Chikodi

Chikkodi
ಚಿಕ್ಕೋಡಿ
city

Location in Karnataka, India

Coordinates: 16°26′N 74°36′E / 16.43°N 74.6°E / 16.43; 74.6Coordinates: 16°26′N 74°36′E / 16.43°N 74.6°E / 16.43; 74.6
Country  India
State Karnataka
District Belgaum
Government
 • MP(Member of Parliament) Prakash Hukkeri
Elevation 683 m (2,241 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 40,000
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 591201
Telephone code 08338
Vehicle registration KA-23

Chikodi is a taluka and Town Municipal Council city constituted in 1973 in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. Chikodi has many district level offices but still it is not declared as a district by the State Government.

History

Around 200–300 years ago, Chikodi was called as Chik-kodi (small village) where as the nearby Hirekudi (big village) was bigger than Chikodi. Overtime, Chikodi experienced growth due to its famous betel leaves and came to lie on a major road.

Geography

Chikodi is located at 16°26′N 74°36′E / 16.43°N 74.6°E / 16.43; 74.6.[1] It has an average elevation of 683 meters (2240 feet). The town has an area of 18.29 km2. and is situated amidst hills, temperature varies from a maximum of 35⁰ C to a minimum of 18⁰ C, maximum average rainfall annually is 826.64 mm.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[2] Chikodi had a population of 38,307. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 79% and female literacy of 66%.

Business

Chikodi, mostly dependent on agriculture. Sugarcane occupies an important place in the economy of Chikodi which has three sugar factories, Dudhaganga Krishna Sugar Factory, Nanadi which is the nearest, Venkateshwara Power Project Ltd. Bedkihal, and Om Sugars Ltd. Jainapur among others. Tobacco farming is another major agricultural sector. Major production of tobacco comes from Galatga, Shiragaonwadi, Khadaklat villages. Nowadays trend of Sericulture is picking up.

Tourism and attractions

Education

Chikodi is considered as an education hub in Belagavi district for its educational institutions and facilities. Some of them are:

There is also a proposal to start Sub-regional Science Centre and Automated driving test track in Chikodi..

Dispute regarding District status

Belgaum district is the largest district in the karnataka so bifurcation of district is must. Bifurcation of Belgaum district, which includes a total of 14 taluka's, has been a long pending issue. Karnataka Govt. has already provided the District level offices to Chikodi which would help in the development of neighbouring talukas of Chikodi, Hukkeri, Athani, Raybag, Nipani, and Kagawad. But as of now no decision has been made regarding bifurcation of Belgaum district and also not declared Chikodi as a separate district status by Karnataka Govt.

List of District Level Offices in Chikodi:-

1. Revenue Subdivision Office - 5 taluks

2. Regional Transport Office (RTO)[KA-23] - 6 taluks

3. Chikodi Loksabha Constituency - 8 MLA's

4. NWKRTC Divisional Office - 6 bus depots

5. Chikodi Postal Division - 5 taluks

6. District Health & Family Welfare Office - 8 taluks

7. Educational District (DDPI) Office - 8 BEO offices

8. District Irrigation Office - 6 taluks

9. Police Department (DCP/DYSP) Subdivision - 10 police stations

10. Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) - 5 taluks

11. Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) - 8 taluks

12. Zilla Panchayat Executive Engineer Office - 8 taluks

13. Judicial District - 8 taluks

14. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department - 8 taluks

15. Deputy Director of Pre University(DDPU) Office - 5 taluks

16. Executive Engineer of the Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Department - 7 taluks


The attempts of the Government declaring Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) post for Chikodi..

Transportation

Majority of public transport in Chikodi connecting surrounding villages and towns is through city buses run by North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) from Chikodi bus depot. Auto rickshaws are commonly available for commuting inside the city.

Road

Chikodi is well connected by road by major State Highways which connect to National Highway 4. The State Highways passing through Chikodi are: SH 18 (Mudhol to Nipani), SH 12 (Vijayapur to Sankeshwar) and SH 78 (Ichalakaranji to Hattargi).

State Highway 12 has been declared as the National Highway which goes from Sankeshwar to Vijayapur via Gotur-Chikodi-Kagawad-Athani-Tikota.

NWKRTC runs buses from Chikodi to all corners of Karnataka as well as neighboring states. Rajahamsa and A/C Sleeper coach services to Bangalore daily.

There are many prominent private bus services like VRL, SRS, Manish, Shyamala and SEABIRD Travels from Chikodi to Bangalore daily night. Ganesh and Sugama Tourist which operates daily night from Chikodi to Kundapur, Udupi, Moodabidre and Mangalore.

Rail

The closest railway station is Chikodi Road Station located at a distance of about 20 km (near Kabbur). This station falls under South Western Railway Zone.

Air

The closest airports are Belgaum Airport and Kolhapur Airport located at a distance of about 70 km and 60 km respectively.

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Chikodi
  2. ↑ "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. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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