Moradabad is situated on the banks of the Ramganga river, at a distance of 167 km (104 mi) from the national capital, New Delhi and 344 km north-west of the state capital Lucknow. The city is known as Pital Nagri, ("Brass City") for its famous brass handicrafts industry.[3] It is also divisional headquarters of Northern Railway (NR).[4][5]
History
Moradabad was established as an office for the Chaupala pargana during emperor Akbar's regime. In AD 1624 it was captured by Rustam Khan, the then Governor of Sambhal who named it Rustam Nagar. Later, in AD 1625 its named was changed to Moradabad, after the name of prince Murad Baksh, the son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.[citation needed] A mosque named Jama Masjid was constructed in the city by Rustam Khan for the Mughal Emperor.[according to whom?]
Geography
Moradabad is situated on the banks of the Ramganga river, that originates from the Doodhatoli ranges and is a part of the Namik Glacier, originating from the high altitude zone of 800mts. to 900mts. The Ramganga flows to the south west from the KumaunHimalaya. It is a tributary of the Ganga. It flows by the Corbett National Park near Ramnagar of Nainital district, from where it descends upon the Gangetic plain. The Ramganga Dam has been built on the Ramganga river at Kalagarh for irrigation and electricity generation.[citation needed]
Moradabad has a history of flash floods occurring[6] due to the over-flooding of Ramganga river.
According to the 2011 census Moradabad district has a population of 887,871,[7] roughly equal to the nation of Singapore[8] or the US state of Alabama.[9] This gives it a ranking of 26th in India (out of a total of 640).[7] The district has a population density of 1,284 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,330/sq mi) .[7] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 25.25%.[7]
In 2011 a new district named Sambhal district is formed with two sub districts of Moradabad district.
The rest of Moradabad district have a population of 3126507.The Muslim population in rest of Moradabad district is 1588297.
Moradabad has a sex ratio of 903 females for every 1000 males,[7] and a literacy rate of 58.67%.[10][11]
Muslima Girls Degree College ( Founded by Mohammad Aslam Shamsi 1951-2014 )
Police Training Academy
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Police Academy, Moradabad is situated in the heart of Uttar Pradesh . Indian Police Services Officer and State Police Service officer of UP cadre and Uttrakhand Cadre are trained here before appointment.
The Police Training College was earlier Known as Police Training School (PTS), established in Allahabad in 1878 under an Assistant Superintendent of Police. It was shifted to Moradabad in 1901.The Police Academy is headed by the Director General of Police (Training) who sits in Moradabad. Now Shri Udayan Parmar IPS is Director of this Academy as of June 2010.[13]
The Police Academy has two other Police colleges under its administration i.e. Police Training College and Police Training School former is used to train Police officer of the Rank of Inspector, Sub-Inspector and later is used to train head constables and Constable.
Provincial Armed Constabulary
Beside above Inspector-General of Police, western zone, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) also sits in Moradabad.
Moradabad has Battalion headquarters of 9/23/24 Bn. of U.P. Provincial Armed Constabulary, also have their offices here. Moradabad is the largest Police establishment of U.P. Police after Lucknow.[14]
Economy
Aaftab- One of the Main Handicraft Item of Moradbad
Moradabad is a major industrial city and export hub. Its handicrafts industry accounts for more than 40% of total handicraft exports from India.
In 2006-2007, Moradabad's export turnover was ₹32 billion ($530 millions).[15] In 2012-2013 it increased to ₹40 billion ($667 millions).
In October 2014, Livemint included Moradabad in its list of "25 Emerging Cities To Watch Out For In 2025".[16]
Moradabad's brass industry that employs tens of thousands of workers has been impacted by ongoing wars in Libya and Syria.[17]
Special Economic Zone
Moradabad Special Economic Zone (SEZ) the only Uttar Pradesh Government Developed SEZ[18] in northern India, headed by the Development Commissioner, Noida SEZ and locally governed by the Asststant Development Commissioner, was set up in 2003 at Pakbara – Dingarpur Road in Moradabad on a 421.565 acre plot of land. Government of UP through UPSIDC being developers to this SEZ project has so far invested a sum of ₹1100 million on its development. Moradabad SEZ provides excellent infrastructure, supportive services and sector specific facilities for the Handicraft Trade. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR and availability of skilled and dedicated manpower makes it ideal for setting up various industries in Handicrafts & its allied filed. Moradabad SEZ was operationalised since April, 2007 when it started with only one unit, however till today in spite of global slowdown in the handicraft trade for past four years; this zone has now 22 operational Units.[18]
Moradabad SEZ has 465 developed plots of varying sizes. Future expansion of this has been strategically planned and soon it will be available for few more export sectors.
Infrastructure, supportive services and trade related facilities have been substantially upgraded during the last few years. Moradabad SEZ offers access to global telecommunication network, uninterrupted power supply and efficient local transport system. An ultra modern RSU Telephone Exchange has been installed in the Zone, besides the availability of all the mobile frequencies in and around the zone through various mobile communication towers. An independent feeder line has since been provided for uninterrupted power supply, the reliability and quality of power supply has improved with the pre-commissioned 32 / 11 KVA / 5.0 MVA [18] Power Sub-station within Moradabad SEZ. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR provides easy access to financial and commercial infrastructure of the capital. Customs Wing ensures prompt and on the spot clearances of export/import consignments through web based system called "sezonline".[18]
State Highway 43 - it connects Moradabad to the historical city of Badaun, which is 102 km away and Farrukhabad, which is 210 km away, via Bisauli. It also extends to Kanpur.
State Highway 49 - connects Moradabad to Haridwar, merging into State Highway 78 at Dhampur.
State Highway 76 - connects Moradabad to Bijnor via Noorpur.
State Highway 78 - connects Moradabad to Amroha via Pakbara.
Amenities
Moradabad railway station is categeory 'A' railway station.[20] It has a Tourist Information Centre, Post Office, telegrapgh office, General Railway Police Office, computerised reservation counters, retiring room, vegetarian and non vegetarian refreshment rooms, tea stall and book stall. It also has the Tatkal seat Booking counter.
Electrification
Electrification[20] of the 636 km (395 mi) long Mughasarai-Moradabad line was completed in 2013.Many trains on Ambala and Lucknow line run with electric locomotives (including Freight trains) Electrification of Delhi-Moradabad line is under progress and expected to be completed by December 2015. Being one of important section of the Northern Railways, Indian railway has given this project a high priority.
Electrification of 135 km line between Ghaziabad - Moradabad is complete as of 31-03-2015. CRS's detailed inspection of GZB-MB section Electrification completed successfully on 19-01-2015.
