Pandabeswar (community development block)

Pandabeswar
Community development block
Pandabeswar

Location in West Bengal

Coordinates: 23°43′00″N 87°17′00″E / 23.71667°N 87.28333°E / 23.71667; 87.28333
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Bardhaman
Parliamentary constituency Asansol
Assembly constituency Pandaveswar
Area
  Total 37.80 sq mi (97.89 km2)
Elevation 220 ft (67 m)
Population (2001)
  Total 146,445
  Density 3,870/sq mi (1,496/km2)
Time zone IST (UTC+5.30)
Literacy Rate 63.73 per cent
Website http://bardhaman.gov.in/

Pandabeswar (community development block) (also spelt Pandaveswar) (Bengali: পাণ্ডবেশ্বর সমষ্টি উন্নয়ন ব্লক) is an administrative division in Durgapur subdivision of Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Andal and Pandabeswar police stations serve this block. The headquarters of this block is at Pandabeswar. Kendra Khottamdi, Ramnagar, Dalurband, Bilpahari, Nabgram, Sankarpur, Haripur, Konardihi, Bahula and Chhora are urban areas in this block. The census towns Chak Bankola and Parashkol are both partly in Andal block and partly in Pandabeswar block.[1][2]

History

During World War II there was an American airbase at Pandabeswar.[3] The airbase still exists, people visit the place for its historical value and to enjoy prenocturnal walks.

Geography

Pandabeswar is located at 23°43′N 87°17′E / 23.72°N 87.28°E / 23.72; 87.28.

Pandabeswar community development block has an area of 97.89  km2.[2]

The Asansol-Durgapur region is composed of undulating laterite soil. This area lies between two mighty rivers – the Damodar and the Ajay. They flow almost parallel to each other in the region – the average distance between the two rivers is around 30 km. For ages the area was heavily forested and infested with plunderers and marauders. The discovery of coal led to industrialisation of the area and most of the forests have been cleared.[4]

Gram panchayats

Gram panchayats of Pandabeswar block/panchayat samiti are: Bahula, Baidyanathpur, Chhora, Haripur, Kendra and Nabagram.[5]

Demographics

As per 2001 census, Pandabeswar block had a total population of 146,445, out of which 79,992 were males and 66,453 were females. Pandabeswar block registered a population growth of 9.37 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Bardhaman district was 14.36 per cent.[2] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.[6]

Scheduled castes at 55,511 formed around one-third the population. Scheduled tribes numbered 14,508.[7]

Economy

Pandabeswar is a coal mining area.[8] One of the area headquarters of Eastern Coalfields Limited., a subsidiary of Coal India Limited is located here.[9]

Transport

Pandabeswar is 20 km from Andal on the Andal-Sainthia branch line of Eastern Railway.[10]

There is an all-weather rail bridge and road bridge built on the National Highway 60 across the river Ajay at Pandabeswar. It connects to the neighboring District of Birbhum.

The Nearest airport is located at 20 km at Andal near the Steel city of Durgapur on National Highway 02 by the name of Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport. It was commissioned in the year 2015 and operates connecting flights to the National Capital Delhi and State capital Kolkata.

Literacy

As per 2001 census, Pandabeswar block had a total literacy of 63.73 per cent for the 6+ age group. While male literacy was 73.56 per cent female literacy was 51.65 per cent. Bardhaman district had a total literacy of 70.18 per cent, male literacy being 78.63 per cent and female literacy being 60.95 per cent.[11]

References

  1. "Contact details of Block Development Officers". Burdwan district. West Bengal Government. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  2. 1 2 3 "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Barddhaman District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  3. War Birds of India
  4. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, pp 14-15, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
  5. "No. 229 (Sanction)-PN/P/II/1G-5/2005(Pt.II) dated 02.02.09". Allotment No. 5 for five districts – Cooch Behar, Burdwan, Uttar Dinajpur, Hooghly and Bankura. Government of West Bengal - Department of Panchayats & Rural Development. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  6. "Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  7. "TRU for all Districts (SC & ST and Total)". Census 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  8. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali) , Vol I, p 48, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
  9. ECL website - see under head Corporate – Geographic location and area
  10. Eastern Railway rime table
  11. "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 5, Bardhaman District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
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