Andal, Bardhaman

"Ondal" redirects here. For Goguryeo's general, see Ondal (Goguryeo). For the Tamil saint, see Aandaal.

Andal
—  city  —
Andal Location of Andal in West Bengal and India
Coordinates	23°36′N 87°12′E / 23.60°N 87.20°E / 23.60; 87.20Coordinates: 23°36′N 87°12′E / 23.60°N 87.20°E / 23.60; 87.20
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	Bardhaman
Parliamentary constituency	Asansol
Assembly constituency	Raniganj
Population	19,504 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 76 metres (249 ft)
Website	bardhaman.gov.in/

Andal (Bengali: অন্ডাল Anḍāl) is a census town and police station ^[1] in Durgapur subdivision of Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Geography

Andal is located at 23°36′N 87°12′E / 23.60°N 87.20°E / 23.60; 87.20. It has an average elevation of 76 metres (249 feet).

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.^[2]

Singaran, a small stream about 35 km long has its origin near Ikra in the Jamuria area, flows past Topsi and Andal and joins the Damodar near Waria.^[3]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[4] Andal had a population of 19,504. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Andal has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Andal, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

Road

Andal is on the Grand Trunk Road or NH2, now part of the Golden Quadrilateral. It is easily approachable from all other cities and towns in the region.

Rail

The best option to communicate Andal through Rail Station named as Andal Junction. It is on the Howrah-Delhi track and is linked with Sainthia through a branch line.Andal is named

Asansol division of Eastern Railway has the largest goods yard at Andal. The marshalling of wagons is done by a hump yard fitted with mechanical retarders.^[5]

Durgapur International Airport

Main article: Durgapur aerotropolis

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the West Bengal Government announced on 7 September 2007 plans to set up a new airport — along with a township, IT and logistics hub — at Durgapur-Andal Region. This earmarked the beginning of the Aerotropolis Project in Durgapur. Spread over approximately 2,182 acres (8.83 km²), the Durgapur Aerotropolis Project is shaping up in the Asansol Durgapur Planning Area (ADPA) of Burdwan District in West Bengal. Bestowed with premium facilities and great opportunities in the fields of metalwork, power-intensive industries, mining, iron and steel, engineering, petrochemicals, Information Technology (IT) and telecommunications, ADPA has proved to be an ideal destination for investors.

The current placement of Durgapur Domestic Airport promises to pave a smooth way for implementing development plans that will fulfill passenger and cargo traffic needs. As planned, an Integrated Township, IT Park and Logistics Hub will see the light of the day along with the Durgapur Aerotropolis Project. These will help in enhancing the growth prospects of Durgapur. BAPL has completed most of its legal procedures like receiving the In-Principal Clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and getting the Land Use Development Control Plan (LUDCP) approved by Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA). It has also entered into a Technical Services Agreement with Changi Airports India Pte Ltd, Singapore. ^[6] In the area both Burnpur and Durgapur have airstrips for the landing of small planes. The airfield at Panagarh is under Indian Air Force.

Politics

In the 1957 General Elections, Ondal was a dual constituency. While Ananda Gopal Mukherjee of INC won the open seat, Dwajadhari Mondal of INC won the seat reserved for Scheduled Castes.^[7] For election results in other years for the area see Ausgram and Durgapur

As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, from 2011 Andal community development block is part of Raniganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency).^[8]

Education

Andal has seven primary, four secondary and three higher secondary schools.^[9] There are two English medium secondary schools named St. Mary's (Station Road) and St. Francis Xavier School.

External links

• Map of Bardhaman district

See also

• Andal (community development block)

References

1. ^ District-wise list of stautory towns
2. ^ 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
3. ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p34
4. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
5. ^ Eastern Railway – Asansol
6. ^ "New airport planned near Durgapur". The Hindu Business Line, 8 September 2007. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/08/stories/2007090852192100.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-08. 
7. ^ "Statistical Report on General Elections 1957 to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal". Election Commission of India. http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1957/StatRep_WB_1957.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
8. ^ "Delimitation Commission Order No. 18". Government of West Bengal. http://ceowestbengal.nic.in/news_pdf/gazette123.pdf. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
9. ^ 7th All-India School Education Survey 2003