available to support the requirements of the population. This need becomes ever increasing, when a lot of external visitors start coming into this place. Round the clock utilities like ATM, 24 hour pharmacies, on call cab services, etc. are very necessary for aiding non resident population and residing population alike.
Silvassa has grown tremendously in terms of industrialization, creating a huge inflow of business visitors. As of today, more than two lakh migrant workers are residing in Silvassa for their livelihood. Adding to this, the town has a lot of tourists also due to its proximity to major Indian cities and due to its reputation as a famous tourism destination.
Banking Services
Access to a banking account is a priority for the development of any place, be it a major city or a small town or even a village. Silvassa town now has many nationalized and private banking services. The presence of these banks is helping in Silvassa’s community development. Not only in the main town, but all the surrounding villages are also getting benefited. Few co-operative banks are also in operation in many rural areas, catering to the poor villagers and farmers, thus reducing the risk of middle men and ponzi scheme organizations.Corporation Bank, Development Credit Bank, IndusInd Bank, Union Bank, State Bank of India etc. are few renowned nationalized banks operating in Silvassa and providing 24x7 uninterrupted services through their ATMs. Even private players like HDFC Bank and Axis Bank have set up their branches to help the rural and town people with their savings options and different other investment benefits. The banking business has also helped the Union Territory with employment opportunity.
Transport Services
Improved transportation routes in a place stimulate economic growth. Silvassa’s well maintained roads have induced industrial growth over the place. Moreover the local government is helping Silvassa with roads and other infrastructures for tourism boost. The town is connected to Mumbai (around 120kms) by the Western Express Highway (NH 8).Government buses and private AC buses run daily on this route connecting Mumbai, Pune and Daman. There is a proper Government bus stand in Silvassa. Direct buses also run from nearby towns Bhilad and Vapi. Different Cab services are available from Mumbai and Daman. Local auto rickshaws are present charging around Rs 80 -100/-. The nearest railway station is Vapi (13kms away), from where tourists can find local auto rickshaws to Silvassa. The nearest connecting airport is the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai.
Healthcare Services
Since a long period of time, the healthcare scenario of Silvassa was much neglected. Only existent government medical facility for a long period of time was the Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital (V.B.C.H.), earlier known as Cottage Hospital. In 2013, V.B.C.H got renovated with better medical facilities and modern operation theatres.The government of India’s “Sanjeevani Swasthya Bima Yojana” has also been made available to benefit BPL families, whose annual income is Rs.1 Lakh or lesser. Silvassa recently has got over 50 registered hospitals and clinics, helping the locals with Allopathic, Homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatments. Due to proximity with Mumbai and Gujarat, Silvassa also has land and air ambulance facilities in times of emergency.
There are many good blood banks like Cross World Blood Bank and pathology centres like Green Cross Pathology in Silvassa.
Fire Services
Silvassa is under the Department of Fire and Emergency Services of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. They only take care of all the paper works for fire related emergencies. But to cope with the actual emergency, two fire stations are being built in Silvassa, with two-three well equipped fire brigades standing.Municipal Services
Silvassa Municipal Council is an autonomous body established in February 2006, to provide the town people with better standards of living. The council functions with the following objectives:- helping in general sanitation
- providing the supply of safe drinking water
- implementing poverty eradication programme for all the villages in and around Silvassa
- maintaining good public toilets
- maintaining daily garbage disposal
Postal Service
Silvassa has a sub post office, which is under the administration of the Post Office of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Letter dispatch and other important postal services are offered over here. The post boxes get cleared every alternate day.Telephone and Internet Service
BSNL Telephone Exchange has its main office in Silvassa, from where they are connecting the whole union territory. Apart from phone connection, Silvassa town also has the internet connectivity service by BSNL and easy availability of Tata Teleservices like the Photon Plus.Shopping Arcades and Eateries
Although a tourist paradise, Silvassa is not a typical shopping destination. Kilvani Road is the main shopping area with many small and big shops lined on both sides of the street, selling Warli art works, beautiful smoking wooden pipes, bamboo handicrafts and palm leaf handmade mats. Empress Mall, Manpasand Super Store, Kanchan Jewellers etc. are few well known shops.These shopping areas have many small eateries. Other than that, Silvassa has few multi-cuisine restaurants namely, Valentino Restaurant, Khichdi Kathiyawadi Restaurant and Bistro.
Hotels Services
Since a popular tourist destination, Silvassa has many good budget hotels and resorts. Few of the popular resorts are, Hill View Resort, Lords Resort, Treat Resort, Ras Resort etc., who offer well furnished AC rooms with all other luxury amenities like swimming pool, recreational game zone and health clubs. These resorts also have some good multi cuisine restaurants and lounges.Many budget hotels are also available in and around Silvassa. Few well known hotels are Madhuban Hotel, Van Vihar Hotel, Pioneer Hotel, Woodlands Residency etc.
