West Godavari district

History

The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra Pradesh from 700 to 1200 CE, with their capital in Vengi. Historical evidence of their rule has been found in the nearby villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471 CE before the conquest by the Gajapati Empire. In 1515 CE, Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was ruled by the Qutb Shahi Dynasty's Sultans of Golkonda. On 15 April 1925, the West Godavari District was formed with Bhimavaram as its headquarters, and all of the district offices and regional offices were centralised in Eluru.

During the Madras Presidency in 1823, the District of Rajahmundry was created. It was reorganised in 1859 and bifurcated into the Godavari and Krishna districts. Kakinada became the headquarters of the Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into the East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925. When the Godavari district was divided, Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari. After the 4 April 2022 bifurcation for a separate Eluru district, Bhimavaram became the new headquarters of the West Godavari district.

Geography

The district occupies an area of 7742 km2. The district is bounded by the East Godavari district on the North, Eluru district on the Northwest, Konaseema district on the Southeast, Krishna district on the Southwest. and Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River flows on the east, while the Tammileru River and Kolleru Lake separate it from the Krishna district on the west.

Rivers and topography

West Godavari is a flat region with a slightly slope along the rivers flowing eastward. The three rivers cutting through the district are the Godavari (after which the district is named), the Yerrakaluva, and the Tammileru. Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Eluru Canal, Vijayarai Anicut, Tammileru, Jalleru, and the Yerrakaluva reservoirs are the major sources of irrigation.

Climate

The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry, while the winters are much cooler. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 40 °C during the day. The rainy season (July–December) is considered the best time for tourist visits, as the fields are bright green with paddy crops, rivers are flowing with monsoon water, and climate is relatively cool. There are several large mensions scattered around the Godavari area that once belonged to zamindars.

Demographics

As of the 2011 Census of India, the West Godavari district has a population of 3,936,966 with 1,091,525 households, which is the 11th most populous district in the state. The district's population is approximately equal to the population of Croatia and the American state of Oklahoma. In Andhra Pradesh, the West Godavari district is the 19th largest in terms of area with an area of 7742 km2 (before bifurcation) and has a population density of 509 PD/sqkm, which is the fourth-most densely populated district in the state. Its population growth rate between 2001–2011 was 3.45%. West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males and stands at the eighth position. It has the highest literacy rate among all Andhra Pradesh districts with 26,52,389 (74.63%) literate residents. 20.6% of the district's population lives in urban areas.

After bifurcation, the district had a population of 1,779,935, with a sex ratio of 1002 females to 1000 males. 468,924 (26.35%) of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 289,195 (16.25%) and 15,670 (0.88%) of the population respectively. Telugu was the predominant language, spoken by 98.67% of the population.

Economy

The gross district domestic product is and it contributes 8.8% to the gross state domestic product. For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was .

Paddy, banana, sugarcane, and coconut are the main agricultural products cultivated in the district. The agriculture sector contributes , industries contribute , and services contribute to the gross district domestic product. The major products contributing to the gross value added of the district from agriculture and allied services are the previously listed agricultural products, as well as milk, meat, and fisheries. The gross value added to the industrial and service sector is contributed from construction, electricity, manufacturing, unorganised trade, and transport.

Cashew nut, mango and tobacco are other important produce from the district. Shrimp production is also a main activity along with fish farming. The woolen pile carpet industry in Eluru produces eco-friendly carpets from exported wool.

Culture

Telugu is the most widely spoken language. The Vedas, which have oral heritage recognition by UNESCO, are taught at the Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala of the district's Bhimavaram village. The district is well known for its wool-pile carpets and hand woven products.

Tourism and landmarks

Eluru is the largest city of the district with many destinations having Buddhists and archeological importance, such as the Guntupalli Caves, one of the top 30 Indian heritage sites, near the city. Eluru hosts a 74-foot high Buddha statue in the heart of the city.

Some of the religious destinations include Dwaraka Tirumala, known by the name of Chinna Tirumala, Veerabhadra Temple, Pattiseema, and Pancharama Kshetras of Palakollu and Bhimavaram. Other tourist destinations of importance are Perupalem Beach at Narasapuram, the Kolleru Lake (the largest fresh water lake in the country and a bird sanctuary), Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, and Havelock Bridge. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen on developing Rajahmundry Airport as an international airport to boost tourism, including helicopter tours over the Godavari districts. The Polavaram Project irrigation system is expected to become another tourist attraction for the district.[[File:Culture & Traditions, Kalavalapalli.jpg|thumb|Culture and traditions at Kalavalapalli village in West Godavari district|223x223px]]

Parliament Segment

Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)

Assembly Segments

Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency presently comprises the following Legislative Assembly segments:

Administrative divisions

The new West Godavari district has three revenue divisions, Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem and Narasapuram . These revenue divisions divide the district into 20 mandals. These 20 mandals consists of 296 Revenue villages, 6 municipalities (Narasapuram, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, and Bhimavaram, Akiveedu.

1. Bhimavaram revenue division
2. Bhimavaram
3. Veeravasaram
4. Palakoderu
5. Kalla
6. Undi
7. Akiveedu
8. Ganapavaram
9. Narasapuram revenue division
10. Narasapuram
11. Penugonda
12. Palakollu
13. Poduru
14. Achanta
15. Yelamanchili
16. Mogalthur
17. Penumantra
18. Tadepalligudem revenue division
19. Tadepalligudem
20. Pentapadu
21. Attili
22. Iragavaram
23. Tanuku

Erstwhile Talukas

Before the formation of mandals, the district was administered through a system of talukas. In 1978, the number of talukas in the West Godavari district increased from 8 to 19. In 1985, the 19 talukas were divided into 46 mandals.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, merged two mandals from Telangana into the West Godavari District for unified governance over the Polavaram Project, increasing the total mandals to 48.

Cities and towns

Constituencies

There is one parliamentary and seven assembly constituencies in the district. The parliamentary constituency is Narsapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)

The Assembly constituencies are:

1. Achanta
2. Bhimavaram
3. Narsapur
4. Palakollu
5. Tadepalligudem
6. Tanuku
7. Undi

Transport

Roadways

The total road length of state highways in the district is 1229 km. The district relies mostly on public transport, such as buses of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Most of the major national highways, like NH216 and NH165, pass through towns in the district.

Railways

The South Central Railway division of Indian Railways operates many passenger routes and freight transport through the district. The Howrah-Chennai main line, Vijayawada–Nidadavolu loop line, and Bhimavaram–Narasapuram branch lines are the major lines and sections that provide rail connectivity in the district. The Kovvur-Bhadrachalam Railway line and Kotipalli-Narsapur Railway line are the major railway projects in the district.

Waterways

National Waterway 4 passes through the district and connects Puducherry with Kakinada and Rajahmundry via Tadepalligudem, Eluru. It has access to the Bay of Bengal at Narsapuram. The Andhra Pradesh state government began construction of a fishing harbor in Narsapuram in September 2021.

Education

The primary and secondary schools are maintained by the government under the state's School Education Department of the state, supplemented by private institutions. According to the school information report for the 2015–16 academic year, there are a total of 4,408 schools. They include 19 government, 2,664 mandal and zilla parishads, 1 residential schools, 1,344 private schools, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), 208 municipal schools, and 169 other types of schools. The total number of students enrolled in primary, upper primary, and high schools within the district was 522,793 during the 2015-16 school year.

Universities

• Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem
• National Institute of Technology, Tadepalligudem (NIT, Tadepalligudem)

Notable people

• Brahmaji, film actor
• Chiranjeevi, film actor, Central Minister
• Arvind Krishna, IBM CEO
• Raju Peddada, industrial and graphic designer
• Prabhas, actor
• Alluri Sitarama Raju, freedom fighter
• Krishnam Raju, film actor, Central Minister
• Ramalinga Raju, founder of Satyam Computer Services
• Trivikram Srinivas, film director
• Sunil (actor), actor
• Krishna Vamsi, film director
• Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Central Minister

References

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