Vashi
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{{Cleanup|date=June 2007}}
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{{for|the political cartoonist|Victor Vashi}}
{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
|type = suburb
||metro = Mumbai
|state_name = Maharashtra
|native_name = Vashi
|latd=19.08 |longd=73.01
|altitude =
|district = Navi Mumbai
|assembly_const = Vashi
|postal_code = 400 703
|population_total = 400,000
}}
'''Vashi''' is a [[township]] in the [[city]] of [[Navi Mumbai]] and is popularly called the ''''king'''' of Navi Mumbai. It is one of the first "nodes" developed by [[City and Industrial Development Corporation|CIDCO]] in the city.
==Physical characteristics==
===Populace===
Vashi's reputation for being organized and self-sufficient, but not too large or crowded like "the big city", has led to the continued growth of its resident and commuter population. Vashi is among the top ten most developed zones in the Mumbai Metropolitan area.The estimate population of Vashi is around 400,000. Vashi is the second most populated node of Navi Mumbai after [[Nerul]]
===Geography===
[[Image:Vashi square.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Shivaji]] Chowk]]
Vashi is bordered by the [[Sion-Panvel Highway]] (plus the railway station) and [[Nerul]] to the south, the [[Thane-Belapur Road]] and [[Sanpada]]/[[Turbhe]] to the east, Khairane Channel and [[Koparkhairane]] to the north, and Thane creek to the west. It is one of two Navi Mumbai nodes that directly connect to Mumbai across [[Thane creek]] (via the [[Mankhurd-Vashi Bridge]]), the other being [[Airoli]] to the north. The township center, arguably, would be [[Shivaji Chowk (Vashi)|Shivaji Chowk]], a central square located on the Vashi-[[Turbhe]] road. It is the site of a large [[bronze]] [[statue]] of the Maratha warrior-king and folk hero [[Chhatrapati Shivaji]] on a horse, and of an upcoming [[museum]] exhibit about him. The chowk is surrounded by Sector 17, the cineplex, the [[fire station]] and the bus depot.
===Climate===
Being in close proximity to the Thane creek, Vashi is mostly humid and swelteringly hot in summer and mildly pleasant during the winter months of November December, and January. Western Ghats run in parallel along the east of the town, resulting in relative heavier shower than Mumbai.
===Layout===
Unlike most other towns in the [[country]], and in contrast to its older and larger neighbor [[Mumbai]], Vashi was planned before being constructed, as was the city of Navi Mumbai itself.
Like the rest of Navi Mumbai, Vashi is broken down into what are known as "Sectors", which are further divided into plots. As such, the address system is organized, and the township easy to navigate when compared to neighbouring Mumbai.
==Economy==
[[Image:Vashi sector17.jpg|250px|thumb|Sector 17]]
Vashi is one of the oldest and most populated nodes in Navi Mumbai. Many companies from Mumbai and other parts of India have set up shop there. Sector 17, in turn, is the commercial heart of Vashi, hosting a dense concentration of [[small business]]es, offices, [[clinic]]s, [[bank]]s, [[retail]] outlets, [[restaurant]]s and [[Franchising|franchise]] operations. Sectors 9 and 10 are also heavy with commercial activity, especially retail. A large [[APMC]] market, the biggest in Navi Mumbai for wholesale [[agricultural]] produce, is located in Sector 19 and part of Sector 18.[http://www.navimumbai.com/apmc.asp]
==Infrastructure==
===Power===
[[Image:Vashi sector17 alt.jpg|250px|thumb|Sector 17]]
Vashi used to have near continuous power supply. As of late 2005, however, one to two hours a day of prescheduled load shedding has been enforced by [[Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation|MSEDC]], cycling among various areas of the city, in order to cope with the rising population and power consumption.But Vashi being a major revenue gainer and for its almost zero pending bills and low distribution losses is shortly due to get rewarded with 24 hours uninterrupted supply for which MSEDC will procure electricity from private electricity generators in the area. Also [[Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation|NMMC]] is looking at generating electricity using non-conventional methods of generating electricity like wind energy as Navi Mumbai is blessed with a long coastline and generating energy from waste which is collected throughout the node. Load shedding was stopped in 2008 when tata power started suppling power in Navi Mumbai. As a result the Vashi and Nerul circles of Navi Mumbai now have zero load shedding.
===Water===
The water supply is near constant, and occasional shutdowns are often short enough to be borne through by the overhead water tanks in many apartments and the central water tower system.
===Roads===
Being a planned township, Vashi features [[road]]s that intersect at right angles. Road maintenance is carried out by the NMMC. Roads in the township are generally of good quality, but often get damaged by the [[monsoons]], as potholes are simply patched up.
===Telecom===
[[Broadband]] is available in Vashi, from You telecom, Tata Indicom and the [[MTNL]] [[telecommunications]] company has offices in Sector 16-A.
===Transport===
[[Autorickshaw]]s provide the primary means of personal local transportation. Travelling to other nodes by autorickshaw usually entails the payment of one-and-a-half times the regular meter fare, or some other negotiated fare.
[[Image:Vashi Railway Station IT Park.jpg|250px|thumb|Vashi Railway Station and IT Park]]
''[[Yellowtop]]'' [[taxicab]]s operating from designated taxi stands provide the means to travel further to destinations such as Mumbai and Thane; a bridge toll may be charged in addition, where applicable. Luxury and standard long-distance bus services often stop at Vashi en route to other cities and towns across the country.
The orange [[NMMT]] public [[bus]]es , Red and Cream BEST (BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport) which are numbered 500 to 599 (connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai) and ST public buses serve as a much cheaper means of transportation. Buses starting from or passing through Vashi's own bus depot allow passengers direct and fast passage to destinations across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Some Mumbai-Vashi routes, however, drop in frequency or stop altogether at night.
The route numbers for some important bus destinations that can be reached from Vashi:
* 1, 4, 8, 11 - [[Thane]]
* 30, 31 - [[Uran]]
* 50, 59 - [[Panvel]]
* 51 - [[Kalamboli]]
* 100 - [[Mahape]] [[Mulund]]
* 501 - [[Kurla]]
* 505 - [[Sion, India|Sion]], [[Bandra]]
* 504, 506 - [[Sion, India|Sion]],[[Matunga]], Dadar TT,
* 507- Nerul-APMC-Vashi-Mankhurd-Govandi-Ghatkopar-Kamani-AirIndia Colony- Vakola-Santacruz(E)Rly Stn.
* 521 - [[Sion, India|Sion]],[[Matunga]], Dadar TT, Dadar West (Plaza Theater), Shivaji Park, Prabhadevi, Worli, Haji Ali, A/C Market, End At Tardeo.
* 511 - Ghatkoper, [[Mulund]]
* 512, 513 - Airoli, [[Mulund]]
* 523, 524 - Powai, Borivali
* 524 (Express) - Powai, [[Kandivili]], [[Borivili]]
* 533 - [[Andheri]], [[Oshiwara]]
Vashi is connected to Mumbai by rail on the [[Harbour line]] of the [[Central Railway (India)|Central Railway]], part of the [[Mumbai suburban railway]]. Travelling to destinations in Mumbai by rail often involves taking a [[train]] to the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus]] first. Another rail link connects Vashi to [[Thane]](see Transport in [[Thane]]).
[[Vashi Railway station]]
==Resident life==
Vashi has a reputation for being a good place to live, while maintaining access to the city across the creek. Despite its proximity to Mumbai proper, it is self-sufficient in many regards, and has its own thriving atmosphere for residents, shoppers and fun-seekers.
===Housing===
Vashi has grown to become the commercial heart of Navi Mumbai. In recent years, [[real estate]] prices in Vashi have risen, due in part to the creation of new businesses, and due to more businesses moving or expanding into Vashi from Mumbai. Residents almost always live in [[co-operative housing society|co-operative housing societies]] (abbreviated to CHS). Sector-17 Vashi is the most expensive locality. These housing colonies often contain a number of multi-storeyed [[apartment]] building wings, internal or external [[parking]] space, gardens or flower patches, and a surrounding wall with one or more gates. CHS residents form committees to collect and spend funds for common maintenance, social activities, and hiring of [[security guard]] services. Some sectors are endowed with public parks as well.
===Shopping===
[[Image:Vashi Raghuleela.jpg|250px|thumb|Raghuleela Mall near Vashi Railway Station]]
Each sector has its own cluster of shops called "mini-markets" that sell basic items such as rice, pulses, candy. Some bigger sectors have bigger "mini-markets" that sell everything from garments to hair-cuts. Sector-17 is one of the large sectors of Vashi and is located near the highway which happens to be the entrance to Vashi. It's very close to Vashi Railway Station. Sector 9 is home to Sacred Heart [[Roman Catholic]] Church. Sectors 6, 7 and 8 in Vashi are home to Row Houses while Sector 8 also has bungalows.Sector 8 is located close to the place from where hovercrafts would land and take off.
As of the end of February 2008, there are four Shopping malls functioning in Vashi, called [[Center One]], [[City Center]], [[Raghuleela]] and [[Palm Beach Galleria]]. They host a variety of large and small retailers, including [[Pantaloons (India)|Pantaloons]], [[Big Bazaar]] and [[MAX]], as well as a number of [[fast food]] joints and franchises.
Shopping in or strolling around Sector 17 is a popular activity for residents and visitors. The area is packed with retail outlets selling everything from furniture and fixtures to clothing and electronics. It hosts many restaurants and [[Bar (establishment)|bar]]s, [[mithai]] shops, fast food franchises like [[McDonald's]], [[Domino's]], [[Garcia's pizza]], etc popular vegetarian restaurants like [[Navratna (Vashi)|Navratna]],Golden Punjab, as well as franchises of [[Monginis]], [[Birdy's]], [[Corrosiants]], [[Cafe Coffee Day]] and the like. Sectors 9 and 10 along the main road are also major commercial and retail areas.8118
===Educational institutions===
There are many [[school]]s and [[high school]]s in Vashi. Few of the well known schools are St. Lawrence High School, St. Marys High School,Father Agnel Multipurpose School and Sacred Heart High School . There are also a few international schools like Ryan International that offer [[ICSE]] board education.
Vashi also hosts a number of [[college]]s. [[Father Agnel College| Father Agnel College (formally, Father Conceicao Rodrigues Institute of Technology ]] and [[Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College]] (formerly known as Modern College) are among the well known colleges in the node.
Various training and coaching institutes have centers in Vashi. These include [[NIIT]], [[Aptech]] and [[SSI (IT education)|SSI]] for [[infotech]] training, with [[Career Launcher]] and [[Unitech]] coaching in competitive [[exam]] preparation. Recently, [http://www.theifm.org/ The Institute for Financial Markets (IFM), ] a nonprofit foundation has also opened at the new [http://www.bsel.com/index.htm BSEL tech park ]opposite Vashi Railway station.
The [[Mumbai Divisional SSC Board]], one of the divisional boards of the [[Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Education]] is headquartered in Vashi in Sector 16-A.
[[Avalon Heights International School]], the first school of its kind to be affiliated to the [[University of Cambridge]] International Examinations, also offers the [[ICSE]] syllabus.
===Entertainment===
The VishnuDas Bhave Auditorium is one of the most famous landmarks which hosts a number of plays which is liked by almost every Navi Mumbaikar. The Meghraj/Meghdoot cinema halls were the only large [[movie theater]] complexes in the node, until 2007 when [[Adlabs Cinemas]] opened a 4-screen Multiplex in the new Palm Beach Galleria mall. [[Cinemax]] has also opened a 3-screen Multiplex, which has ultra modern facilities such as recliner seats in City Center in a few months after Adlabs. Modern cineplexes are due to open as part of the aforementioned Inorbit Mall and Raghuleela mall. [[PVR Cinemas]] is planning to open one in Inorbit Mall and [[Fame]] to open up in Raghuleela mall. Clubs at the [[Marine Centre (Vashi)|Marine Centre]], Abbot Hotel, Vashi [[Gymkhana]] etc. host dances and shows.
* NMSA - Navi Mumbai Sports Association is a CIDCO owned enterprise providing various Sports Facilities like Tennis, Carrom, Badminton, Chess, Swimming, Squash. Membership is offered in categories like Patron, Life, General and Student Membership.
* RCNB - Rotaract Club of New Bombay is an active Youth Club in New Bombay. It is a youth wing of Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai. Individuals between age 18-30 can be a part of this organisation. Rotaractors generally meet every Sunday at Rotary Center, Sector-6, Vashi.
===Law and order===
{{main|Navi Mumbai#Law and Order}}
Vashi has its own [[police]] station in Sector 3, but shuts down for the most part by 10 p.m.
===Other===
Vashi has a number of health and fitness clubs such as [[Talwalkars]] and the newly opened [[Gold's Gym]] in Raghuleela mall. Many clinics and [[hospital]]s take care of the residents' healthcare needs, such as [[Lakshdeep Hospital (Vashi)|Lakshdeep Hospital]], [[NMMC Hospital]] and [[MGM Hospital (Vashi)|MGM Hospital]]. Places of worship for Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Christians are located around the township, as are cultural centers of the various ethnicities of immigrants from other parts of India.
==Important landmarks==
===Mini Seashore===
A strip of land in Vashi along the coast of Thane [[stream|creek]] has been developed as a park and is popularly known as the "Mini Seashore" or "Seaside Park". The park is separated from the creek by a large holding pond, which is surrounded by a path that is used as a walking/[[jogging]] track. Residents of Vashi and nearby nodes frequent this area for recreation, relaxation and [[exercise]]. Hundreds walk or run along the track and over the [[Embankment dam|embankment]] of the holding pond everyday. Local [[laughter clubs]] and [[tennis]] enthusiasts can be seen utilizing the park in the mornings. [[Paddle boats]] are rented out for use within the outer pond. Children's rides, [[horseback riding]] and vendors of [[chaat]] or other refreshments are a common sight along the Mini Seashore in the evenings, which is when families tend to visit and the overall footfall is at its peak. very good place to visit
Vashi.
===Vashi Railway Station / International Infotech Park===
The large and spacious Vashi Railway Station was built into and under the International Infotech Park, to [[ISO 9002]] quality standards.[http://www.nmmconline.com/english/aboutUs/zoningShow.php]
Constructed over the Vashi [[railway]] station, seven broad white towers form the [[International Infotech Park (Vashi)|International Infotech Park]] (IIP), a massive office complex developed by CIDCO for the purpose of supporting the [[information technology]] industry in Vashi. IIP features over {{convert|600000|sqft|m2|-4}} of built-up space, and was inaugurated on the 14th of June, 1998. [[Iris Business Services]] , [[Cyquator]], [[3i Infotech]], [[Tracmail]], [[Satyam Infoway|Satyam]], [[Patni Computer Systems|Patni]] and [[Sify]] are among the companies who have set up offices there.[http://www.navimumbai.com/iicpark.asp][http://www.cidcoindia.com/IIPVashiLeaflet.pdf].
Well known landmarks in Sector 17 include Big Splash and Vashi Plaza.
==External links==
* http://www.meghrajmultiplex.com
*[http://www.cidcoindia.com/railmanbel.htm Mankhurd - Belapur Railway project]
*[http://anushaktinagar.googlepages.com/busandtraintimings Harbour Railway Train Timetable]
{{Mumbai_-_Suburban_Railway,Central_-_Harbour|Vashi|Central|Mankhurd|Sanpada|16|28.91|4}}
{{Template group
|list =
{{Nodes of Navi Mumbai}}
{{Mumbai metropolitan area}}
{{Navi Mumbai}}
}}
[[Category:Navi Mumbai]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Maharashtra]]
[[fr:Vashi]]