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{{short description|Community development block in Hooghly, West Bengal}}
{{use Indian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Dhaniakhali
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Dhonekhali
| settlement_type = Community development block
| image_skyline = File:Dhaniakhali in Hooghly (West Bengal).svg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|22.97|N|88.10|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Representative democracy]]
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 275.68
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 16
| population_total = 320,534
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 712302 (Dhaniakhali) 712303 (Gurap) 712301 (Bhandarhati)
| area_code = +91 3213
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#WB.E2.80.94West Bengal|WB]]-15, [[List of RTO districts in India#WB.E2.80.94West Bengal|WB]]-16, [[List of RTO districts in India#WB.E2.80.94West Bengal|WB]]-18
| blank1_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank1_info_sec1 = 75.66%
| website = {{URL|hooghly.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], English
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Hooghly (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hooghly]], [[Arambag (Lok Sabha constituency)|Arambag]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Dhanekhali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dhanekhali]], [[Tarakeswar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Tarakeswar]]
}}

'''Dhaniakhali''' (also spelled '''Dhanekhali''') is a [[Community development block in India|community development block]] that forms an administrative division in [[Chinsurah subdivision]] of [[Hooghly district]] in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. The place has lent its name to the [[Tant saree|''tant'' (handloom) sari]] it produces.

==Overview==
The Dhaniakhali CD Block is part of the Hooghly-Damodar Plain, one of the three natural regions in the district of the flat [[alluvium|alluvial]] plains that forms part of the [[Ganges Delta|Gangetic Delta]]. The region has many depressions which receive water from the surrounding lands during the rainy season and discharge the water through small channels.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1912_PART_A_DCHB_HUGLI.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Hugli, Series-20, Part XIIA | work= Physigraphy, Page 17|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 14 June 2017 }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Map of hooghly district .jpg|thumb|500 px|left|Map of Hooghly district showing CD blocks and municipal areas]]
Dhanekhali is located at {{coord|22.97|N|88.10|E|format=dms|}}.
[[File:Dhaniakhali CD block map.svg|thumb|right|Map of Dhaniakhali CD block showing GP areas]]

Dhaniakhali CD Block is bounded by [[Pandua (community development block)|Pandua]] CD Block, in a part of the north and a part of the east, [[Polba Dadpur]] CD Block in a major portion of the east, [[Haripal (community development block)|Haripal]] and [[Tarakeswar (community development block)|Tarakeswar]] CD Blocks, in the south and [[Pursurah (community development block)|Pursurah]] CD Block and [[Jamalpur (community development block)|Jamalpur]] CD Block, in Bardhaman district, in the west.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hooghly.gov.in/map.htm | title = Map of Hooghly district | work = District Profile | publisher = Hooghly district administration | access-date = 20 May 2016 | archive-date = 16 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160516062503/http://www.hooghly.gov.in/map.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref>

It is located 36 km from [[Chinsurah]], the district headquarters.

Dhaniakhali CD Block has an area of 275.68 km2. It has 1 [[Panchayat Samiti (Block)|panchayat samity]], 18 [[gram panchayat]]s, 264 gram sansads (village councils), 214 [[mouza]]s and 214 inhabited villages. [[Dhaniakhali#Police station|Dhaniakhali]] and [[Gurap#Police Station|Gurap]] police stations serve this block.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Hooghly |work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 |publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 16 October 2018 }}</ref> Headquarters of this CD Block is at Dhaniakhali.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1912_PART_A_DCHB_HUGLI.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Hugli, Series-20, Part XIIA | work= Map of Hooghly district with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 1 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hooghlyzp.org/html/dhaniakhali.html | title = Dhaniakhali | work= Local Self-government| access-date = 6 June 2017 | publisher = Hooghly Zilla Parishad}}</ref>

[[Gram panchayat]]s of Dhaniakhali block/ panchayat samiti are: Belmuri, Bhanderhati I, Bhanderhati II, Bhastara, Dasghara I, Dasghara II, Dhaniakhali I, Dhaniakhali II, Gopinathpur I, Gopinathpur II, Gurap, Gurbari I, Gurbari II, Khajurdaha-Milki, Mandra, Parambua-Sahabazar, Somaspur I and Somaspur II.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx |title = Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal |work = Hooghly – Revised in March 2008 | publisher= Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 16 May 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==
===Population===
As per [[2011 Census of India]] Dhaniakhali CD Block had a total population of 320,534, all of which were rural. There were 160,789 (50%) males and 159,745 (50%) females. Population below 6 years was 31,228. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Castes]] numbered 105,811 (33.01%) and [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] numbered 45,715 (14.26%).<ref name=census2011>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) | work= 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 26 May 2016}}</ref>

As per 2001 census, Dhaniakhali block had a total population of 293,305, out of which 148,265 were males and 145,040 were females. Dhaniakhali block registered a population growth of 13.86 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Hooghly district was 15.72 per cent.<ref name=census>{{cite web|url= http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_12.htm|title=Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4 |access-date=2011-01-20 |work=Census of India 2001 – Hooghly district |publisher=Census Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928211036/http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_12.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |title=Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4 |access-date=2011-01-20 |work=Census of India 2001 |publisher=Census Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927041813/http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

Large (4,000+ population) villages in Dhaniakhali CD Block (2011 census figures in brackets): Srikrishnapur (10,345), Shrirampur (4,170), Gopinagar (5,424), Mandara (7,610), Bhandarhati (6,928), Samaspur (4,113), Gurap (7,856), Bhastara (5,084) and Cheragram (4,328).<ref name=census2011/>

Other villages in Dhaniakhali CD Block include (2011 census figures in brackets): [[Dhaniakhali]] (3,738).<ref name=census2011/>

===Literacy===
As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Dhaniakhali CD Block was 218,902 (75.66% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 119,539 (82.51% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 99,363 (68.79% of the female population over 6 years). The [[Literacy#Gender disparities|gender disparity]] (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 13.72%.<ref name=census2011/>

As per the 2001 census, Dhaniakhali block had a total literacy of 48.55 per cent. While male literacy was 68.42 per cent, female literacy was 46.07 per cent.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hooghlyzp.org/html/dhaniakhali.html | title = Dhaniakhali | work= Local Self-government| access-date = 4 August 2011 | publisher = Hooghly Zilla Parishad}}</ref>

See also – [[List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate]]

{{Literacy in CD Blocks of Hooghly district|collapsible=y}}

===Language and religion===

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Dhaniakhali CD block (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|80.85}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|16.34}}
{{bar percent|Other (tribal religion)|maroon|2.58}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.23}}
}}

As per the 2011 census, majority of the population of the district belong to the Hindu community with a population share of 82.9% followed by Muslims at 15.8%. The percentage of the Hindu population of the district has followed a decreasing trend from 87.1% in 1961 to 82.9% in the latest census 2011. On the other hand, the percentage of Muslim population has increased from 12.7% in 1961 to 15.8% in 2011 census.<ref name=census2>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1912_PART_A_DCHB_HUGLI.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Hugli, Series-20, Part XIIA | work= Religion, Mother-tongue Pages 50-51|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 1 June 2017 }}</ref>

In 2011 census Hindus numbered 259,152 and formed 80.85% of the population in Dhaniakhali CD Block. Muslims numbered 52,384 and formed 16.34% of the population. Others numbered 8,998 and formed 2.81% of the population.<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Dhaniakhali CD block (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 91.16 |color1 = orchid
|label2 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value2 = 7.63 |color2 = darkturquoise
|label3 = Others |value3 = 1.21 |color3 = grey
}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 91.16% of the population spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and 7.63% [[Santali language|Santali]] as their first language.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Rural poverty==
As per poverty estimates obtained from household survey for families living [[Below Poverty Line (India)|below poverty line]] in 2005, [[rural poverty]] in Dhaniakhali CD Block was 31.85%.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Hooghly.pdf |title = District Human Development Report: Hooghly |work = Table 2.38: Empirical Measurement of Rural Poverty in Hooghly 2005, page 89 |publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011 |access-date = 14 June 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170807182323/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Hooghly.pdf |archive-date = 7 August 2017 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Economy==
===Livelihood===
{{Pie chart
|caption= '''Livelihood in Dhaniakhali CD Block'''
|value1 = 17.50
|label1 = Cultivators
|value2 = 53.71
|label2 = Agricultural labourers
|value3 = 3.80
|label3 = Household industries
|value4 = 25.00
|label4 = Other Workers}}

In Dhaniakhali CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators formed 17.50%, agricultural labourers 53.71%, household industry workers 3.80% and other workers 25.00%.<ref name=handbook2014>{{cite web| url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Hooghly |work = Tables 2.7, 17.2, 16.1, 18.1, 18.2, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use| publisher= Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 16 October 2018}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
There are 214 inhabited villages in Dhaniakhali CD Block. 100% villages have power supply. 85 villages have more than one source of drinking water (tap, well, tube well, hand pump), 55 villages have only tube well/ borewell and 73 have only hand pump. 19 Villages have post offices, 30 villages have sub post offices and 9 villages have post and telegraph offices. 186 villages have landlines, 113 villages have public call offices and 176 villages have mobile phone coverage. 56 villages have pucca roads and 47 villages have bus service (public/ private). 27 villages have agricultural credit societies, 15 villages have commercial/ co-operative banks and 12 villages have bank ATMs.<ref name=censushandbook>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1912_PART_A_DCHB_HUGLI.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Hugli, Series-20, Part XIIA | work= Appendices to Village Directory, 2009, Pages 775-779|publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 1 June 2017 }}</ref>

===Agriculture===
This is a rich agricultural area with several cold storages.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://wbagrimarketingboard.gov.in/cold%20storage-ok/Cold%20storage11.html | title= List of functioning Cold Storage of West Bengal District wise as on 18.01.07 | publisher= West Bengal State Marketing Board | access-date= 28 January 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090122084728/http://wbagrimarketingboard.gov.in/cold%20storage-ok/Cold%20storage11.html | archive-date= 22 January 2009 | url-status= dead }}</ref> Though rice is the prime crop of the district, the agricultural economy largely depends on potato, jute, vegetables, and orchard products. Vegetable is a prize crop in the blocks of Haripal, Singur, Chanditala, Polba and Dhaniakhali being grown in a relay system throughout the year. Though potato is cultivated in all the blocks of this district Dhaniakhali, Arambagh, Goghat, Pursurah, Haripal, Polba-Dadpur, Tarakeswar, Pandua and Singur contributed much of its production of this district.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://hooghly.nic.in/AGRI-INTEN.HTM | title= Intensive cropping with remarkable feature of Hooghly District | access-date= 28 January 2009 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220215/http://hooghly.nic.in/AGRI-INTEN.HTM | archive-date= 16 July 2011 | df= dmy-all }}</ref>

Some of the primary and other ''hats'' or markets in the Dhaniakhali block area are at: Belmuri, Gopinagar, Hazipur, Kananadi, Bhastara, Chowghata, Sahabazar, Dashghara, and Gurap.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbagrimarketingboard.gov.in/bazar/hooghly.html | title = Primary Hats/Markets of District | publisher = West Bengal State Marketing Board | work = Hooghly | access-date = 29 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090707074955/http://wbagrimarketingboard.gov.in/bazar/hooghly.html | archive-date = 7 July 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; font-size: 85%; background:#ffffcc; color:black; width:20em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
! style="background-color:#cccccc;" | Important Handicrafts of Hooghly District
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
*'''Zari Work on Sari''' - Pandua, Pursurah, Jangipara, Tarakeswar and other blocks - 3,000 families involved
*'''Chikon Embroidery''' – Babnan, Pandua, Singur - 2,500 families involved
*'''Silk and Cotton Printing''' – Serampore (Chanditala) - 300 families involved
*'''Brass and Bell Metal''' – Manikpat, Goghat, Arambagh - 150 families involved
*'''Conch Shell''' – Pandua, Khanakul, Makla, Chandannagar
*'''Jute Diversified Product''' – Baidyabati, Mogra
*'''Terracota''' – Chinsurah, Chandannagar, Baidyabati, Mogra
Source:District [[Human Development Report]] 2010: Hooghly P. 67
|}

The [[Tebhaga movement]] launched in 1946, in 24 Parganas district, aimed at securing for the share-croppers a better position within the existing land relation structure. Although the subsequent Bargadari Act of 1950 recognised the rights of [[bargadar]]s to a higher share of crops from the land that they tilled, it was not implemented fully. Large tracts, beyond the prescribed limit of land ceiling, remained with the rich landlords. From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | title = District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas | work = (1) Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9 (2) Chapter 3.4, Land reforms, pages 32-33 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 | access-date = 7 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | archive-date = 5 October 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Following [[Land reform in India|land reforms]] land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Dhaniakhali CD Block could be classified as follows: [[bargadar]]s 8.94%, patta (document) holders 6.64%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 3.46%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 21.47% and agricultural labourers 59.49%.<ref name=handbook2014/>
Dhaniakhali CD Block had 192 fertiliser depots, 56 seed stores and 63 [[Public distribution system|fair price shops]] in 2013-14.<ref name=handbook2014/>

In 2013-14, Dhaniakhali CD Block produced 50,670 tonnes of [[Rice#Ecotypes and cultivars|Aman paddy]], the main winter crop from 18,893 hectares, 13,300 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 4,489 hectares, 84 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 34 hectares, 83 tonnes of wheat from 40 hectares, 25,499 tonnes of jute from 1,311 hectares and 95,184 tonnes of potatoes from 5,800 hectares. It also produced oilseeds.<ref name=handbook2014/>

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Dhaniakhali CD Block was 24,640 hectares, out of which 17,370 hectares were irrigated by canal water, 3,390 hectares by tank water, 450 hectares by river lift irrigation, 640 hectares by deep tube wells and 2,790 hectares by shallow tube wells.<ref name=handbook2014/>

===Industry===
Pailan Group's Ascon Agro has set up a Rs 500 million potato flakes plant at Dhaniakhali. The potato plant, built on {{convert|65|acre|m2}}, has a capacity of 3,600 tons per annum. The project, with Export Oriented Unit-Special Economic Zone status, used machinery imported from The Netherlands and would employ 1500 people.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/pailan-potato-flakes-unit-launched/02/51/300584/ | title = Pailan potato flakes unit launched | publisher = Business Standard, 8 October 2007 | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080409/jsp/business/story_9112927.jsp | archive-url =https://archive.today/20130203140142/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080409/jsp/business/story_9112927.jsp | url-status =dead | archive-date =3 February 2013 | title = SPS Group acquires 55% of Pailan arm | publisher =The Telegraph, 9 April 2008 | access-date = 29 January 2009 | location=Calcutta, India | date=9 April 2008}}</ref>

===Textiles===
According to ''[[The Hindu Business Line]]'', "The Bengal cotton [[sari]] is a fashion statement, wherever it is worn" and have a market all over the country.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.blonnet.com/life/2004/11/05/stories/2004110500070100.htm
| title = The itinerant saree seller | publisher =The Hindu Business Line, 5 November 2004 | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' says that Dhaniakhali, [[Shantipur]] and [[Phulia]] are well–known for the traditional handloom saris of West Bengal. "In Dhaniakhali block every household has at least one loom. The sari produced here is named after the place".<ref name=Times>{{cite news | url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/42349490.cms | title = Bengal govt spins a woeful pattern for weavers | publisher = Times of India, 18 May 2001| access-date = 29 January 2009 | date=18 May 2001}}</ref> The material for the Dhaniakhali sari is somewhat coarse and heavier than other textiles from Bengal but suits the middle class budget and as such is popular.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://indiwo.in.com/india/guides/apparel-beautyfashion/buying-the-right-cotton-saree/11531/1 | title =Indiwo.in.com For the Indian woman Buying the Right Cotton ... | access-date =29 January 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090822164154/http://indiwo.in.com/india/guides/apparel-beautyfashion/buying-the-right-cotton-saree/11531/1 | archive-date =22 August 2009 | url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/26/stories/2007032603191500.htm
| title = Bengal saree expo in the Capital | publisher =The Hindu Business Line, 26 March 2007 | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref> An ordinary Dhaniakhali sari takes a minimum of two days (10–12 hours each day), to be woven, and the weaver collects [[Rs.]] 50 for it. It sells for Rs. 100 in the market. The most exotic ones take four to five days to weave, fetches the weaver Rs. 450, and is sold for Rs. 800.<ref name=Times/>

The weaving of [[Jamdani]] saris originated in [[Dhaka]] in Bangladesh. Dhakai jamdani was famous among the aristocratic ladies in olden days. Places like Shantipur, Dhaniakhali, [[Begampur]] and Farasdanga started producing the jamdani saris, after the partition of India.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://worldoftheindianwoman.blogspot.com/2008/12/jamdani-gorgeous-saris-of-bengal.html | title = World Of The Indian Woman: Jamdani: The gorgeous saris of Bengal | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.indianwomenclothing.com/indian-sarees/jamdani-sarees.html | title = Jamdani Sarees | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref>

In earlier days Dhaniakhali also produced superfine [[dhoti]]s but has switched over to saris as per changes in market demand.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.craftandartisans.com/textiles-of-west-bengal.html | title = Textiles of West Bengal, Craft and Artisans of India | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref> Now, they also want to weave material for [[Salwar kameez|salwar-kurtas]] in order to cater to the needs of the changing market.<ref name=Times/>

''The Times of India'' reports that the weavers of Dhaniakhali have been facing financial problems. More than half are members of a co-operative, Dhaniakhali Union Tant Silpi Samabaya Samity. The rest who operate through ''mahajans'' (middlemen or money-lenders) have a tough time. It is not that the saris are not selling, but the trouble is that they are not being paid in time by the state government-run emporia, who are the main buyers. It is difficult to function without cash since the raw material provided by the cooperative to the weavers cannot be bought on credit.<ref name=Times/>

[[Mamata Banerjee]], the West Bengal chief minister, generally wears only Dhaniakhali [[tant sari]] and has become a popular 'brand ambassador'.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mukherjee Pandey|first=Jhimli|title=The 'Mamata Saree' in hot demand|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/india/29581530_1_sarees-designs-weavers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419120518/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/india/29581530_1_sarees-designs-weavers|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

===Banking===
In 2013-14, Dhaniakhali CD Block had offices of 25 commercial banks and 1 [[Regional Rural Bank|gramin bank]].<ref name=handbook2014/>

==Transport==
Dhaniakhali CD Block has 1 ferry service and 5 originating/ terminating bus routes.<ref name=handbook2014/>

The Howrah–Bardhaman chord, a shorter link to Bardhaman from Howrah than the [[Howrah–Bardhaman main line]], was constructed in 1917.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/~mrinal/chronology.html | title = The Chronology of Railway development in Eastern Indian | publisher = railindia | access-date = 2011-11-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080316015721/http://www.irfca.org/~mrinal/chronology.html | archive-date = 16 March 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref> There are stations at Belmuri, Dhaniakhali (halt), Sibaichandi, Hajigarh and Gurap .<ref>{{cite web | url = http://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/howrah-barddhaman-jn-chord-local-36811/14441/1/2 | title = 36811 Howrah Bardhaman Jn Chord Local | work= Time Table| access-date = 8 June 2017 | publisher = indiarailinfo}}</ref>

[[Dhaniakhali railway station]] on the [[Howrah-Bardhaman chord]] was inaugurated in December 2003.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040109/asp/calcutta/story_2765623.asp | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120914124847/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040109/asp/calcutta/story_2765623.asp | url-status= dead | archive-date= 14 September 2012 | title= After fog, frenzy stalls trains - Mob blocks rail tracks with halt demand, schedules thrown awry | publisher=The Telegraph, 9 January 2004 | access-date=28 January 2009 | location=Calcutta, India | date=9 January 2004}}</ref> It is {{convert|49|km}} from [[Howrah Station]]<ref>Eastern Railway local time table</ref> and is part of the [[Kolkata Suburban Railway#Howrah Eastern Section|Kolkata Suburban Railway]] system.

There are two main bus stoppages, Madan Mohan Tala bus stop and Cinematala bus stop. Daily road transportation takes place through numerous bus routes which connect Dhaniakhali with Chinsurah - Tarakeswar - Haripal. It also connects with the Kolkata-Delhi [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]] (old no. 2) at '''Maheswarpur''', 8 km towards Chinsurah.

The Kolkata-Delhi [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]]/ Durgapur Expressway passes through this CD Block.<ref name="renumber">{{cite web|url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|title=Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways|publisher=[[Department of Road Transport and Highways]]|access-date=10 February 2017|location=New Delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201124738/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
In 2013-14, Dhaniakhali CD Block had 199 primary schools with 18,168 students, 19 middle schools with 1,276 students, 19 high schools with 10,938 students and 22 higher secondary schools with 25,681 students. Dhaniakhali CD Block had 1 general college with 1,273 students and 507 institutions for special and non-formal education with 8,927 students<ref name=handbook2014/>

In Dhaniakhali CD Block, amongst the 214 inhabited villages, 34 had no school, 44 had more than 1 primary school, 115 had at least 1 primary school, 65 had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 35 had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.<ref name=censushandbook/>

[[Sarat Centenary College]] was established at Dhaniakhali in 1978.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/alphareco_college.php?resultpage=4&st=S | title = Colleges | publisher = University Grants Commission | access-date = 29 January 2009}}</ref>

Dhaniakhali Mahamaya Vidyamandir is one of the best higher secondary schools in that area. It has Science, Arts as well as Commerce stream.

Little magazine-Lipika is one of the oldest little magazines published from Somospur.

==Healthcare==
In 2014, Dhaniakhali CD Block had 1 rural hospital, 6 [[Primary Health Centre (India)|primary health centres]] and 6 private nursing homes with total 77 beds and 12 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 57 family welfare subcentres. 7,112 patients were treated indoor and 322,441 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.<ref name=handbook2014/>

Dhaniakhali CD Block has Dhaniakhali Rural Hospital (with 30 beds) at [[Dhaniakhali]], Bhandarhati [[Primary Health Centre (India)|Primary Health Centre]] (with 10 beds), Chopa PHC (with 10 beds), Gurup PHC at PO Palashi (with 10 beds), Porabazar PHC (with 6 beds) and Khejurdaha-Milki PHC at PO Bhastara (with 10 beds).<ref name=medical>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/ | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 July 2017 | archive-date = 28 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028134305/https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99a499ee367f0c1530476c81086270c8 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

There is a 30 bed hospital operated by the local [[Lions Club]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.hooghly.gov.in/public_doc/Hooghly%20Health%20Profile%202013.pdf| title = Private Hospitals in Hooghly district| work = The list includes Nursing Homes also, but below we are giving only Hospitals| publisher = Hooghly district administration| access-date = 17 July 2017| archive-date = 17 May 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170517085300/http://www.hooghly.gov.in/public_doc/Hooghly%20Health%20Profile%202013.pdf| url-status = dead}}</ref>

Dhaniakhali CD Block is one of the areas of Hooghly district where ground water is affected by high level of [[Arsenic contamination of groundwater|arsenic contamination]]. The [[World Health Organization|WHO]] guideline for arsenic in drinking water is 10 mg/ litre, and the Indian Standard value is 50 mg/ litre. In Hooghly district, 16 blocks have arsenic levels above WHO guidelines and 11 blocks above Indian standard value. The maximum concentration in Dhaniakhali CD Block is 225 mg/litre.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb8.htm| title = Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (20 years study )| publisher = SOES| work = Hugli| access-date = 3 June 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170524133243/http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb8.htm| archive-date = 24 May 2017| url-status = dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}
{{Commons category|Maps of Hooghly District}}
{{Hooghly topics}}
{{Craft centres in West Bengal}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}

[[Category:Community development blocks in Chinsurah subdivision]]

Dhaniakhali (community development block) - Revision history

WilliamsLin216 at 03:18, 1 January 2026