Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a Union Territory of India, formed on 26 January 2020 by merging the former Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli with Daman and Diu. The Union Territory is known for its scenic beaches, Portuguese colonial architecture, lush forests, wildlife sanctuaries, tribal culture, and peaceful atmosphere.

It consists of four geographically separated regions:

1. Daman
2. Diu
3. Dadra
4. Nagar Haveli (headquartered at Silvassa)

The territory is popular for heritage sites, beach tourism, eco-tourism, water sports, and nature parks.

History

1. The regions were originally ruled by local dynasties before coming under Portuguese rule during the 16th century.
2. Daman was occupied by the Portuguese in 1559, while Diu became an important Portuguese naval base after 1535.
3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli remained under Portuguese administration until 1954, when they were liberated by local freedom fighters.
4. Daman and Diu were liberated during Operation Vijay in December 1961, when Goa, Daman, and Diu became part of India.
5. Dadra and Nagar Haveli became a Union Territory in 1961, while Daman and Diu became a separate Union Territory in 1987 after Goa attained statehood.
6. On 26 January 2020, both Union Territories were officially merged to improve administrative efficiency.

Geography

The Union Territory is divided into two distinct regions:

1. Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies inland between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
2. Daman and Diu are located along the Arabian Sea, with Daman on the mainland coast and Diu as an island connected by bridges.

The total area is approximately 603 sq km.

How to Reach

By Air

Major airports include:

1. Diu Airport
2. Daman Airport (limited regional operations)

The nearest major international airports are:

1. Surat International Airport (for Daman)
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (for Silvassa and Daman)
3. Rajkot International Airport (for Diu)

By Rail

There are no major railway stations within the Union Territory.

Nearest railway stations include:

1. Vapi Railway Station (about 12 km from Daman and around 18 km from Silvassa)
2. Delvada Railway Station (for Diu)
3. Veraval Junction (for Diu)

These stations provide direct rail connectivity to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur, Surat, Vadodara, and other major cities.

By Road

The Union Territory is well connected by road through National Highways and state highways.

Approximate road distances:

1. Mumbai → Daman: 170 km
2. Surat → Daman: 110 km
3. Ahmedabad → Daman: 370 km
4. Rajkot → Diu: 230 km
5. Ahmedabad → Diu: 370 km

Regular government and private buses, taxis, and self-drive vehicles operate from Gujarat and Maharashtra.