Raniganj (community development block)
Raniganj
রাণীগঞ্জ | |
|---|---|
Community development block | |
| Country |  India |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | Bardhaman |
| Parliamentary constituency | Asansol |
| Assembly constituency | Asansol Dakshin, Jamuria |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.01 sq mi (41.47 km2) |
| Elevation | 299 ft (91 m) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 101,678 |
| • Density | 6,350/sq mi (2,452/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC+5.30 (IST) |
| PIN | 713347 |
| Area code | +91 341 |
| Literacy Rate | 65.85 per cent |
| Website | http://bdoraniganj.in/ |
Raniganj (community development block) (Bengali: রাণীগঞ্জ সমষ্টি উন্নয়ন ব্লক) is an administrative division in Asansol subdivision of Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Raniganj police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is at Searsole Rajbari. Banshra, Chelad, Ratibati, Chapui, Jemari (J.K. Nagar Township), Amkula, Murgathaul, Raghunathchak, Ballavpur and Belebathan are urban areas in this block.[1][2]
Geography
Searsole Rajbari is located at 23°37′44″N 87°06′54″E / 23.629°N 87.115°E.
Raniganj community development block has an area of 41.47 km2.[2]
The Asansol-Durgapur region is composed of undulating laterite soil. This area lies between two 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.[3]
Gram panchayats
Gram panchayats of Raniganj block/panchayat samiti are: Amrasota, Ballavpur, Egara, Jemari, Ratibati and Tirat.[4]
Demographics
As per 2001 census, Raniganj block had a total population of 101,678, out of which 55,160 were males and 46,518 were females. Raniganj block registered a population growth of -20.45 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.[5]
Scheduled castes at 33,515 formed around one-third the population. Scheduled tribes numbered 9,761.[6]
Economy
Coal
The first Indian coal-mine to use a pit was established at Narayankuri in Raniganj,[7] although the first coal mine was established elsewhere in 1774 by John Sumner and Suetonius Grant Heatly.[7] Later, Prince Dwarakanath Tagore was involved with the pit, as the first Indian in the coal-mining business.[7]
Coal-bed methane
The coal-bed methane gas block of Essar Group, the largest CBM player in India, in Raniganj is close to commercial production.[8]
Industries
Asansol-Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) has developed the Managalpur Industrial Estate.[9]
Literacy
As per 2001 census, Raniganj block had a total literacy of 65.85 per cent for the 6+ age group. While male literacy was 76.59 per cent female literacy was 52.97 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.[10]
Transport
Narayankuri ghat, on the Damodar was used by M/s Carr Tagore & Company for transporting coal to Kolkata by boat in the middle of the nineteenth century.[11] Varying levels of water in the Damodar posed problems for transportation. In order to capture the lucrative coal transport business, East Indian Railway laid lines up to Raniganj in 1855.[11] It captured the entire coal transport business. The line was extended to Asansol in 1863.[11]
External links
References
- ^ "Contact details of Block Development Officers". Burdwan district. West Bengal Government. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ a b c "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Barddhaman District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), Template:Bn icon, Vol I, pp 14-15, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "TRU for all Districts (SC & ST and Total)". Census 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ a b c "Govt. steps in to protect Dwarakanth heritage". The Statesman, 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Oil and Gas". Largest CBM player in India. Essar. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Promotion of West Bengal as an investment destination". Asansol-Durgapur Development Authority. WBIDC. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 5, Bardhaman District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ a b c "Asansol". railindia. Retrieved 2011-08-26.