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Chapter 3

Profile of Vasai Taluka

This chapter discusses various aspects of the study area i.e. Vasai Taluka such as

geographical location, demographic features, historical background, socio-economic factors

etc. Data was collected from Tehsil office and the office of the Panchayat samitis of the

villages in Vasai Taluka. Data was also collected from the official websites of the

Government of Maharashtra.

3.1 Geographical aspects of Vasai Taluka:

Vasai Taluka is a part of Thane district in Maharashtra. Geographically it is situated

between East 72.480 to 72.540 Latitudes and North 19.240 to 19.280 Longtitudes. On the

eastern side there is Bhiwandi and Wada Taluka and on the west is the Arabian Sea. On the

north the Vaitarna river separates Vasai Taluka from Palghar Taluka and on the south it is

separated from Thane main land by the Vasai creek. Vasai has two small sea ports, one at

Arnala in the north and the second at Vasai in the south. Earlier Vasai was a small island

port comprising of the region between modern day Agashi, Bolinj, Umrale, Sopara right up

to Juchandra (Naigaon East). The creek in between connected to the Ulhas river, made it

possible to commute between Agashi and Thane by a water way. Archaeological finds have

also established that Sopara was once an important sea port of western India. Trade

flourished from Sopara to Cyelon during the Ashoka period. Over the years silt and deposits

from the Vaitarna and Ulhas river brought from the eroding mountain range of Sahyadri

accumulated in this creek and a rich patch of fertile land mass was formed. Although this

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hampered the fishing industry eventually it made modern day Vasai a very fertile agricultural

land mass. Vasai today is divided into two parts by the north south traversing western

railway. The west comprises of coastal and agricultural plain and the east is mostly a hilly

region with dense jungles at certain points. The natives, stay on the western side and prefer to

carry on their agriculture and fishing activities for their everyday livelihood. Few of them

also commute to the city everyday for work. The eastern side is more populated by new

settlers who make their living by taking up jobs in the city. The natives of Vasai always had a

liking and love for music, dance, drama, paintings, crafts and sculptures.

3.2 Demographic features of Vasai Taluka:

3.2.1 Features of population from census report of 2011:

Table 3.1 shows details of population of Vasai Taluka as per 2011 census. The

provisional total population was 13,42,134. The urban population of Vasai Virar city was

1,221,233 of which 6,49,535 were males and 5,71,698 females. Its rural population was

1,20,901 of which 61,562 were males and 59,339 were females. The child population (0-6) in

Vasai Virar city was 1,37,343. There were 71,716 boys and 65,627 girls. The rural child

population was 1,51,155 of which 78,720 were boys and 72,435 were girls. The child

population forms 11.25 % of total population. As per Census India report on 2011, sex ratio

of Vasai Virar city was 880 per 1000 males. Child sex ratio was 915 girls per 1000 boys.

Compared to India‟s sex ratio (940 females per 1000 males as per 2011 census) this ratio was

less. But compared to the average sex ratio of Thane district (857 females per 1000 males) it

was high.

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Literacy rate is an important indicator of economic and human development of the

area. In education field, the average literacy rate of urban area i.e. Vasai Virar city is

remarkable. It was 91.15 % of which male and female literacy was 94.86 % and 86.90 %

respectively. The rural literacy rate was 77.80 % whereas male literacy rate was 85.27 % and

female was 70.06 %. Compared to India‟s literacy rate which was found to be 74.04%

according to 2011 census Vasai Taluka‟s literacy rate was much higher.

Table 3.1

Details of provisional population of 2011 census

Details Total Male Female

Urban Population 12,21,233 6,49,535 5,71,698

Rural population 1,20,901 61,562 59,339

Total population 13,42,134 71,1097 6,31,037

0-6 year children:

Urban

Rural

1,37,343

1,51,155

71,716

78,720

65,627

72,435

Urban literacy rate 91.15 94.86 86.90

Rural literacy rate 77.80 85.27 70.06

Average sex ratio 880 - -

Child sex ratio 915 - -

Source: Tehsil office Vasai.

3.2.2 Comparative features of population 2001 - 2011:

Comparative population of Vasai Taluka according to 2001 and 2011 census is shown

in Table 3.2. It revealed that number of households has increased from 91,000 to 2,96,118.

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The total population has increased from 7,65,863 to 13,42,134. The urban area of Vasai

Taluka is growing rapidly. The population growth was higher in urban area compared to

rural area. In rural area it was found that population has reduced to 1,20,901 from 2,77,262

while that of urban area has increased to 12,21,233 from 5,18,601. The male female ratio has

shown slight improvement i.e. from 880 females in 2001 to 887 females per 1000 males in

2011.

Table 3.2

Comparative population of Vasai

Particulars 2001 census 2011 census*

Gram panchayat 72 35

Families 91,000 2,96,118

Population 7,65,863 13,42,134

Rural 2,77,262 1,20,901

Female 1,30,634 59,339

Male 1,46,628 61,562

Urban 5,18,601 12,21,233

Female 2,41,919 5,71,698

Male 2,76,682 6,49,535

Male-Female ratio 88.0 88.74

Source: 2001: GOI census commission, 2011: Tehsil office, Vasai, * Provisional

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3.2.3 Caste wise classification of population:

The total population as per caste is shown in Table 3.3. The total population was based

on 2001 census. As per data collected in 2005-2006, Scheduled Caste (SC) population of

Taluka was 2.11% while Scheduled Tribe (ST) was 10.21%.

Table 3.3

Caste wise classification

Name Male Female Total Percentage (%)

Total Population 4,23,310 3,72,553 7,95,863 -

SC 8,827 7,991 16,818 02.11

ST 40,866 40,406 81,272 10.21

- 4 -G:\District profile.doc (Survey year 2005-2006)

3.2.4 Area wise population:

Vasai Taluka includes rural as well as urban area. The detailed explanation of

population to area, sex and caste is shown in Table 3.4. The total population of Taluka

according to 2001 census was 7,95,863. It comprises of 2,77,262 rural population and

5,18,601 urban population. There were 16,818 (2.11%) people who belonged to SC category

and 81,272 (10.21%) people belonged to ST category. Among SC category 5,149 (1.86%)

people were in rural area while 11,669 (2.25%) people settled in urban areas. In case of ST

category majority i.e. 68,058 (24.5%) people belonged to rural area and 13,214 (2.54%)

people were in urban area.

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Table 3.4

Population as per caste and gender

Details Rural Urban Total % of Total

Total population 2,77,262 5,18,601 7,95.863 -

Scheduled Caste 5,149 11,669 16,818 2.11

Scheduled Tribes 68,058 13,214 81,272 10.21

Male 1,46,628 2,76,682 42,3310 -

Female 1,30,634 2,41,919 3,72,553 -

www.thane.nic.in/index.html census 2001.

3.2.5 Poverty:

A special survey was conducted during 2002 to 2007 to study poverty status of Village

Panchayats of Vasai Taluka. Table 3.5 shows poverty details of the same. The total

households in all village panchayats were classified into two categories i.e. Above Poverty

Line (APL) families and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The data revealed that of total

63,123 families, majority i.e. 50,783 households were in APL group and 12,340 households

were BPL families. There were 19.55% of the families that were below poverty line. It was

the second lowest in the district. The average poverty of Thane district was recorded as

45.08%. The standard of living of villages was found to be comparatively better. This was

due to availability of local employment in primary and asecondary sectors. This region is

connected to Mumbai city by western railway line. Therefore many people daily travel to city

for work.

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Table 3.5

Poverty details

Nos. of Villages

Panchayat

Total Nos. of

Families

Total Nos. of

APL Families

Total Nos. of

BPL Families

72 63,123

(100.00)

50,783

(79.45)

12,340

(19.55)

Source: BPL Survey 2002-2007, 8 -G:\District profile.doc

3.2.6 Population growth trend:

The growth trend in population of Vasai for the last five decades is given in

Table 3.6.

Table 3.6

Vasai Taluka population growth

Names Population Compound Growth Rate

1971 1981 1991 2001 2011* 1971-81 1981-91 1991-2001 2001-11

Vasai-Navghar 67,500 80,750 12,795 1,62,069 2,07,867 1.81 4.71 2.39 2.52

Nallasopara 16,078 29,319 83,800 2,29,507 4,26,386 6.19 11.07 10.60 6.39

Virar 27,266 42,904 77,965 1,68,574 2,70,885 4.64 6.15 8.02 4.86

VVNA Coast 66,790 75,461 91,304 89,494 68,065 1.23 1.92 -0.20 -2.70

VVNA Rural

Sub-region

15,276 25,211 25,206 24,713 18,382 5.14 0.00 -0.20 -2.92

Remaining

Vasai Tehsil

7,889 11,581 14,013 13,735 10,448 3.91 1.92 -0.20 -2.70

Total 2,00,799 2,65,226 3,05,083 6,88,092 1,00,2033

8 -G:\District profile.doc, * estimated

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The compound growth rate is shown to study the trend. The data revealed a continuous

growth in population. The highest growth rate was recorded in the year1981-91. Thereafter

there was a declining trend. Area wise growth was more in Nallasopara region followed by

Virar region. These two are rapidly growing cities of the Taluka. The rise in population was

due to large numbers of migrants from nearby urban areas. Where urban areas showed rising

trend, the growth trend of rural areas has declined.

Figure 3.1

Population growth trend

3.3 Environmental features:

3.3.1 Climate:

There is a meteorological observatory in the district at Dahanu. The records of this

observatory are taken as representative of the meteorological conditions in Vasai. But in the

interior parts temperatures are likely to be slightly lower in the cold season and higher in the

hot season than at Dahanu. Being a coastal area in Vasai temperature varies from 22°C to

36°C. The variation of temperature during the day and between the three seasons is not large.

After February temperature progressively increases till May which is the hottest month with

Growth chart

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Period

Po

pu

lati

on

1971-81

1981-91

1991-2001

2001-2011

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the mean daily maximum temperature at 32.90°C. in the summer season and in June before

the onset of the monsoon day temperature may sometimes go above 37.0°C. in the coastal

parts while in the interior it may be a couple of degree higher. The oppressive heat is on most

days relieved by cool sea breezes particularly in the coastal regions. The afternoon thunder-

showers on some days during the hot season also bring welcome relief. On the onset of the

south-west monsoon by about the first or second week of June the temperature decreases a

little. From about beginning of October when the south-west monsoon withdraws day

temperature increases, and in October and November days are nearly as hot as in the

summer, while nights become progressively cooler. After November, temperature decreases.

January is the coldest month in the year. The mean daily maximum temperature is 27.70°C.

and the mean daily minimum temperature is 16.80°C. In the cold season cold wave

sometimes affects the area when the night temperature may go down to less than 10.0°C.

Owing to the proximity of the sea, the area on the whole is very humid nearly all the year

round. During the south-west monsoon season the sky is heavily clouded to overcast. In the

rest of the year sky is clear or lightly clouded.

3.3.2 Rainfall:

Average annual rainfall is 2000–2500 mm and humidity is 61-86%, making it a humid-

perhumid zone. Rainy season i.e. June to September, accounts for about 94 per cent of the

annual rainfall. July is rainiest month with a rainfall of about 40 percent of the total annual

rain. The rainfall increases from the coast towards the interior.

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3.4 Historical background of Vasai Taluka:

Enriched with beauty of nature and culture Vasai dates back to the history of Puranic

ages. The present name Vasai originates from Sanskrit word “Waas” meaning dwelling or

residence. The name was changed to „Basai‟ by Muslims who ruled it before the Portuguese.

The Portuguese named it „Bacaim‟. The Marathas after them named it „Bajipura or Bajipur‟.

The Britishers named it „Bassein‟ and today it is called „Vasai‟. Historically, the region has

attracted traders and merchants from Rome, Greece and Middle East along with Arabs,

Greeks and Persians. Vasai is historically a famous place. It has demonstrated religious

harmony throughout its history. Having been under Portuguese rule for a long period, Vasai

has significant Portuguese cultural influence. Vasai was the seat of the various political

powers namely Guhashayas, Mauryas, Sungas, Satavahanas, Guptas, Shilahaaras, Yadavas,

Mughal, Portuguese, Marathas, British and Union of India (Since 1947 called Free India).

Vasai boomed as a seat of knowledge where students and scholars from as far as Europe

came to learn and also propagate their philosophy. It was trade centre for spices, grains,

sugar, and the ship building industry. The salubrious climate and the burgeoning profits saw

many wealthy merchants in the Buddhist rule and the Portuguese rule. Portuguese noble

persons resided here in lavish villas.

Vasai came under the control of the Sultans of Gujarat in the 15th century. The

Portuguese attacked the city in 1528, and captured it in 1532. The city, known to the

Portuguese as Baçaim, became the centre of Portuguese India‟s Northern Province, which

included a string of Portuguese settlements extending almost 100 km along the coast and in

some places 30-50 km inland.

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In the second half of 16th century the Portuguese enclosed the town in a new fortress

wall with 10 bastions. The city reached the height of its prosperity at the end of the 17th

century. During the 18th century, the city was eclipsed by nearby Bombay, which had been

given up to the British in 1661, and shortly thereafter became the headquarters of the British

East India Company in India. The Marathas captured Kalyan in 1720, and in 1737 they

captured Thane and Salsette Island from the Portuguese. The other Portuguese settlements in

the Northern Province were captured in 1738-39, and in February 1739, the Maratha General

Chimnaji Appa laid siege to Baçaim, which capitulated on 16 May 1739.

The British captured Salsette and Baçaim, which they called Bassein, from the

Marathas in 1774, at the start of the First Anglo-Maratha War. The Treaty of Bassein was

concluded between the Marathas and the British East India Company on 31st December 1802,

which left the British in possession of Bassein.

The town of Sopara was centre of the Indian Ocean trade since Roman times. The trade

included horses, fish, salt, timber, and quarried basalt and granite and was a shipbuilding

centre. The Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) (present Central Railway) and the Bombay Baroda

and Central India Railway (BB&CI) (present Western Railway) were built through Vasai-

Virar in 1860, and regular rail service started in 1869. The first electric locomotives started

operating on the line in 1927. The region has seen a construction boom since the 1980s,

including the expansion of factories plants and offices from Mumbai. The land development

boom has resulted in the loss of much of the region's wetlands and forest cover.

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3.4.1 Religious history:

Vasai has always been the largest contributor of scholars for the Vedic Religion, Jain-

Buddhist sects and priests to the Bombay Archdiocese. This place is known for one of the

four famous sarovars, Nirmal Sarovar of Vedic religion called Mahasmashan during times of

Lord Parashurama. It was one of the 84 Gacchas of Jains. It was the centre of learning for

the Maitreya Buddhist sect. The sacred place with three tombs each of 5th

, 7th

and 38th

Jagadguru Shankaracharyas namely Vidyaranya Swami, Padmanabha Tirtha Swami, and

Narayan Upendra Swami were in this region. The diocese has also contributed India's First

Catholic saint St. Gonsalo Garcia.

3.5 Economy of Vasai Taluka:

3.5.1 Agriculture:

Traditionally Vasai was agricultural dominating area along with trading centre. Natives

of this region were mostly into fishing, horticulture, farming and industrial area. It had rich

agricultural region with rice, betel, plantain, cotton, sugarcane, vegetables and flowers

cultivation. Today rural population of Vasai Taluka is engaged in agricultural activities. The

main crop grown is Paddy or Rice. Other crops grown are pulses like Wal, Chavali, Urid,

Sunflower, Vari, etc. Various fruits and vegetables are grown in this area. Vasai is famous

for varieties of banana such as rajeli, tambeli, mutheli and velchi. Dried banana is the

speciality of Vasai. Other fruits grown are mangoes, papayas, guavas, watermelon, coconuts

etc. Wild fruits like bor, wild berries lychees are grown in forest area of the Taluka.

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Vegetables like onions, tomatoes, spinach, fenugreek, coriander leaves, cabbage, groud etc.

are grown. Flowers like mogra, juhi, kagda, roses etc. are grown in this area.

Table 3.7

The total agricultural area of Vasai

(in hectares)

Particulars 2001 census

Total cropped area 73300

Cropping paddy 12200

Pulses 3000

Vegetable/fruits 13000

Forest land 21800

Follow land 2200

Cultivable area 18300

Well irrigated area 55hec

Wells 9000

Source: www.thane.com

Table 3.7 gives details about land under cultivation. According to 2001 census the

total cropped area was 73,300 hec. of which 12,200 hec. was paddy cropping land, 3,000 hec.

was used for pulses production, 13,000 hec. was for vegetables and fruits production. The

area under forest cover was 21,800 hec., 2,200 hec. was follow land, 18,300 hec. was

cultivable area and 55 hec. land was well irrigated area and there were 9,000 total wells.

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3.5.2 Industries:

There are many factories coming up in eastern part of Vasai. Many multinationals have

started their business in different parts of Vasai. „Valiv‟ is industrially developed area along

with small industrial pockets near Virar, Vasai and Nallasopara. The major industries in the

area are chemicals, electronics, pharmaceutical, plastic, printing press, spare parts, salt pans,

artificial fibres, textiles, paints, edible items etc. There are many small scale as well as large

scale industries in Taluka. Apart from this many small entrepreneurs and especially women

entrepreneurs are emerging in interior parts of Vasai.

3.5.3 Marine activities:

Vasai Taluka has big coastal region on its west, Vaitarna river is on the north and on

south is Vasai creek. Fishery is one of the major economic activity of the people located at

coastal region of Taluka. There are many salt pans in this area. Counch shells are also

obtained in the sea.

3.5.4 Mineral resources:

Various minerals are found in Vasai Taluka. Bauxite deposits are found in the Tungar

hills. Sand is found in bed of Ulhas creek used for construction. There is Black rock called

Basalt in Vasai. There are mineral oil fields located in the sea.

3.5.5 Trade:

Vasai was well known trading centre since Portugal period. The town of Sopara was

the centre of the Indian ocean trade. Trade was conducted from this port to Srilanka and also

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to the Arab land. But this harbour has been silted up and trade shifted to Vasai. The trade

included horses, fish, salt, timber, and quarried basalt and granite. In pre-independence

period Vasai was known for its bettle leaves i.e. „Pan‟ exports to Pakistan. This export

activity came to end in post independence period. The place has further prospered in other

agri produce exchange like bananas and flowers. With industrialisation various businesses

developed in Taluka. Today trade in Vasai comprises of agricultural as well as industrial

products catering local, regional, state, national and international markets too.

3.5.6 Transport:

The National Highways passing through the Taluka are Mumbai-Pune-Bangalore;

Mumbai-Agra; and Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi. Several important state highways also pass

through the Taluka. Around 65% of the total inhabited villages covering 77% of the rural

population have access to transport services.

The first electric locomotives of Bombay Baroda and Central Indian Railway started

operating on two tracks between Borivali and Virar stations in 1936. There are four railway

stations on the Mumbai Suburban Railway viz. Naigaon, Vasai Road, Nallasopara and Virar.

There are two small sea ports in Taluka one at Arnala in the north and the other at Vasai in the

south.

3.5.7 Banking facilities:

There are various Nationalised, Cooperative, Scheduled and Non-Scheduled banks in

Vasai Taluka providing financial facilities to the people.

There are 13 postal and telegraph offices per 100,000 population.

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3.6 Civic administration:

The present administration process of Vasai Taluka is looked after by Municipal

Corporation and the Gram panchayats. There is on going fight among the villagers and the

system. The Vasai-Virar Municipap Corporation (VVMC) was formed on 3 July 2009 by

amalgamating four Municipal Councils: Vasai, Nallasopara, Navghar-Manikpur and Virar

along with another 53 adjoining village panchayats. The VVMC comprised 89 wards at the

time of formation in 2009.

Although, 53 village panchayats were merged to form the Vasai-Virar Municipal

Corporation, 49 village panchayats opposed it. Later, following protests, the Maharashtra

state government agreed to exclude 35 village panchayats from the VVMC, and on 21st April

2011, after further protests, 29 village panchayats were excluded by the government. But

simultaneously, it also decided to add two more village panchayats, to the VVMC.

3.7 Educational status:

Average literacy rate of Vasai Virar city is remarkable. It was 91.15 percent recorded in

2011 census, of which male and female literacy was 94.86% and 86.90% respectively. This

high rate of education is due to number of educational institutions in the Taluka. Table 3.8

shows details of educational institutions in Vasai. There were 213 Zilla parishad schools

along with 80 private schools. There are two ashram schools and three part time schools. It

had 37 junior colleges, six degree colleges, four D.Ed. colleges, two B. Ed. Colleges, two ITI

colleges, one Art College and three Engineering colleges. The contribution of Christian

missionaries in educational development in early period of this region was significant.

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Table 3.8

Educational institutions in Vasai Taluka

Sr. no. Type of institution Frequency

1 Primary schools (Z.P.) 314

2 Private schools 80

3 Ashram schools 02

4 Part time schools 03

5 Junior colleges 37

6 Degree colleges 06

7 D.Ed colleges 04

8 B.Ed colleges 02

9 ITI colleges 02

10 Art college 01

11 Engineering colleges 03

Source: Panchyat Samiti Vasai (BDO office- 2011)

3.8 Medical facilities:

The Taluka has a network of government-run health facilities consisting of the district

hospital, with rural hospitals and primary health centres, sub-centres and dispensaries

providing basic healthcare to the rural population. Around 16% of the villages had these

primary health facilities covering 35% of the rural population. It had 1.18 beds per 1,000

persons in urban medical institutions. There was one government blood bank. Along with

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these there were large numbers of private hospitals and dispensaries providing medical

facilities to people.

Table 3.9

Hospitals in Vasai Taluka

Sr. no. Types Frequency

1 Zilla parishad hospital 01

2 Primary health centres 08

3 Sub centres 38

4 Blood bank 01

Source: Panchayat Samiti Vasai (BDO office-2011)

3. 9 Social development indicators:

Human Development Index (HDI) is an important indicator of development of the

country. Social indicators in this index play an important role. Table 3.10 shows social

indicators of Vasai Taluka based on 2001 census. It revealed that the population under BPL

was 19 percent, the infant mortality rate was 11%, maternal mortality rate was 0.3 percent,

birth rate was 17.3 percent and death rate was 3.4 percent. The indicator status of Taluka at

general level was considerably better.

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Table 3.10

Social indicators

Social indicators 2001

Below poverty line 19%

Infant mortality rate (IMR) 11

Maternal mortality rate 0.3

Birth rate 17.3

Death rate 3.4

Source: www.vasaivirar.com

3.10 Conclusion:

Vasai Taluka is enriched with beauty of nature and culture. On its east are beautiful

green mountains with waterfall and in west is Arabic sea. Historical sites, landscapes, the

greenery and pleasant climate is an add on advantage of the vicinity. There is continuous

growth in population. The cities are growing rapidly. The rise in population was due to large

numbers of migrants from nearby urban area. Where urban areas showed rising trends while

the growth trend of rural areas has declined. The population of Vasai Taluka is divided into

several castes and ethnic communities. They stay together in peace and harmony. Vasai

comprises of agricultural as well as industrial sector along with progressive service sector.

There has been tremendous development visible in Vasai. It is recognised as wealthy

agricultural region and industrially developed area. The standard of living of villages was

found to be comparatively better. High employment status, less number of people under

82

poverty line, remarkable literacy rate, higher participation in economic activities and social

indicators show progress and prosperity of Vasai Taluka.

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Figure 3.2 Map of Vasai Taluka

84

Figure 3.3 Map of Thane District