Ukhra

Ukhra উখড়া
Town
Ukhra Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Bardhaman
Population (2001)
• Total	19,868
Languages
• Official	Bengali, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Website	bardhaman.gov.in facebook.com/myukhra/

Ukhra is a Census Town under Andal Police Station of Durgapur Sub-Division in Bardhaman District in the Indian State of West Bengal.

Geography

The Asansol-Durgapur region is composed of undulating laterite soil. This area lies between the DAMODAR and the AJAY rivers which flow almost parallel to each other in the region. The average distance between the two rivers is around 30 km. For ages the area was heavily forested and infested with plunderers and marauders. The discovery of coal led to industrialization of the area and most of the forests have been cleared.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Ukhra Population Census 2011 Overview Ukhra is a Census Town city in district of Bardhaman, West Bengal. The Ukhra Census Town has population of 24,104 of which 12,500 are males while 11,604 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 2489 which is 10.33% of total population of Ukhra (CT). In Ukhra Census Town, Female Sex Ratio is of 928 against state average of 950. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Ukhra is around 941 compared to West Bengal state average of 956. Literacy rate of Ukhra city is 81.38% higher than state average of 76.26%. In Ukhra, Male literacy is around 87.81% while female literacy rate is 74.44%.

Ukhra Census Town has total administration over 5,222 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Census Town limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

Caste Factor Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 24.46% while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 1.36% of total population in Ukhra (CT). Work Profile Out of total population, 8,362 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 6,953 were males while 1,409 were females. In census survey, worker is defined as person who does business, job, service, and cultivator and labour activity. Of total 8362 working population, 74.22% were engaged in Main Work while 25.78% of total workers were engaged in Marginal Work.

Ukhra Religion Data 2011

 Town       Ukhra

Population 24104

 Hindu               90.61%
Muslim               8.52%

Christian -

  Sikh                  0.63%

Buddhist -

   Jain                    -
Others                0.23%

Not Stated -

Ukhra Ward No 1

Economy

Like most small towns Ukhra census town varies from BPL to crorepaties. However the average income group of the people varies between middle-class & lower middle-class. Shockingly the per-capita income of Ukhra is higher than the national average. The primary occupation of a section of people is agriculture. However industries heavily contributes to the economy. Coal India Ltd. is responsible for the immense change in the economic demography of Ukhra. It is in the heart of the coal mining zone. Ukhra falls under Raniganj Coalfield, the 2nd largest coalfield in the country after Jharia (Jharkhand). Eastern Coalfields Ltd (a subsidiary of Coal India) has large number of underground & open cast mines surrounding Ukhra, providing employment to a huge section of people.

Ukhra has grown itself into a potential market. The market in Ukhra is quiet huge. Ukhra market is efficiently satisfying the demands of the people of surrounding areas (as Kumardihi, Nabagram, Sorpi, Bankola, Bonbohal, Sankarpur, Khandra, Siduli, Moira, Dakshinkhanda & Mukundapur). Prominent market places are located at Bajpayee More, M.G Road, Sankarpur More, N.S.B Road, Rathtala Road, Puratan Hattola, Ananda more, Bankola Road. All products of almost every Brand are available. Ukhra has Electronic & Bike Showrooms of all Companies. Ukhra roads has turned into a busy place owing to its market. The market remains closed at every Friday. Ukhra also has its own Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club & Ukhra SriRamakrishna Sevashram.

Ukhra's potential is also unveiled to the Postal, Banking & Insurance industry. Ukhra has several Public & Private sector as 7-Banks & 12-ATMs, as State Bank of India (with 2-ATMs), Bank of India (with 2-ATMs), Punjab National Bank (with 2-ATMs), Allahabad Bank (with 1-ATM), Oriental Bank of Commerce (with 1-ATM), Uco Bank (1-ATM & 1 COIN Vending Machine), United Bank of India (ATMservice only), AXIS BANK (Running 2-ATMs, first ATM Launcher at UKHRA since 2004) & The Burdwan Central Co-Operative Bank Ltd. Most important point for economy of Ukhra that all 12-ATMs, 7-banks & 2-post offices (Natun-Hattala & Puratan Hattala) are within a 1 km radius.

After announcement of financial inclusion by Govt of India several Public & Private sector Banks & Insurance companies are setting up their branches in Ukhra. It's a great remarkable report in our Banking Industry that all Banks in Ukhra have achieving their target year by year.

Life Insurance Corporation of India & front-line multinational company ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has its branch in Ukhra.

A mini Commercial Hub is in the making in Station Road. It will house 2 Public Sector Banks, 2 insurance companies & residential flats on its back side.

Festivals

Ukhra census town is also famous for its festival. What ever festive season may be, no one can match the enthuism of Ukhra people. If taken the reference of Bengali calendar the 1st festival is 'Poila Baisakh' or the Bengali new year, Rabindra-Jayanti. Ukhra observes Rathyatra which is very famous. Ukhra is one of the few places in India which have a Rath. The Jhulan-Yatra of Sri Krishna(Gopinath-Jeu) is celebrated very fondly. The Jhulan Mela of Ukhra is very famous. However Ukhra is slowly losing its traditional charm. The national festivals of Bengalis - Durga & Kali puja is yet another thing to watch. Ukhra has large number of Durga temples. Mukherjee Bari, Chatterjee bari, Dhibar Para, Kamar Para, Suko Para, Chandi Bari are some of those. All of these having a history of over 100 years. The Durga idols are incarnated in Suko Lake. Raban Badh is observed in Dushera. Sanyasi-Kali-Tala, Notun-Sanyasi, Panch-Kali-Tala, Patal Bhairabi, Vayankari Tala are some of the Kali temples. However these temples are located in interior Ukhra. The Ukhra Bazar organize huge number of pandals in Durga puja, Kali puja & Saraswati puja. Some of them are Sarada-Pally, Subhas-Para, Jagriti-Sanga, Krishnachura-Pally, etc. All of them have shown their mettle by acquiring prizes every year. Several cultural programmes are also organised by club committees. Apart from Bengali popular festivals Diwali, Raksha-Bandhan, Chath-Puja are also celebrated very fondly in Ukhra. Ukhra has also dominance of minorities festivals such as Gurunanak-Jayanti & Id. The town gets wrapped itself with people preparing with their festivals. The climate of the town gets festive during such occasions.

Transport

Ukhra is 12 km from Andal on the Andal-Sainthia Branch Line of Eastern Railway.

Several trains including Howrah-Rampurhat Mayurakhi Fast Passenger, Howrah-Suri Hool Express have scheduled stoppages at Ukhra station. The Andal-Santhia DMU runs through Ukhra every hour. Recently Ukhra Railway Station witnessed massive renovation. With number of current & reservation counters increased to 3, the commuters are hopeful to get advantage from it. Ukhra Railway Station has also a big shedding yard for coal transportation.Sale of tickets (Daily & Reservations ) are gradually improving at Ukhra Station. If Administration (DRM/Asansol or HR/Kolkata ) give some importance to Ukhra it can miracle.

The major transport is provided by mini buses which ply between 4.30a.m. to 8 p.m. Ukhra is well connected by road to nearby cities, Durgapur, Asansol, Raniganj, Andal with buses at an interval of every 5 minutes. Long distance Super buses to district capital Bardhaman which passes through M.G. Road,Ukhra have scheduled stopages. Ukhra has two major bus stand at Bajpayee more & Shankarpur more respectively. A new bus depot at Ananda more is already developed but yet to open. Ukhra railway station is located on the Andal-Sainthia railway line. Earlier only diesel locomotives were used but after electrification of the railway route(2007–08), electric locomotives came into picture.

Ukhra is also connected by air-route. Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport( IATA:RDP, ICAO:VEDG), a project under Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited(BAPL), is a domestic airport located at Andal, Bardhaman West Bengal of India. The airport is roughly 8 km (20 mins) from Ukhra. It is part of the country's first private sector Aerotropolis, being developed by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL). The airport was officially inaugurated on 19 September 2013, services opened from 12 May 2015.

Sports & Education

Ukhra has large number of Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary Govt Schools including Ukhra Kunja Behari Institution, Assembly of God Church School(www.facebook.com/agcsukh)(agukhra.org), Ukhra Adarsh Hindi High School, P.G Balika Vidyamandir , Ukhra Kunja Behari High School. There is also an Islamic Education Institution "Madrasa Islahul Muslim" and Urdu Govt. School Gulzrbagh Urdu Free Primary School. Nearest college is KHANDRA College, affiliated under UGC.

Ukhra also houses numerous private primary & secondary schools. Like Mother Mission School, City mission, Oxford mission, Children's Academy, Centre Point, North Point, Little Flower, Ukhra Model School and many more. Some of them are CBSE & some ICSE affiliated. Ukhra also have various vocational institutions which provides Govt approved sources. Ukhra has large no. of Govt & Private computer schools. Like Ukhra Youth computer, Rajiv Gandhi computer, Disha Computer, Digitech Computer. Rabindra Open University has also its center in Ukhra. Dhyan Coaching Center is a new academy which provides preparation of govt exams. Private tuition is also available.

Ukhra-Nababbharati-Sangha Pathagar (Rural Library) are newly decorated & updated.

Ukhra also witnesses several cultural academy throughout the year. Ukhra also has a Community-Hall which hosts various cultural Programmes. Ukhra has various Dance & Drawing schools who participates in cultural programmes ( Netaji Sporting Club, Ekta Club etc. ). Coalfield Dance school is one such dance academy.

Ukhra also observes several sports & cultural activities. In January a cricket tournament is organised by Ukhra Games & Culture Association at Ukhra Sports Ground popularly known as Bibir-Bandh ground. A football tournament is organised at Ukhra Junior School ground. Both tournaments attract teams from distant places to participate. Several cricket coaching academy also provides coaching.

Politics

As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, Ukhra (Bidhan Sabha Constituency) has ceased to be an assembly constituency from 2011. Andal Community Development Block is part of Raniganj Assembly Constituency. Ukhra is under Andal Police Station and lies under East Zone of newly formed ASANSOL DURGAPUR POLICE COMMISIONERATE.

Ukhra Gram Panchayat is now under Trinamul Congress led board, headed by its Pradhan Dayamoy Singha and Sushila Bauri as Up-Pradhan with a total 18 members of Trinamul Congress out of 22 total members of the Panchayat in 2013.

Recent developments

Ukhra recently is witnessing some huge developments in its economy & infrastructure. The town is developing day by day. Old roads are now turned asphalt & concrete roads with night lights. Drainage & sewage facilities are also getting importance. Private promoters are becoming interested in building flats. Owing to upgradation of coal mines the market is getting more wealthy. Andal Aetropolis has infused huge boost in the nearby economy. With the economy & market expanding, large number of Govt & Private sector Banks, Insurance, Micro finance are turning towards Ukhra. New water supply project is announced by new TMC Govt.

However, there are certain long pending problems persisting in Ukhra. Ukhra needs to upgraded from Panchayat to Municipal Board. Several long distance Trains should give its stoppages immediately. Water scarcity problem needs to be addressed. Ukhra should have its separate Police Station, Block Office & Fire Brigade Station. Ukhra people have demanded for these amenities for very long.

External links

• Map of Bardhaman district
• Official Facebook page