Balurghat (pron:bʌlʊəˈgɑ:t) is a city and a municipality in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the district headquarter of the Dakshin Dinajpur district. It is one of the major cities connected through National Highway 512. Atrai River flows through the city.

Geography

In the map alongside, all places marked on the map are linked in the full screen version.

Location

Balurghat is at 25.22°N, 88.77°W. It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet). The town covers 10.76 km2 of area. River Atreyee runs across the city, dividing it into disproportionate halves. The heart of the city, with important administrative, cultural and entertainment hubs, is on the eastern bank of the river. India-Bangladesh border is approximately 3 km from the town.

Police stations

Balurghat police station under West Bengal police has jurisdiction over Balurghat municipal area and Balurghat CD Block. Balurghat Women police station has jurisdiction over Balurghat subdivision.

Subdivision and CD block HQ

Balurghat subdivision has its headquarters at Balurghat. The headquarters of Balurghat CD block is at Balurghat.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Balurghat municipality had a population of 153279, of which 76730 were males and 76549 were females. The Balurghat urban agglomeration had a population of 164,593, out of which 82,466 were males and 82,127 were females. The 0–6 years population was 10,349. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 91.66 per cent. India census, Balurghat municipality had a population of 151,416, of which 75,794 were males and 75,622 were females. Balurghat has an average literacy rate of 84.8%, with 87% of the males and 82.5% of females literate. Population in the age range of 0 to 6 years is 10,677. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have a population of 15,204 and 3,008 respectively. Balurghat had 37507 households in 2011. 98.7% of the population are Hindus, with small percentages (below 1%) of Muslims and Sikhs.

Economics

Balurghat is a distribution centre in northern West Bengal. The main goods traded include rice, jute, sugar cane, fisheries and oilseeds.

Transport

Railway

Balurghat Railway Station is the terminus station of the Eklakhi–Balurghat branch line Trains connecting Balurghat to Kolkata directly include Sealdah Balurghat express, Tebhaga Express and Howrah–Balurghat Bi-Weekly Express. Train services also connect Balurghat to Siliguri in the north through Balurghat-Siliguri Intercity Express. Balurghat is also connected to Malda through Balurghat-Malda Court Passenger Train. Besides, Balurghat-Nabadwip Dham Express connects Nabadwip with Balurghat.

Highways

Indian National Highway 512 passes through Balurghat (from Gazole To Hili). At Balurghat, there is a Government bus and a separate private bus stand. The NBSTC(Major Service Provider),SBSTC(Limited Service Provider) and WBTC(Only between Kolkata & Balurghat) are the government bus service provides majority of bus rides to distant places. Many buses (both Government and private) run from Balurghat to Kolkata, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Kalna, Durgapur, Malda, and Raiganj.

Airways

Balurghat Airport is situated at the entrance of the town, at Mahinagar, although the airport is not operating right now due to construction and executive issues. A Kolkata-Malda-Balurghat-Coochbehar flight service has been planned for this airport. Previously, there was a Kolkata-Malda-Balurghat helicopter service for some years.

Education

Balurghat

Colleges

Universities

Festivals

Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Rath Yatra, Biswakarma Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi and Saraswati puja are widely celebrated at Balurghat. Bolla Kali Puja is celebrated at Bolla, approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Balurghat, in November each year.

Sports

Balurghat is also home to district's 1st ever stadium to host the top tier national level cricket match like a Ranji Trophy Match. Balurghat Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium used for sports like cricket and football. An indoor sports complex in Balurghat is also in under construction.

Healthcare

Notable people