Donakonda

Donakonda
Town

Vinukonda- Nandyal train section passes through Donakonda
Donakonda

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 15°50′00″N 79°29′00″E / 15.8333°N 79.4833°ECoordinates: 15°50′00″N 79°29′00″E / 15.8333°N 79.4833°E
Country  India
State Andhra Pradesh
District Prakasam
Talukas Donakonda
Elevation 136 m (446 ft)
Population
  Total 23,137
Languages
  Official Telugu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 523305

Donakonda is a town and a Mandal in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.[1] The name comes from a nearby hill. It had a population of 23,137 at the time of the 2001 Census.[2]

Geography

Donakonda is located at 15°50′00″N 79°29′00″E / 15.8333°N 79.4833°E in Prakasam district. The land is mostly flat though hilly country begins some distance away.

Demographics and economy

It is one of the larger towns in this area with a population of 23,137. There is little or no industry. Agriculture and its related products are the chief items of trade. Aravalli padu is 9 km away from Donakonda famous for agriculture

Transport

Donakonda is a station on the Vijayawada-Guntakal railway line and falls under the Guntur division of South Central Railway.[3][4] It is well connected to Bengaluru, Hubbali, Guntur and Secunderabad through passenger trains. In addition, the Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation provides bus services to most parts of the state. Donakonda is well connected to Ongole, Podili and Darsi by Road. Located on the main line that connects Rayalaseema and Karnataka to Andhra, augmented with the presence of Railway Station, connectivity by Road and the prospect of an Airport to be revived, Donakonda is a suitable location for establishing industries both big and small. Donakonda Airport, a disused airstrip, is located some distance away from the town.

Donakonda - Impact of Railways

Donakonda had a Steam Engine Loco Shed and every train that passed by had a Steam Loco change, during the Meter Gauge years. Hence there was a large presence of Railway Establishment, Employees, Quarters for Railway Employees, Railway Hospital,Railway Recreation Institute etc. The presence of Railway establishment was the prime source of economy to this Town. With the gauge conversion and migration from Steam to Diesel Locos, the Steam Loco Shed was closed and the town was deprived of the main source of economy and most Railway employees migrated to other Railway Divisions. The railway quarters has a deserted look. People of DKD, as Donakonda is popularly known, based on the Railway station code, hope that Indian Railways will use the existing resources with new Projects to revive lost glory of Donakonda.

References