| Barasat | |
| — suburb — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | West Bengal |
| District(s) | North 24 Parganas |
| Municipality Chairman | Sunil Mukherjee[1] |
| MP | Kakali Ghosh Dastidar |
| MLA | Chiranjeet (Dipak) Chakrabarty |
| Parliamentary constituency | Barasat |
| Assembly constituency | Barasat |
| Population • Density |
237,783 (2001[update]) • 2,223 /km2 (5,758 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 4 metres (13 ft) |
| Website | north24parganas.nic.in/ |
Barasat (Bengali: বারাসাত Barasat) is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.[2] The town is an important railway and roadway junction. Barasat is also the name of a sub-division centering the city.
As an urban setup in the vicinity of the Kolkata, the town is within the area of Greater Calcutta. Several significant roads like National Highway 34 (Krishnanagar Road leading towards North Bengal), Jessore road (road leading to Jessore in Bangladesh via Bongaon); road leading to Basirhat etc. cross through the town.
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Barasat is one of the oldest town of West Bengal. It has a past history during the period of Moghuls. At the period of Moghuls, Ram Sundar Mitra had got the Laminar at Barasat town. After that in 1600 AD Protapaditya. The king of Jcssore (at present in Bangladesh) had lost the battle. After that his commander of soldiers Sankar Chakrabrorty came to Barasat and established himself in Barasat town. He had done many development works of Barasat town during that period. After that in 1700 AD Hazarat Ekdilsa, the muslim sent, had come to Barasat and started residing at Kazipara. He had done many social reforming works in this town. After his death a tomb had been constructed at Kazipara where he had been buried. This place is now a pilgrimage place of Muslim community. Protapaditya had made his way to Kolkata from Jessore and Sirajudoulla had made his way to Kolkata from Murshidabad via Barasat, which are later on converted into two National Highways.
At the time of British Empire, Barasat Town had gradually got its importance. British had made Barasat as their week end relaxation place. They had made many garden house at various places within Barasat town. Warren Hestings had made his Villa in the heart of Barasat town. During that period, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the renowned Author, was the first Indian Deputy Magistrate of this town.The Blue merchant had kept over the control of Barasat and had torture on the poor people for cultivation of Blue. Titumir, the renowned freedom fighter, had declared revolution against Blue merchant at that time at Barasat. The renowned personalities like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Pyari Charan Sarkar, Kalikrishna Mitra had done many social reformation works like development of education along with women education and widow marriage at Barasat town.
In this way Barasat was getting importance day by day and British Govt. thought to make Barasat, a municipal town along with other ten places. Barasat at primary stage was a district and later on it had become division. At present it is the district headquarter of North 24 Parganas district.[3]
In the early nineteenth century, there was a college in Barasat for the cadets who arrived from Europe for the first time to India.[4] From 1834 to 1861, Barasat was the seat of a joint-magistrate, known as "Barasat District". In 1861, the joint magistracy was abolished, and the Barasat District became a sub-division of the Twenty-four Parganas district.[4]
The town has important historical contributions, including historical landmarks such as the first Nilkuthi (establishments of the initial English settlers who started the cultivation of indigo dye), the Bungalow of Lord Hastings, the Bungalows of Magistrates of 24 Parganas and the site of hanging of Maharaja Nandkumar.
Barasat is located in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta region in the district of North 24 parganas, West Bengal state in the eastern India. The Bangladesh border - at Petrapole is situated about 70/ 80 km from the city.
The average altitude is 11 metres. No notable river flows by the city. The nearest one is Ganges itself — about 15 km to the west. The city is in the Gangetic plain lacking any hills.
Barasat is 22 km from Sealdah Station on the Sealdah–Bangaon branch line. It is at one end of the Barasat-Basirhat-Hasnabad branch line of Eastern Railway.[5]
The climate is tropical — like the rest of the Gangetic West Bengal. The hallmark is the Monsoon — from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer.
Temperature :43 °C in May(Max) and 14 °C in January(Min)
Relative Humidity: Between 55% in March & 98% in July
Rainfall: 1,579mm(Normal)[6]
An important trade centre for rice, legumes, sugarcane, potatoes, and coconuts, cotton weaving is the major industry in Barasat.
There are a major textile mill and a rubber factory (Banik Rubber Factory) near the town. However one can find many small industries in and around the town. The business of the city is mainly retailing, though there are dealers who supply mainly to the rest of the district. Various brand's showroom and company's outlets are there is the city. Barasat BaraBazar(বড় বাজার) is the main hub for retailer and wholesaler business man. Barasat Bazar is located between Barasat rail station and NH35.
The major occupation of the residents is service. The proximity to Kolkata helps residents commute daily to Kolkata.
Barasat Municipality was born on 1 April 1869 but up to 1882 it had not any independent existence like other offices it was controlled by Magistrate Office, during that time there was no Chairman of the municipality, Magistrate was the Controller of municipality. Later on alter 1882 Barasat Municipality had got its own formation as an autonomous body and became local government. Barasat Association, a citizens organization, had help Barasat Municipality by donating land for the construction of municipal building.
Total Barasat municipal area divided into 29 nos. of Mouzas. Previously, there were 4 nos. of Wards and after that 18 nos. of Wards under Barasat Municipality. Later on after amalgamating surrounding Panchayets within Barasat Municipality in 1995 and then after, at present Barasat Municipality has 30 nos. of Wards.[3]
District Court handle all kind of local and national cases.
The Zilla Parishad of North 24 Parganas came into existence on 26 June 1986 due to bifurcation of erstwhile 24 Parganas district with respect to North South divide on geographical pattern. This is the highest tire of three tire Panchayati Raj system having its head quarter at Barasat. It has six riverine Panchayat Samities in Sundarban region having saline tract on one side and a rich alluvial tracts of river Ichhamati Basin and industrial belt of Barrackpore on the other side. Its territorial jurisdiction is structured upto the International Border of Bangladesh along the eastern side.[7]
Shri Sanjay Bansal, IAS took over the charge of District Magistrate & Collector, North 24 Parganas on the 19th August 2011.
Chapadali: This is a major city center. Different bus route's buses are available from here.
Colony More: This is a junction of Krishna Nagar highway and Barakpur Highway road connected to city of joy.
DuckBanglow More: This also another junction of Jessore road and Krishnanagar Highway.
Barasat town it well connected with roads to Kolkata, North Bengal, Bangladesh and other towns of West Bengal. The two nos. of National Highways (NH 34 & NH 35) and one no of State Highway (SH 2) run through Barasat town, Barasat is also well connected by railway with Sealdah, Bongaon and Basirhat.
From Kolkata,Take V.I.P Road (Najrul Islam Sarani) off Ultadanga (V.I.P.Crossing) to reach Airport Gate No. 1 and take right to Jessore Road (National Highway 34).Barasat is 8 kilometres straight drive from this crossing.
Barasat is a major roadway junction. The NH 34 (initially under the name Krishnanagar Road) goes towards north ultimately to the North Bengal and is the major link between Calcutta and the North-East India.
The Jessore Road (NH 35) leads to Bongaon and ultimately to the Bangladesh border at Petrapole.
The Taki Road leads to Basirhat, Hasnabad and Taki via Berachampa.
The Barrackpore Road links National Highway 35 at Barasat with Kalyani Expressway and Barrackpore.
The road of Barasat is very narrow and the residence of this place don't expect a good response from Road Department.
Chanpadali Bus terminal or Titumir Central Bus Terminal is the main bus terminal in barasat. Buses are servicing to this places:
Towards Kolkata: Madhyamgram, Dharmatala, Babughat, Kestopur, Ultadanga, SaltLake, DumDum, Garia, Tollygunj etc.
Towards South: Digha, Dimondharber, Sundarban etc.
Towards North: Maldha, Bardhawan, Durgapur, Siliguri, Balurghat, Baharampur, Beldanga, Rampurhat, Jagulia, Kandi etc.
Towards East: Bongaon, Habra, Ashok Nagar, Bagdha etc.
Towards West: Barakpore, Naihati, Krishna Nagar etc.
International Volvo Bus Services towards: Dacca (Bangladesh), Timpu (Bhutan)
There are several Air Conditioned Buses ply to Kolkata at morning and evening.
Barasat Junction is the railway station, on Bongaon line of Sealdah Station (North Section). This junction is where Bongaon line and Hasnabad-Basirhat line of Kolkata Suburban Railway get separated.
The Barasat - Basirhat Railway line was originally run by Martin's Light Railways. Now it is a section under Sealdah division of Eastern Railways.
Train Time Table of Barasat Local for 2009-2010
Barasat Local towards Sealdah: 5.16 am, 8.15 am, 10.40 am, 2.45 pm, 3.55 pm (to Princes Ghat), 4.10 pm, 5.12 pm (till Dum Dum):
Barasat Local towards Bongaon: 7.35 am, 3.40 pm (till Habra), 5.40 pm
Hasnabad Local from Barasat to Hasnabad: 4.45 am, 6.55 am, 4.50 pm, 6.05 pm, 9.58 pm
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is about 11 kilometres from Barasat city. There are Domestic and International terminals separately for domestic and international flights towards different part of the world.
Mainly depends on cycle-rickshaws and, quite interestingly, the three-wheeled man-driven "cycle-vans". Auto rickshaws ply between Barasat and nearby areas. Several buses connect the town with Kolkata, other suburbs of Kolkata and the other towns of West Bengal. The bus service to Kolkata is extremely frequent.
As of 2001[update] India census,[8] Barasat had a population of 231,515. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Barasat has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; 54% of the literates are male and 46% are female. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Population of Barasat–I CD Block was 249,625 according to 2001 census, with a population density of 2,223 persons per square km.[9] Barasat–II CD Block had a population of 239,699 in 2001 census, with a population density of 1,480 persons per square km.[9]
The culture milieu in Barasat reflects the usual culturel characteristics of similar small towns in Bengal.The educated middle-class community continues to perpetuate the Bengali cultural manifestations like drama, recitation, classical music, songs and dances, while young Turks take a rather revolutionary stand and let out their feeling in the form of minor little magazines and socially relevant functions like health check up camps etc.
In Barasat some religious ashrams like the ashrams of Pranabananda, Prabhu Jagadbandhu [4], Shibananda Dham, Shankar Moth O Mission [5], Sree Sree Yogashram, Hazarat Ekdil Shah Darga etc. are located.
The cultural diversity has increased over the years with the infiltration of more people from Bangladesh.An annual fair held in honour of a Muslim saint, Hazrat Ekdil Shah is attended by both Muslims and Hindus, since hundreds of years. Kalipuja is a very important event in Barasat.All the communities join this occasion together.Kalipuja (Dewali) is organized by different clubs of Barasat. few of them are KNC Regiment, Satadal Regiment, Barasat Chapadali Truck Association etc.
Rabindra Bhavan(রবীন্দ্র ভবন): is a cultural building made by West Bengal state cultural department on Jerrose road. There are so many cultural event and activity organised through out the year.
The town's schools are either run by the state government or by private organisations. Schools mainly use English or Bengali as the medium of instruction. The schools are affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enrol in a 2 year junior college (also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. Students usually choose from one of three streams — liberal arts, commerce, or science, though vocational streams are also available. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programmes.
Colleges:
University:
Some small local newspapers and magazines (Review Preview, Sabujer Abhijan etc.) are there. However the scenario is dominated by the media of Kolkata. Bengali language newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika, Aajkaal, Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin and Ganashakti are widely circulated. Regional and national English newspapers such as The Telegraph, The Statesman, Asian Age, Hindustan Times and The Times of India are available. Kolkata's radio stations are available here. Eleven local FM stations: AIR Kolkata (FM Rainbow & FM Gold), Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Red FM (93.5 MHz), Aamar FM (106.2 MHz), Gyan Vani (105.4 MHz),Fever FM(104 MHz),Radio One(94.3 MHz),Meow FM(104.8 MHz),BIG FM(92.7 MHz) and Power FM (107.8 MHz) are available. The state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan provides two free terrestrial channels, while MSO provide a mix of Bengali, Hindi, English and other regional channels via cable.
Football (soccer) is the passion of the citizens. Cricket is also played with great fanfare. Besides Indian sports like Kabbadi, kho-kho are also played. Famous Indian Football Website www.kolkatafootball.com run from the city of Barasat.
The Barasat Stadium (বিদ্যাসাগর ক্রীডাণ্গন) holds some matches of the Kolkata football league and also several district-level, state-level and, infrequently, national level tournaments of several games like volleyball, soccer etc. The stadium have the capacity of 22000+ with fully concreted one and two tire, 7 gates for entry and exit. There are four towers for Television Telecast with Air Conditioned Dressing Room, Press box and Official Room for Players, Media and VIP Guests
Achievement on Barasat District Sports Stadium:
Conducted AIFF U - 15 National Football League 2005
Legend Goalkeeper Peter Thangaraj's Benefit Match 2005
IFA Premier Football League Match Every Year
IFA Super Division Football League Match Every Year
IFA INTER School Football, Inter District Football Match Every Year
Barasat is one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contamination.[10]
The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Barasat also has several privately operated nursing homes and hospital. Barasat Cancer Research and Welfare Center is a treatment as well as research facility for cancer patients.
Government and Private Hospital in and around city:
Barasat General Hospital (Govt.)
Kalpataru General Hospital (Private)
Aditya Medical Park(Private)
Mega City Nursing Home (Private)
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was the deputy Magistrate of 24 Parganas in the 19th century.
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