Dankuni

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Dankuni
ডানকুনি
City
T.N. Mukherjee Road, Durgapur Expressway, Dankuni
T.N. Mukherjee Road, Durgapur Expressway, Dankuni
Dankuni is located in West Bengal
Dankuni
Dankuni
Location in West Bengal, India
Dankuni is located in India
Dankuni
Dankuni
Dankuni (India)
Coordinates: 22°41′07″N 88°17′32″E / 22.6854°N 88.2922°E / 22.6854; 88.2922Coordinates: 22°41′07″N 88°17′32″E / 22.6854°N 88.2922°E / 22.6854; 88.2922
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictHooghly
RegionGreater Kolkata
SubdivisionSerampore
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyDankuni Municipality
 • ChairpersonHasina Shabnam
Area
 • Total35 km2 (14 sq mi)
Elevation
7.9 m (25.9 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total249,840
 • Rank11th in West Bengal
 • Density7,100/km2 (18,000/sq mi)
DemonymDankunian
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
711205, 712310, 712311, 712702 and 712708
Telephone code+91 33
Vehicle registrationWB-18
Websitehttp://dankunimunicipality.in/

Dankuni is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is now part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). It is considered posh area in Hooghly. It had an estimated population of 249,840 at the 2011 census.[1][2] It has a suburban station on the Calcutta Chord link line of the Kolkata Suburban Railway. Eastern Dedicated freight corridor ends here and three important highways i.e. Delhi Road, Durgapur Expressway and Mumbai Expressway merge here. This place is famous for Coal India unit that prepares some ancillary products from Coal.

Geography[edit]

Cities and towns in Chanditala I, Chanditala II and Jangipara CD blocks in Srirampore subdivision in Hooghly district
M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre,
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
Map of Dankuni municipality

Location[edit]

Dankuni is located at 22°41′07″N 88°17′32″E / 22.6854°N 88.2922°E / 22.6854; 88.2922.

Kharsarai, Tisa, Kapashanria, Jaykrishnapur, Purba Tajpur, Begampur, Baksa, Panchghara, Chikrand, Janai, Pairagachha, Naiti, Barijhati, Garalgachha and Krishnapur, all the census towns form a series from the northern part of Chanditala II CD Block to its southern part. The only municipality in the area, Dankuni, located outside the CD Block, occupies the south-east corner of the entire cluster.[3]

Police station[edit]

Dankuni police station has jurisdiction over Dankuni Municipal area and parts of Dankuni Housing complex police station and Sreerampur Uttarpara CD Blocks.[4][5]

Urbanisation[edit]

Srirampore subdivision is the most urbanized of the subdivisions in Hooghly district. 73.13% of the population in the subdivision is urban and 26.88% is rural. The subdivision has 6 municipalities and 34 census towns. The municipalities are: Uttarpara Kotrung Municipality, Konnagar Municipality, Serampore Municipality, Baidyabati Municipality, Rishra Municipality and Dankuni Municipality. Amongst the CD Blocks in the subdivision, Uttarapara Serampore (census towns shown in a separate map) had 76% urban population, Chanditala I 42%, Chanditala II 69% and Jangipara 7% (census towns shown in the map above).[6][7] All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Climate[edit]

City has a tropical climate. When compared with winter, the summers have much more rainfall. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Aw.

Located at an elevation of None meters (0 feet) above sea level, city's yearly temperature is 30.28°C (86.5°F) and it is 4.31% higher than India's averages. Dankuni typically receives about 150.21 millimeters (5.91 inches) of precipitation and has 150.54 rainy days (41.24% of the time) annually.

Etymology[edit]

The origin of the name "Dankuni" is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories about its etymology.

One theory suggests that the name "Dankuni" is derived from the Bengali words "Dhanya" (meaning "grain") and "Kuni" (meaning "heap"). This theory suggests that Dankuni was once a place where grains were stored in large heaps.

Another theory suggests that the name "Dankuni" is derived from the name of a local deity, "Dhankuni." According to this theory, the city was named after the deity and the temple that was built in her honor.

There is also a third theory that suggests that the name "Dankuni" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Dhenukuni." "Dhenu" means "cow" and "kuni" means "pit," so the name would refer to a pit where cows were kept. It is not clear which theory is correct, but all of them suggest that the name "Dankuni" has agricultural roots and is linked to the region's history as an agricultural area.

History[edit]

Dankuni is a city located in the Hooghly district of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city has a rich history that dates back to the pre-colonial era.

During the 18th century, Dankuni came under the control of the British East India Company. The city was an important center of jute production and had several jute mills that provided employment to the local population.

In the early 20th century, Dankuni became a hub of the Indian independence movement. Many freedom fighters, including Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, visited the city and addressed public meetings.

After India gained independence in 1947, Dankuni underwent rapid industrialization. Several factories and industries were set up in the city, which led to an influx of people from different parts of the country.

Demography[edit]

Population[edit]

In the 2011 census, Dankuni Urban Agglomeration had a population of 249,840, out of which 128,139 were males and 121,701 were females. The 0–6 years population was 22,956. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 85.69 per cent.[8]

Religion in Dankuni Urban Agglomeration (2011)
Religion Percentage
Hinduism
83.48%
Islam
10.33%
Buddhism
2.75%
Sikhism
1.73%
Christianity
1.21%
Others
0.49%

Literacy Rate[edit]

The literacy rate of Dankuni Agglomeration is 84.72% which is lower than National Urban average of 85 %. Literacy rate for male and female for Dankuni stood at 88.10 % and 81.20 % respectively. Total literates in Dankuni UA were 190,629 of which males were 101,141 and remaining 89,488 were females.

Languages[edit]

Languages of Dankuni (2011)[9]

  Bengali (70.12%)
  Hindi (25.79%)
  Odia (2.39%)
  Others (1.70%)

Bengali is the official language in Dankuni city.[10]

In the city at the time of the 2011 census, 70.12% of the population spoke Bengali, 25.79% Hindi and 2.39% Odia as their first language.

Urban Agglomeration[edit]

Map of Dankuni Urban Agglomeration

As per the 2011 census, Dankuni Urban Agglomeration includes: Dankuni (M), Purba Tajpur (CT), Kharsarai (CT), Begampur (CT), Chikrand (CT), Pairagachha (CT), Barijhati (CT), Garalgachha (CT), Krishnapur (CT), Baruipara (CT), Borai (CT), Nawapara (CT), Basai (CT), Gangadharpur (CT), Manirampur (CT), Janai (CT), Kapashanria (CT), Jaykrishnapur (CT), Tisa (CT), Baksa (CT), Panchghara (CT) and Naiti (CT).[11]

Civic administration[edit]

The civic administration of Dankuni is overseen by the Dankuni Municipality, which is responsible for providing basic civic amenities and services to the residents of the town.

The Dankuni Municipality is headed by a chairman who is elected by the members of the municipality. The municipality is divided into wards, and each ward is represented by a councillor who is also elected by the residents of the ward.

Economy[edit]

Commercial and Industrial activity[edit]

Some of the units engaged in commercial and industrial activity in and around Dankuni are:

  • Diesel Locomotive Component Factory of the Indian Railways was inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee at Dankuni in 2012. It produces high horse power diesel locomotive underframes. It functions as a sister unit of Banaras Locomotive Works at Varanasi.[12][13][14]
  • Electric Loco Assembly and Ancillary Unit of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works of Indian Railways at Dankuni has started functioning in 2016.[15][16][17]
  • The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will have its eastern terminus at Dankuni. The 1,839 km long Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni, is part of the total Dedicated Freight Corridor Project, presently with two corridors (western and eastern). The Son Nagar-Dankuni sector of the eastern corridor, will have electrified double line. There is provision for extension of the lines to the proposed deep-sea port in the Kolkata area. The Sonnagar-Dankuni sector is to be implemented through the PPP mode. The eastern corridor will serve primarily the steel and coal sectors. The Government of India approved the project in 2006 at an estimated initial cost of Rs. 28,181 crores. As of 2015, the project is delayed and needs additional sanctions for cost over runs.[18][19][20]
    File:Md, Clc.jpg
    Mother Dairy, calcutta
  • Mother Dairy, Kolkata was set up as a part of Operation Flood launched by the National Dairy Development Board in the 1970s. It covered the 4 metros and all the units were named Mother Dairy. Eventually, NDDB moved out and West Bengal Cooperative Milk Producers Federation took over in 1996. This is separate from the Delhi-based Mother Dairy. Kolkata Mother Dairy’s main plant at Dankuni produces 4.5 lakh litres of milk daily. Apart from milk, it produces dahi, yoghurt, paneer, ghee and drinking water.[21][22][23]
  • Dankuni Coal Complex, a low temperature carbonisation plant set up by Coal India Limited in the 1980s, and currently operated under lease, by South Eastern Coalfields Limited, at Dankuni, to produces 1,000 MT per day of solid smokeless fuel branded as "CIL Coke™" and 18 million cft per day of coal gas for supply in and around Kolkata and Howrah, through the Greater Calcutta Gas Supply Corporation Limited (A Govt of WB State Undertaking); Tar Chemicals.[24]
  • Bhusan Power and Steel started with a cold rolling and galvanising plants in 2001 at Bangihati, Mallickpara, Dankuni and have subsequently expanded.[25]
  • Dankuni Poly Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in 1982. It manufactures refined petroleum products.[26]
  • Nezone Tubes Ltd., Delhi Road, Village: Chakundi, DCC Township, Dankuni, was established in 2000. It produces galzanised tubes, steel tubes and galvanised pipes.[27]
  • File:Beng. Beverages.jpg
    Bengal Beverages Pvt. Ltd.
    Bengal Beverages Pvt. Ltd. was established at Dankuni in 1984. The authorised bottlers of Coca-Cola, its key products include Thumps Up, Sprite, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Limca, Maaza, Kinley Soda and Kinley Water.[28]
  • Patco Tech India Private Limited was established at Dankuni in 2007. It manufactures and exports discharge and collecting electrodes and air preheater baskets, used in thermal power and steel industries.[29]
  • Vikrant Forge Limited was established at Dankuni in 1985. It manufactures and exports forgings up to 8 tonnes for the power, steel and other industries.[30]
  • Anmol Industries (formerly. Anmol Biscuits)., one of the leading biscuit manufacturers, was established in 1993. It produces 8 lakh cartons per month (in 2017). It has manufacturing units at Dankuni and Noida.[31][32]
  • Ifabex Technologies formed in 2012.

Township project[edit]

Dankuni has two townships. One, the Government Housing Estate, was constructed by the Government of West Bengal and is popularly known as "Dankuni Housing". The other is Dankuni Coal Complex Township of Coal India Limited, known as "Township", for its employees, which was constructed by National Projects Construction Corporation Limited. A large portion of the Dankuni Coal Complex Township is being slowly encroached upon by the West Bengal Police. The Dankuni Coal Complex authorities have given two areas, on a very low rent lease, to Methodist School and Patha Bhavan School, within the township premises.

In addition to this, there was a plan for a new township at Dankuni. The project area was 4,846 acres (19.61 km2) of which 4,069 acres (16.47 km2) was township area and 777 acres (3.14 km2) was earmarked as industrial area. The project area covered 20 mouzas (villages) – 5 full and 15 part, spread across four police stations, namely Dankuni, Chanditala, Singur and Serampore. Important railway stations in the project area were Gobra, Janai Road and Begampur, apart from the important station at Dankuni itself, all on the Howrah-Bardhaman chord. Important road corridors cutting across the project area were Durgapur Expressway (NH 19), Delhi Road, Naity Road and Serampore-Siakhala Road. The Delhi-based DLF, which had entered into an agreement with KMDA for development of the township, withdrew from the project in 2009, primarily because KMDA was unable to procure land.[33]

Transport[edit]

Roads

Both NH 19 and NH 16 terminate at Dankuni.[34] The Palsit-Dankuni section of NH 19 (old numbering NH 2) is also referred to as Durgapur Expressway. Other major arteries meeting at Dankuni are Belghoria Expressway connecting to NH 12 (old numbering: NH 34), SH 13/ Dankuni-Mogra Delhi Road and SH 15.[35][36]

Dankuni Railway Station

Dankuni railway station is located on the Howrah-Bardhaman chord line, which was constructed in 1917. It is an important yard of the Howrah division. The Calcutta Chord from Dum Dum to Dankuni over the Willingdon Bridge (renamed Vivekananda Setu) was opened in 1932.[37] It is part of the Kolkata Suburban Railway system. Already, there is a growing presence of freight and wagon movements around Dankuni Railway Station, which is important as it connects Eastern Railway with South Eastern Railway with a link line. Dankuni has a fast-growing freight yard, where goods traffic is moved, sorted and packed to deliver at other destinations.

Kolkata Airport

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is situated 18.6 km From Dankuni

Metro Railway

Dankuni Metro Railway is a proposed metro line in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The project aims to connect the city center with the suburb of Dankuni, located on the outskirts of Kolkata. The proposed metro line will be around 14.5 km long and will have 12 stations.

The project is being implemented by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL). The estimated cost of the project is around Rs. 5,838 crore, and it is expected to be completed in 2025.

Culture[edit]

Dankuni is a town in West Bengal, India, with a diverse cultural heritage shaped by the confluence of various communities. The predominant community in Dankuni is Bengali, and the town has a rich cultural tradition in music, dance, and literature. Bengali folk songs, known as "Baul," are a popular form of music in the region, with many local musicians and singers performing them during festivals and cultural events.

File:U8l0cs.jpg
Staring into the goddess, Bengali Handicraft

• Dankuni is also known for its traditional handicrafts, particularly pottery. The town is home to several skilled potters who create intricate and beautiful designs on clay pots using traditional techniques. • Apart from the Bengali community, Dankuni is also home to a sizable population of Biharis, who have brought their own unique cultural traditions to the town.

File:Ib3drzz.jpg
Diwali night view of City

• Dankuni celebrates a number of festivals throughout the year including Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, Chhat Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja, Rath Yatra and Eid. During Durga Puja, the town comes alive with colorful pandals, elaborate decorations, and cultural programs. People from all communities come together to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.

• Food is an integral part of Dankuni's culture, with both Bengali and Bihari cuisines playing a prominent role. Bengali cuisine includes fish, sweets, rice, and vegetable dishes, while Bihari cuisine is known for its rich curries and meat-based dishes.

Overall, Dankuni's culture is a vibrant mix of Bengali and Bihari traditions, with a focus on music, dance, handicrafts, and food. The town has a strong sense of community and is known for its warm and welcoming people who celebrate their cultural heritage with pride.

Gallery[edit]

Neighborhoods[edit]

Dankuni has many neighborhoods the most notable being Howrah, Uttarpara, Konnagar, Chanditala, Jagadishpur, Serampore and Bally

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. "British Council".
  2. "censusindia.gov.in".
  3. "Census of India 2011, West Bengal: District Census Handbook, Hooghly" (PDF). Map of Chanditala II CD Block, page 663. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  4. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Hooghly". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. "Hooghly District Police". West Bengal Police. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  6. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Hooghly". Table 2.2, 2.4(a). Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  7. "C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  9. "C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Town level". census.gov.in. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  10. "West Bengal Official Language Act, 1961" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. "Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. "Mamata inaugurates Dankuni railway factory". The Hindu Business Line, 28 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  13. "Mamata inaugurates diesel locomotive factory". India TV 28 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  14. "Cabinet approves creation of one post of Chief Works Manager in the Mechanical Department on Eastern Railway". PM India. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  15. "2016:Various achievements of the Ministry of Railways". 2 January 2017. Political Mirror. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  16. "Rlys to appoint consultats for locomotive unit". The Economic Times, 3 October 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  17. "Bids opened for procurement of 200 locomotives". Business Standard, 1 July 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  18. "Chapter 3:Dedicated Freight Corridor Projects" (PDF). Status of Ongoing Projects of Indian Railways, Report No. 48 of 2015. CAG. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  19. "Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project" (PDF). 5.5.2010. Indian Railways. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  20. "Dedicated Freight Corridor Project:Progress and Opportunities" (PDF). DFC, 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  21. "Plants". West Bengal Cooperative Milk Producers Federation. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  22. "Mother Dairy gets new avtar, new mission". The Times of India, 17 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  23. "Mother Dairy promoter forays into mineral water business". Business Standard, 15 November 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  24. "Dankuni Coal Complex". South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  25. "Bhusan Power & Steel". Manufacturing Units. Bhusan Power & Steel. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  26. "Dankuni Poly Chemicals Pvt Ltd". Zauba Corp. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  27. "Nezone Tubes Ltd". indiamart. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  28. "Bengal Beverages Ltd". Indian Beverage Association. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  29. "Patco Tech India Private Limited". indiamart.com. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  30. "Vikrant Forge Limited". ExportersIndia.com. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  31. "Anmol Biscuits Ltd". tradeindia.com. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  32. "Top 10 biscuit brands in India". Business Maps of India. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  33. "DLF exits Dankuni Township Project". Namrata Acharya. Business Standard, 14 May 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  34. "Completed Stretches on NH2 (Delhi-Kolkata)". Status : 31st Aug, 2005. National Highways Authority of India. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  35. "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). New Delhi: Department of Road Transport and Highways. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  36. "Road - Highway". Public Works Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  37. Chaudhuri, Sukanta, The Railway Comes to Calcutta, in Calcutta, the Living City, Vol. I, edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, p. 239, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-563696-3.
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other