Latur

Latur
City

Marathwada Martyr Monument (Marathwada Hutatma Smarak), located in the city
Latur

Location in Maharashtra, India

Coordinates: 18°24′N 76°34′E / 18.40°N 76.56°E / 18.40; 76.56Coordinates: 18°24′N 76°34′E / 18.40°N 76.56°E / 18.40; 76.56
Country  India
State Maharashtra
Region Aurangabad division
District Latur
Settled Possibly 7th century AD
Named for Lattalura
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
 • Body Latur Municipal Corporation
 • Mayor Suresh Pawar
 • Municipal Commissioner G. Sreekant IAS
 • MLAs
 • Member of Parliament Dr. Sunil Gaikwad
Area[1]
 • Total 32.56 km2 (12.57 sq mi)
Area rank 23rd (Maharashtra)
120th (India)
Elevation 515 m (1,690 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 382,940[2]
Demonym(s) Laturkar
Languages
 • Official Marathi
 • Other Hindi, Urdu, Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN

  • 413 512
  • 413 531

Telephone code 91-2382
Vehicle registration MH-24 for Latur
Sex ratio 923.54 ♀/1000 ♂
Literacy 96.76
Distance from Mumbai 497 kilometres (309 mi) E (land)
Distance from Hyderabad 337 kilometres (209 mi) NW (land)
Distance from Aurangabad 294 kilometres (183 mi) SE (land)
Climate BSh (Köppen)
Precipitation 666 millimetres (26.2 in)
Avg. summer temperature 41 °C (106 °F)
Avg. winter temperature 13 °C (55 °F)

Latur, or Lattaluru, is a city in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Latur district and taluka. The city is a tourist hub surrounded by many historical monuments, including the Kharosa Caves.

History

Latur has an ancient history, which probably dates to the Rashtrakuta period. It was home to a branch of Rashtrakutas which ruled the Deccan from 753 to 973 AD. The first Rashtrakuta king, Dantidurga, was from Lattalur (Kannada: ಲಟ್ಟಲೂರು), probably the ancient name for Latur. Ratnapur is also mentioned as an historic name for Latur.[3]

The King Amoghavarsha of Rashtrakutas developed the Latur city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. The Rashtrakutas who succeeded the Chalukyas of Badami in 753 AD called themselves the residents of Lattalut.

It was, over the centuries, variously ruled by the Satavahanas, the Sakas, the Chalukyas, the Yadavas of Deogiri, the Delhi Sultans, the Bahamani rulers of South India, Adilshahi, and the Mughals.

Later in the 19th century, Latur became part of the Princely state of Hyderabad. In 1905 it was merged with surrounding areas and renamed Latur tehsil, becoming part of Osmanabad district. Before 1948, Latur was a part of Hyderabad State under Nizam. The chief of Nizam's Razakar army, Qasim Rizwi, was from Latur.

After Indian independence and the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, Osmanabad became part of Bombay Province. In 1960, with the creation of Maharashtra, Latur became one of its districts. On August 16, 1982, a separate Latur district was carved out of Osmanabad district.

Geography and climate

Latur
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.8
 
 
29
12
 
 
2.1
 
 
32
14
 
 
3.3
 
 
36
19
 
 
3.5
 
 
38
22
 
 
24
 
 
38
25
 
 
114
 
 
34
24
 
 
116
 
 
30
22
 
 
120
 
 
29
21
 
 
122
 
 
30
21
 
 
61
 
 
32
19
 
 
11
 
 
30
15
 
 
6.5
 
 
28
12
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: MSN Weather

Latur is situated 636 metres above mean sea level, on the Balaghat plateau, near the Maharashtra–Karnataka state boundary. It receives its drinking water from the nearby Manjira River, which suffered from environmental degradation and silting in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[4] As a result of this and lack of implementation of a water management strategy, during the drought of the 2010s the city ran out of water.[5][6]

Temperature : Annual temperatures in Latur range from 13 to 41 °C (55 to 106 °F), with the most comfortable time to visit in the winter, which is October to February. The highest temperature ever recorded was 45.6 °C (114.1 °F). The lowest recorded temperature was 2.2 °C (36.0 °F). In the cold season the district is sometimes affected by cold waves in association with the eastward passage of western disturbances across north India, when the minimum temperature may drop down to about 2 to 4 °C (36 to 39 °F).[7]

Rainfall : Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season from June to September. Rainfall varies from 9.0 to 693 mm/month. Average annual rainfall is 725 mm.

Latur earthquake of 1993

Latur had a devastating intraplate earthquake on 30 September 1993 resulting in a huge loss of life. The earthquake measured only 6.3 on the Richter magnitude scale but around 10,000 people were estimated to have died [8] and 30,000 injured mainly due to poor construction of houses and village huts made of stones which collapsed on people who were fast asleep in early morning hours. It struck southern Marathwada region of Maharashtra state in central-western part of India and affected Latur, Beed, Osmanabad and adjoining districts about 400 km south-east of Mumbai. Latur was almost completely destroyed and life came to a standstill. The earthquake's focus was around 12 km deep (relatively shallow), causing shock waves to cause more damage. The number of lives lost was high as the earthquake occurred at 3:53 a.m. local time, when people were fast asleep. After the earthquake, seismic zones were reclassified and building codes and standards were revised all over India.

Demographics

Latur's population, as of the 2011 census, is 382,940.[2]

Religions in Latur
Religion Percent
Hindus
  
 69%
Muslims
  
 19%
Buddhists
  
 8.6%
Christians
  
 1.4%
Jains
  
 1.7%
Others†
  
 0.3%
Distribution of religions
†Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Buddhists (<0.2%).

Administration and politics

Local administration

Latur earlier had a Municipal Council, which was established in 1952. Latur Municipal Corporation (LMC) is the local civil body. It is divided into five zones. the Municipal Corporation area is about 117.78 square kilometres (45.48 sq mi). It was elevated to the status of Municipal Corporation by the State Government in 2011.

The Urban Development Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra expressed its desire vide letter dated 30/10/2006 to notify fringe area of Latur and appoint CIDCO as its Special Planning Authority. CIDCO has submitted its proposal to notify the fringe area measuring approx. 26541.00 ha. inclusive of urbanisable zone of about 16696 ha. Govt. has appointed CIDCO as Special Planning Authority. The notified area covers 40 villages on the fringe of Latur Municipal Corporation. It is envisaged in the project not to acquire 100% land but to adopt minimum land acquisition model for development of infrastructure and growth corridors.

The city is divided in 70 electoral wards called as Prabhag and each ward is represented by a Corporator (called as Nagarsevak) elected by the people from each ward. LMC is responsible for providing basic amenities like drinking water, drainage facility,road,street lights, healthcare facilities, primary schools,etc. LMC collects its revenue from the urban taxes which are imposed on citizens. The administration is headed by the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation; an I.A.S. Officer, assisted by the other officers of different departments.

State and central administration

Keshavrao Sonawane, first minister from Latur constituency.

Latur contributes one seat to the Lok Sabha. The seat is currently held by Dr.Sunil Gaikawad, MP of the BJP. It also holds one seat for the Assembly - Latur Indian National Congress. In latest constituency arrangements made by Election Commission of India, Latur will contribute one Loksabha seat, and two state assembly seats, i.e. Latur City and Latur Rural.

Prominent politicians from Latur

Vilasrao Deshmukh

Latur is called the city of politicians. Keshavrao Sonawane was the first minister from Latur region who was in the cabinet of Maharashtra Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan and later in the cabinet of Vasantrao Naik, as Co-Operative minister, 1962-1967.[10] The city is the birthplace of other politicians, such as Shivraj Patil, Diliprao Deshmukh.
Vilasrao Deshmukh was born in Babhalgaon village, Latur. He served twice as Chief Minister of Maharashtra state, and twice as Union Cabinet minister.

Education and research

Latur has developed into an educational hub for secondary, higher secondary, and university education. The district is known in Maharashtra for its "Latur Pattern" of study, which involves intensive coaching given in the city. Students of junior colleges in Latur have a good record in taking competitive engineering and medical entrance exams.[11]

Basic and higher education

Public schools (known locally as municipality schools) are run by the LMC, and are affiliated with the MSBSHSE. Private schools are run by educational trusts or individuals. They are usually affiliated with either the state board or national education boards, such as the ICSE or CBSE boards.

University education

Due to more than 140 colleges, the city is known as an educational hub in Marathwada. Many of the students studying in the colleges and the University are from nearby districts. Most colleges in Latur are affiliated with the Nanded University.

The M. S. Bidve Engineering College, Latur, founded in 1983, is one of the oldest engineering colleges in Marathwada. The Maharashtra Institute of Medical Science & Research Latur was founded in 1988 by social activist Vishwanath Karad.

The Border Security Force Training Centre, Chakur, and the Disaster Management Training Institute were established in Latur in 2005 and 2008, respectively.

Dayanand Law College was established by the Dayanand Education Society. Established medical schools such as the Government Medical College, Manjara Ayurvedic College are present in the city.

Professional education

Latur is home to a branch of the Western India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, along with an exam centre, Information Technology training lab, reading room, and a library for Chartered Accountants as well as for students.

Trade and industries

The city is a major sugarcane and edible oils, soyabean, grapes and mango production centre. A fine blend of mango with locally grown mangoes was developed as Keshar Amba.

Till 1990, Latur languished as a city, remaining an industrially backward. In 1960, region of Marathwada was merged with Maharashtra. This was the time when the industrial development of the Marathwada region began, propelled through designated backward area benefits. And it was only when the MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) began acquiring land and setting up industrial estates that it began to grow. but still the majority small and medium scale industries are agriculture based and not industry based.

City is now home to some best known brands. There are Tinna Oils, Kirti Gold, Videocon, Kalantry Group's Agro Processing, Shivshankar Udyog (Brand: Silver Coins), dal manufacturing units to name a few. Many players have their manufacturing bases in Latur, in the sectors of Agro Processing and Edible Oils and consumer durables, plastic processing, aluminium processing, agriculture and biotech. Among Agro Processing Ramkee Infrastructure along with IL&FS would be starting their plant in Latur, which is Largest Agro Based SEZ in Maharashtra.

Latur has the largest trading centre for soyabean in India. The green city is inside what is called 'Sugar Belt' of Maharashtra. The district has more than eleven sugar factories, which makes it among the highest sugar-producing districts of India. It also has oil seeds, commodities and fruit market.

Latur is also known for high quality grapes and houses many state and privately owned cold storage facilities. A grape wine park spread over 1.42 square kilometres (350 acres) has been established near Ausa, 18 km from Latur city. A brand new Latur Food Park, spread across 1.2 square kilometres (300 acres) is under construction at Additional MIDC Latur. Latur is major transport junction to south India.

Latur sugar belt

The Latur region is known as the "Sugar Belt of India". This region houses over eleven large sugar factories. Most of the sugar factories of the Latur sugar belt work on the co-operative basis. Latur got its title "Sugar Belt of India" largely due to the efforts of its cooperative political leader Keshavrao Sonawane, who was instrumental in setting up several co-operative institutions in Latur, Osmanabad, and elsewhere in Maharashtra.

MIDC industrial areas in Latur

Specialised industrial parks and export zones in Latur

Chamber of Commerce and industry associations

Media and communication

Ritesh Deshmukh

Ritesh Deshmukh, son of Vilasrao Deshmukh, a prominent actor in Indian film industry is from Latur.

Newspapers: Lokmat, Sakal, and Ekmat are the most widely read Marathi newspapers in Latur. Bhukamp, Lokasha, Lokman, Marathwada Neta, Punyanagri, Rajdharma, Sanchar, Sarathi Samachar, Tarun Bharat, and Yashwant are some other Marathi daily newspapers available in Latur.

Radio: The city has been sanctioned a FM radio station - All India Radio. But Laturkars are still waiting for the same, as AIR has not yet started functioning in the City.

Transport

Road

Latur is connected by roads with various major cities of Maharashtra and other states. Road connectivity is excellent and road connecting to Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Aurangabad are being upgraded into four-lane highway. Latur city has one national highway running through it, NH 361.

Intercity

The scheme of nationalisation of passenger transport services was started as early as 1932 by the State of Hyderabad, which was one of the pioneers in the field of public road transport, first in collaboration with the railways and then as a separate Government Department. After the reorganisation of the Indian states and with an effective date from 1 July 1961, the Marathwada State Transport was amalgamated with the Bombay State Road Transport Corporation into the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.[12][13] The "Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation" (MSRTC)[14] and numerous other private bus operators provide a bus service to all parts of the state.

The "Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation" (MSRTC) and numerous other private bus operators provide a bus service to all parts of the state. Private buses have an established network to connect the city with all the major cities in Maharashtra and other states.

Intracity transport

"Latur Municipal Transport" (LMT) is an intra-city bus service which covers almost all parts of the city and also connects to the more distant industrial suburbs. LMT (Latur Municipal Transport) intra-city buses ply throughout the city including the outskirts and connect different parts of the city and adjoining suburbs together.

Air

Latur is served by Latur Airport, which is near Chincholiraowadi, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northwest of the city. The Airport facilities include aircraft fuelling, night landing with navigational aids, aircraft parking, CAT VII airport fire fighting and rescue service. A well equipped terminal building has VIP lounges, departure and arrival lounges, transit suites and snooze cabins, visitors' waiting area, and a cafeteria.

Rail

The Latur-Miraj Railway (metre gauge) runs for 391 miles (629 km) north-west from Latur city to Miraj on the south-western section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and was built between 1929 and 1931.

The station (code: LUR) is located on the Latur-Miraj section of the Solapur railway division of the Central Railway zone. The Manmad-Kacheguda broad-gauge railway line, which emanates from the Vikarabad-Latur-Road-Parli trunk route at Latur Road, is an important artery of traffic in Latur district. It also serves as a link between Aurangabad and Hyderabad.

Latur has rail connectivity with Manmad, Aurangabad, Nanded, Parbhani, Parli Vaijnath, Osmanabad, Mudkhed, Adilabad, Nagpur, Basar, Nizamabad, Nashik, Mumbai, Pune, and Kachiguda.

Places of interest

Geographical location

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Gazetteers Department - Latur" (in Marathi). Government of Maharashtra. 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 "City Census 2011". Indian Population Census 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Latur District Map: History of Latur". Maps of India. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "In dry Latur, villagers revive a dead river". The Times of India. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Latur Drinking Water Crisis highlights absence of Water Allocation Policy and Management". South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People. 20 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Gokhale, Nihar (8 September 2015). "Water supply once a month: lessons to be learnt from Latur". Catch News (Rajasthan Patrika Group). Archived from the original on 11 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Maharashtra government web site Archived 13 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ "The September 29, 1993, M6.4 Killari, Maharashtra Earthquake in Central India, EERI Newsletter, Vol. 28, No. 1, January 1994" (PDF). Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. ↑ Census of India cited by Planning Department, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Maharashtra. "Maharashtra At a Glance" (PDF). Economic Survey of Maharashtra, 2002–03 (in Marathi and English). Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2009.; see also "Economic Survey of Maharashtra, 2014–15" (PDF). Government of Maharashtra. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "अमित देशमुखांचे मंत्रिपद हुकले, फौजिया खान यांचे राज्यमंत्रिपद सुरक्षित" [Amit Deshmukh not picked for Cabinet, Fauzia Khan is Minister of State Security]. Divyamarathi.com (in Marathi). 30 May 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "What is Latur Pattern?". Mylaturpattern.com. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation".
  13. ↑ "MSRTC - Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation: History". Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016.
  14. ↑ "Latur Division". Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.
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