Have you ever heard of this place called “Vapi” in India? If not, then let me tell you all about it based on my own experience when I recently visited this place. Situated near the bank of the Daman Ganga River, the city got its name from the old small stepwell situated near the Balitha area. In Sanskrit, the name “Vapi” means water reservoir or a storage body of water.
This city is located in the state of Gujarat and is known as the “Chemical City of Gujarat”. Why, you may ask? It is because Vapi is one of the largest cities in Gujarat which harbors the most number of small-scale chemical industries.
How to reach?
Hearing me talk about it must make you want to visit the location. So let me tell you different ways by which you can visit Vapi from your location. Basically, there are 3 different routes you can take:
- By Air- If you are travelling domestically then I would recommend landing at Surat International Airport which is located 92 kilometers away. But if you are traveling from abroad then, I would recommend you to land at the Mumbai airport where you can easily get a cab and meanwhile explore the nearby city of Chiplun as well.
- By Train- Vapi has its very own railway station which is very well connected with most of the cities in India. This is how I traveled there from Chandigarh and it turned out to be quite affordable as well. From the railway station, you can easily get a cab or an auto-rickshaw to reach your destination.
- By Road- You can reach this city of chemicals by taking National Highway 8 (NH 8), which is connected to various major cities. This is the route from where most of the trade practices take place.
What to do in Vapi?
Now with all that talk about chemicals, you must be wondering is this place even worth going? Then trust me, because the answer is yes! There are tons of things that you can do to have fun. Here I am going to list some of my personal favorites.
- Mirasol Water Park- Located just an hour away from the city, this water park offers unlimited fun with water and adventure rides. The most exciting thing about Mirasol water park is the rain dance. My friends and I enjoyed it so much that we refused to come out of there.
- Jampore Beach- This beach is also known as Daman Jampore Beach by the locals and is located at a distance of around 10 kilometers away. You must try the boat ride from Moti Daman Jetty. I would recommend going during the early morning hours to avoid crowds at the beach.
- Daman Ganga- Daman Ganga river front is one of the most picturesque spots located in the city. Pack some snacks and an old bedsheet for a picnic and enjoy some sun in the winter season.
Why Vapi is Known as the Hub of Chemical Industries?
Being a science student, the reason we visited this place was to know the ins and outs of chemical industries. You will be surprised to find out what all chemicals and products are made in this small city.
Hair Dyes
Yes! All the pigments in hair dyes are manufactured in Vapi and that too at a very cheap rate. It does not matter what brand of color you use because all of the base pigments are made in Vapi.
Agricultural Chemicals
A significant amount of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides are produced in this city. These chemicals play a crucial role in the modernization and upliftment of the agricultural industry.
High-value chemicals
On a visit to one of the industries, we got to know that some of the famous fragrances and cosmetics from various high-end brands are manufactured in these small-scale industries.
Medicine
The city is famous for producing different types of medicines and raw materials used in Ayurveda. The import and export of these materials help in building the economy.
Declining Air Quality
Being an Industrial city and that too, a chemical industry city, Vapi faces air quality challenges. This city ranks in the top 3 most polluted cities in the country. According to the reports released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this city scored 85.34 making it a critically polluted city.
If you follow the news, you will know that just after the release of these scores. The Gujarat government held a press conference discussing all the methods they were going to implement to bring down pollution levels. But the recent CEPI (Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index) scores say otherwise. According to those scores, there was not even a shred of improvement in the air quality rather the city faced pollutant levels that were way over the permissible limits.
Wrapping Up
My trip to Vapi had been nothing short of adventures and new memories. Although I admit I would have never gone to visit this city if it were not for my college trip. But I am glad I did because it was very educational. The city is full of scenic views and just taking a stroll in the evening refreshes your mind.
Vapi always had a history of being polluted because of its industrial nature which has worsened over time. If you are visiting this place, please carry a mask with you so that you do not face any severe breathing problems. I sincerely urge the authorities to take appropriate measures to tackle these extreme pollutant levels so that Vapi can become a habitable place once again.
