Kanchrapara

Kanchrapara কাচঁরাপাড়া
city
Kanchrapara Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	North 24 Parganas
Government
• Municipality Chairman	Sudama Ray
Area
• Total	9.06 km2 (3.50 sq mi)
Elevation	10 m (30 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	122,181
Languages
• Official	Bengali, English, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code	9133
Lok Sabha constituency	Barrackpore
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Bijpur
Website	north24parganas.nic.in

Kanchrapara is a large town and a municipality under Bijpur police station of Barrackpore subdivision in North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.

History

From early historical period, geographically, this area had been full of a swamps, natural riverine lake, low land, water bodies sparse village-settlements surrounded by deep jungle infested with wild animals of all kinds. Barring a few pockets the area was considered unfit for human habitation.

However, around this area there were several dozen villages more or less prosperous, such as Mallickerbag, Kanchanpalli or Kanchrapara, Bhabanipur, Ghoshpara Chandua and Kampa. This area was opened to development in 1862, when the Sealdaha Kusthia Broad Gauge Railway Line, and the 1863 construction of a 132000 m² locomotive workshop and railway station on the northernmost tip of Bizpur Mouza, were completed by the Eastern Bengal State Railway. In 1914 a carriage and wagon shop were added. Subsequently a planned Railway Township was laid and built to the East & South West of the Workshops with a wide range of infrastructure - roads, drains, bridges, street lights, internal Railway lines, parks, Institutes, Administrative Buildings, Technical School, Hospital, Co-operative shopping stores, Bazaar, play grounds for football, Tennis, golf, theatres attached to each institute (Hindmarsh, Institute, Bell Institute, Spalding Institute), Officers’ Club etc. The resulting population increase caused the construction of huts and pucca buildings, necessitating laying out Municipal infrastructure beyond the Railway area.

The town thus created was named Kanchrapara, since the Rly. Station at Bijpur was named after the then village Kanchanpalli or Kanchrapara, prosperous economically and culturally, being the seat of many stalwarts of Baishnab literature and early Bengali literature, as well as famous Vaidyas.

Geography

Kanchrapara is located at . It has an average elevation of 10 metres (32 feet). It is bounded by the Ganges River on the west.

Demographics

As of 2011 Indian census, the total population in the town is 122181, with 61770 males and 60411 Females. Kanchrapara has an average literacy rate of 90.8%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 94.51%, and female literacy is 87.02%. The population includes 8532 persons under 6 years of age.

Economy

Kanchrapara Railway Workshop

Kanchrapara Railway Workshop was established in 1863. It served the defence department for repairs to aircraft and manufacture of armoured cars and grenade shells during World War II. The second 5-year plan brought about drastic changes with diesel and electric traction. Electrification on the Railway system in the eastern region necessitated major repair and overhaul facilities for Electric Loco, EMU Rolling Stock from early 60’s. Kanchrapara was selected to play the key role in these spheres. In 1962 a decision was taken for remodelling Kanchrapara Workshop in order to make it a base workshop for electric locos electrical multiple unit stock of Eastern and South Eastern Railways.

Timber Industry

Wooden furniture-making and timber harvesting are the major economic factors at Kanchrapara.

Wardrobe Market

In recent times, several shopping malls in Kanchrapara have been opened, these include Xpress Bazaar (formerly Khadim's Khazana), Style Bazaar, Kolkata Haatz and Metro Bazaar. Merchandise show rooms of Adidas, Peter England, Nike, Raymond, Tommy Hilfiger are also found. Many people from distant areas along with local residents visit these for marketing on occasions or hangouts.

Transportation

Kanchrapara KGR Path near Milannagar

Kanchrapara Railway Station

• Airbase: Kanchrapara Airfield (Closed).
• Railway: Kanchrapara Railway Station. EMU Trains, UP towards Krishnanagar City, Shantipur, Ranaghat, Chakdaha & Kalyani Simanta, DOWN towards Naihati, Barrackpore, Dumdum, Sealdah, Budge Budge, Princep Ghat & Majherhat. Lalgola Passenger & MEMU.
• Roads & Highway: Kalyani Expressway, Kabiguru Rabindra Path, Kanchrapara Jaguli Road connects to NH 34. State Busses running across the town consist of route no. 85 to Barrackpore, 88 to Barasat, route no. 22 to Haringhata & Nagarukhra ,route no. 27 to Jaguli via Kalyani.

Private Bus

• 85 Barrackpore Court - Shyamnagar - Naihati - Kanchrapara
• 88 Barasat - Amdanga - Jaguli - Kanchrapara

Nadia Bus

• 22 Kanchrapara - Haringhata - Nagarukhra - Nimtala
• 27 Kanchrapara - Kalyani Simanta

Education

Kanchrapara Harnett High School

Kanchrapara contains several educational facilities. There is a college named Kanchrapara College under University of Kalyani, Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 Kanchrapara & Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2 Kanchrapara are also present in the locality which are under the Ministry of H.R.D , Govt.of India. Other well known educational institutes are Kanchrapara Harnett English Medium School (C.B.S.E), Kanchrapara Harnett High School for boys, Kanchrapara Indian Girls' High School & Kanchrapara High School

Healthcare

North 24 Parganas district has been identified as one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contamination.

Culture

Krishna-Raya Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is a point of attraction. Sri Laxmi Talkies is the most visited Movie Theater in the area. Craig Park at nearby Halisahar is a popular recreation spot.Dakati KaliBari on Bongaon Road is a famous temple which has a historical value.