Vasai is one of the fastest developing suburban areas located in Palghar district. Historically known as Bassein or Bacaim, the area is part of the Vasai-Virar city. The locality has a rich historical background. The area came into prominence when the ancient harbor of Sopara became unfit for use. The locality is situated 50 kilometers north of Mumbai. The area has tourist spots like a fort, churches, beaches and temples. The locality is primarily a residential market and offers reasonably priced homes.
Accessibility:
The micro market is surrounded by important localities like Nala Sopara, Navghar, Bhayandar West and Virar. The airport is 45 km away from this area and can be accessed in an hour. The locality is well connected by road and rail. NH 8 (National Highway 8) which connects Mumbai with Delhi passes through this locality. The locality has a railway station which is a part of the western line and is hence well connected to Mumbai. Thane is also well connected to the locality. The area is also served by buses, taxis and auto rickshaws.
Education:
The locality has good schools and colleges. Vidya Viksini School, Carmelite English Convent High School and St. Augustine’s High School are present here. The famous Viva College is located here. Some of the other colleges in the area are the Asian Institute of Health Sciences, Annasaheb Vartak College of Arts, St.Gonsalo Garcia College and Pushpanjali College of Education.
Hospitality:
The locality has resorts, hotels and restaurants. Golden Tulip Vasai, Suvi Palace, Hotel Rudra Shelter and International are some of the hotels located here. West Palm Beach Resort, Sheetal Samudra Mini Goa Resort and SeaKing Beach Resort are some of the resorts located in and around the area. Restaurants such as the Farm House, Kinara Dhaba, Farmhouse Sea N Sand and Suvi Palace are located here.
Retail:
The area has malls, shopping complexes, grocery shops and stationery shops. Malls like Dattani Square Mall and Viva Swastik Mall are present here. Retail outlets of both national and international brands are located here. Raymond’s, Titan and Cantabil International have outlets here.
Entertainment:
The region has multiplexes and theatres like K.T. Vision Multiplex, Carnival Cinemas and Parvati Cinema Hall. The area has beautiful beaches and resorts which serve as weekend getaway destinations.
Healthcare:
The area has hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Some of the hospitals in the locality are Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Kalpana Lifeline Hospital and Golden Park Hospital.
Devotional Places:
Devi Padmavati Temple, Swami Samartha Temple, Tungareshwar Temple, Kala Hanuman Mandir, St Michael’s Church, St. Thomas Church, Our Lady of Grace Papdy, Remedy Church, Ghousiya Masjid, Pir Chunumiya Dargah and Manikpur Masjid are some of the places of worship located here.
Real estate:
The real estate prices are in the affordable range here when compared to other suburbs of Mumbai. Developments related to social and civic infrastructure and connectivity are increasing the demand for the locality. Vasai’s connectivity to the major areas in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane is also one of the factors driving the realty market here. Traffic congestion and parking is a problem in retail areas in this locality. Some of the proposed and upcoming infrastructural projects which are expected to have a big impact on the development of the city and thereby influencing the real estate market are:
- The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has approved the construction of a bridge over the Bhayandar-Vasai Creek to connect Vasai with Mumbai.
- The extension of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link coastal road will include an extension at the northern end to Vasai-Virar and on the southern end to the Eastern Freeway near CST
- An eight-lane multi-modal corridor from Alibaug to Virar is planned
- The proposed bullet train is also expected to have a positive impact on the real estate
- The proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) will have a great impact on the realty market
- The proposed bullet train is also expected to bring a positive impact on the real estate
Image: By Superfast1111 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons