Balurghat

Balurghat
Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 25°13′N 88°46′E / 25.22°N 88.76°E / 25.22; 88.76Coordinates: 25°13′N 88°46′E / 25.22°N 88.76°E / 25.22; 88.76
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Dakshin Dinajpur / South Dinajpur
Government
 • Chairman Rajen Shil (AITC)
 • DM Sharad Kumar Dwivedi
 • MP Arpita Ghosh (AITC)
 • MLA Biswanath Chowdhury Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)
 • SP Prasun Banerjee
Elevation 24 m (79 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 2,10,000
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Languages
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 733101
Telephone code 03522
Vehicle registration WB-61/WB-62
Lok Sabha constituency Balurghat
Vidhan Sabha constituency Balurghat
Website http://wb.gov.in/

Balurghat (pron:ˌbʌlʊəˈgɑ:t) is the headquarters (sadar) of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh border) lies a few kilometres from the city. Balurghat has for long been known for its distinguished taste in culture, especially theatre. It is the birthplace of Natyacharya Manmatha Ray.

Geography

Balurghat is at 25°13′N 88°46′E / 25.22°N 88.77°E / 25.22; 88.77.[1] It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet).

River Atreyee runs across the city, dividing it into disproportionate halves. The heart of the city with all important administrative, cultural and entertainment hubs are on the eastern bank of the river.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Balurghat urban agglomeration had a population of 164,593, out of which 82,466 were males and 82,127 were females. The 0–6 years population was 10,349. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 91.66 per cent.[2]

As of 2001 India census,[3] Balurghat had a population of 135,516. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Balurghat has an average literacy rate of 88.8%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 92.5% of the males and 85.7% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economics

Balurghat is a distribution centre in northern West Bengal. The main goods traded include rice, jute, sugar cane, and oilseeds.[4]

Offices

District level offices of Dakshin Dinajpur district (like District Magistrate office, District police office (sp), CMOH, etc.) are in Balurghat. The postal division West Dinajpur disvision is at Balurghat. FCi headquarters of West Dinajpur is at Balurghat. Sainik Bhawan, All India Radio, Bsnl microwave office, Agricultural research station of three neighbouring districts are in Balurghat. Three Cpwd divisions are in Balurghat. Headquarters of every divisions of pwd of Dakshin Dinajpur are situated at Balurghat. Di (primary), DI (Madhyamik) of schools office, District Mass Education Office (Erst While District Social Education) are in Balurghat. Recently Balurghat got a central jail, RM office of WBSEDCL, and divisional office of fire and emergency department.

Transportation

Balurghat is connected by road to Malda, Siliguri, Kolkata and Raiganj. Balurghat railway station is on the western bank of River Atrayee. Trains connecting Balurghat to Kolkata directly include Gour Express, Tebhaga Express and Balurghat Howrah bi-weekly Express. Train services also connect Balurghat to Siliguri in the north.

Festivals

Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Saraswati Puja, Biswakarma Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi and Saraswati puja are widely celebrated at Balurghat. Bolla Kali Puja is celebrated at Bolla, approximately 15 kilometres from Balurghat, in end-November each year.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Balurghat, India".
  2. ↑ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  4. ↑ Balurghat, from Encyclopædia Britannica.
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