Vapi ST Depot Reconstructed at Original Site After Five Decades to Serve as Modern Transit Hub for South Gujarat Commuters
The urban landscape of Vapi is set for a major transformation as the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has officially begun the reconstruction of the Vapi ST Depot at its original historic location. Situated opposite the Old Railway Crossing (Juna Phatak), this depot has been a vital lifeline for the region for over 50 years. Due to the ongoing construction of the Vapi overbridge, the depot operations had been temporarily shifted to a control point at Baliha Highway. However, after an extensive search for alternative government land along the highway proved unsuccessful, the administration decided to rebuild a state-of-the-art facility at the existing 50-year-old site. This decision marks a significant commitment to maintaining the city’s central transit point while upgrading it to meet modern standards of public transportation and passenger comfort.
The decision to stay at the current location comes after the GSRTC explored various avenues to relocate the hub to a more highway-accessible area. Despite several attempts, the lack of suitable government-owned land near the main highway forced the authorities to revert to the original site. The project, which is now underway, involves a total investment of approximately 3.50 crore rupees. This budget was approved following persistent representations made to the Finance Minister of Gujarat, Kanubhai Desai. The new construction aims to replace the previous structure, which had become severely dilapidated over the last decade. Frequent reports of falling plaster from the ceilings and cracked walls had raised serious safety concerns for the thousands of passengers and staff members who utilize the facility daily.
The Vapi ST Depot is one of the busiest and most profitable hubs in the South Gujarat region. On a daily basis, the depot manages approximately 350 bus trips, consisting of 200 local routes connecting interior villages and 150 express routes linking Vapi to major cities across the state. This high volume of traffic generates a significant daily revenue of approximately 6 lakh rupees for the corporation. Given its strategic location at the confluence of Vapi, Daman, and Silvassa, the depot serves as a primary transit point for industrial workers, students, and tourists. The reconstruction is expected to include modern amenities such as improved seating areas, sanitized washrooms, digital inquiry booths, and better lighting, significantly enhancing the overall commuting experience for the public.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new construction, commuters face a period of transition. Currently, a temporary control point is operational at the Baliha Highway to manage bus schedules while the overbridge work continues. Local discussions suggest that the overbridge project is moving at a slower pace than anticipated, and it may take up to two years for the bridge to be fully functional. This timeline poses a challenge, as the full utility of the newly built ST depot will only be realized once the bridge is open to traffic, allowing for smooth entry and exit of buses. Consequently, there is a growing demand from various local organizations and citizen groups for the administration to expedite the overbridge work in tandem with the depot construction to minimize the waiting period for residents.
The rebuilding of the Vapi ST Depot at its 50-year-old site is a blend of heritage preservation and modern infrastructure development. While the temporary shift to the highway was a logistical necessity, the return to the “Juna Phatak” location ensures that the depot remains easily accessible to the heart of the city’s residential and commercial areas. As the construction progresses over the next few months, the focus remains on ensuring high-quality building standards to prevent a repeat of the structural issues faced by the old building. For the people of Vapi, the new depot represents more than just a bus station; it is a symbol of the city’s growth and its enduring connection to the rest of Gujarat and the neighboring union territories.
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