. Naigaon, Vasai, Nallasopara & Virar in Konkan division of Maharashtra, India.

The twin city of Vasai-Virar is a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). According to the 2011 census, it is the 5th largest city in Maharashtra. Within a close proximity to Mumbai, it is located in Palghar District, & lies north of Vasai Creek and south of the Vaitarna River. Vasai-Virar is bordered by Mira-Bhayandar and Thane on its south and south-east, Bhiwandi-Nizampur on its east and Palghar rural district on its north.

Vasai-Virar has several train stations. On the western line, it has Naigaon, Vasai Road, Nallasopara, Virar and Vaitarna train stations, where as on the central line it has Juchandra and Kaman Road stations.

History Vasai-Virar, formerly Bassein or Vasai, is a city (municipal corporation) in western Maharashtra state, western India. It lies on the Arabian Sea coast north of Mumbai (Bombay). 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. In 1526 the Portuguese established a fort (now in ruins) and trading station at Vasai, and the town became famous for its shipbuilding industry.

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

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

Vasai-Virar In 2009, the town was joined administratively with neighboring Virar (north) and several dozen other surrounding communities to form the Vasai-Virar twin city, and it immediately became one of the most-populous urban areas in the state. 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).

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 node of Navi Mumbai city by the Vasai-Diva Railway line. Vasai-Virar city has significant growth potential due to close proximity to city-proper Mumbai.

Transport: Rail Vasai-Virar city is connected by the Western Railway and Central Railway. The major railway stations on the Western and Central Railway in Vasai–Virar city are: • Virar railway station (Western Railway): All Local, MEMU, Shuttle, very few Express trains but all Passenger Trains halt or depart from here. • Nala Sopara railway station (Western Railway): All Local & MEMU halt here. • Vasai Road railway station (Western/Central Railway): Vasai Road Railway Station is a Junction. All Local, MEMU, Shuttle, Express trains but only which are coming from Bhiwandi side and all Passenger Trains halt or Depart from here. • Naigaon railway station (Western Railway): All Local Trains halt here. • Juchandra railway station (Central Railways): All MEMU local halt here. • Kaman Road railway station (Central Railway): All MEMU local halt here.

Transport: Road 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 city. VVMT also plies its buses in Vasai-Virar villages. It also has operation outside city limits into neighbouring city of Mira-Bhayandar, Thane, and Mumbai. VVMT bus ply from Vasai to Thane & Vasai to Mulund.

Other Towns & Cities where VVMT Buses connects

Mira-Bhayandar City

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 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-Bhayandar, Thane, and Mumbai.

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

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

Mira-Bhayandar City Services start from Virar, Nala Sopara and Vasai Road Railway Stations and passes by Bhayandar via Ghodbunder Road. The inter city connection between the Vasai-Virar city (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 city (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.

Sport: Marathon Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon is annual marathon race organized 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.

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