# Vapi

Vapi (IAST: vāpī, pronunciation), is a city and Municipal Corporation in Valsad district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is situated near the banks of the Daman Ganga River, around 28 km south of the district headquarters in the city of Valsad, and it is surrounded by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.It is located near Maharashtra. The town originally belonged to the Kshatriya Jagirdar family Palande during The Great Maratha Empire. After independence from the British Crown, the Jagirdar system was abolished by the Indian government in 1951 and the community of Anavil Brahmin who formerly acted as tax farmers during the era of the Maratha Empire received the land. It is believed that the city got its name from the old small stepwell which was built by Maratha and is situated near the Balitha area.The meaning of vapi (वापी) in sanskrit is a water reservoir or a water storage body.
Vapi is one of the largest industrial areas in Gujarat in terms of small-scale industries, dominated by the chemical industry.

## Geography

NH 48 bisects the city. The western part was the original location of the town, while the eastern part consists mainly of industry and newer residential areas. Mumbai is roughly 180 km to the south, and Surat is about 120 km to the north.
The Arabian Sea, at the delta of the Damanganga, is about 7 km to the west. The city has tropical weather and enjoys three distinct seasons: winter, summer and monsoon, with rainfall ranging from 100 inches to 120 inches per annum. The Dhobikhadi, Bhilkhadi, Kolak and Damanganga rivers flow through Vapi.
Surrounding locations include Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Umargam, Sarigam, Bhilad, Udvada, Sanjan and Pardi.

## Transport

National Highway 48 passes through Vapi. It is connected to all major cities. It is the only place from which one can visit Daman and Silvassa. City bus service is available.
To cater to industry, the city hosts what is called a "floating population". The Vapi railway station on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail link of Western Railway has become the direct beneficiary in terms of revenues due to daily commuters. It is the only city connecting Daman district with Dadra and Nagar Haveli district.
A coast guard airport is running in Daman where private charters can operate with prior permissions. It will also be one of the stations in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, otherwise known as the 'Bullet train project'.

## Economy

Proximity to the larger cities of Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, coupled with liberal Government policy, has helped Vapi and surrounding areas attain their current level of industrial activity. ⁨Vapi⁩ has an estimated GDP per capita of $⁨11.4 thousand⁩. ⁨Manufacturing⁩ industries staff account for more almost 40% f all workers in the city

## Demography

As per census of 2011 done by the Indian government, population of Vapi in 2011 was 163,630, of which male and female are 94,105 and 69,525 respectively. The average literacy rate is 89%. Gujarati and Hindi are the most common languages, although due to its need of workers in factories at all levels from labourers to executives, people from all states of India can be found here thriving.
According to 2011 census, Hinduism is majority religion in Vapi city with 77.37% followers. Islam is second most popular religion with approximately 18.37% following it. Christianity is followed by 0.62%, Jainism by 3.11%, Sikhism by 0.15% and Buddhism by 0.15%.