Barasat Sadar subdivision is an administrative subdivision of the North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. After transferring Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality and Rajarhat (Community development block) to Bidhannagar subdivision, Barasat Sadar subdivision's total area became 894.61 km2 (345.41 sq mi), population became 2,196,874 (2011 Census) and density became 2,500/km2 (6,400/sq mi).

History

In 1757, the East India Company obtained the zamindari or land-holders rights of the 24 Parganas Zamindari from Mir Jafar, the new Nawab of Bengal. Full proprietary status was handed over to Robert Clive in 1759 by a sanad or deed granting him the 24 Parganas as a jagir. After Clive's death in 1774, full proprietary rights of the 24 Parganas zamindari reverted to the East India Company. In 1814, the district consisted of two parts – the suburbs of Kolkata (referred to as Dihi Panchannagram) and the rest. In 1834, several parganas of Jessore and Nadia were added to the 24 Parganas. The district was divided into two divisions. The Alipore division comprised territories originally ceded to the company and the Barasat division comprised territories added from Jessore and Nadia. The two divisions were replaced by eight subdivisions in 1861 – Diamond Harbour, Baruipur, Alipore, Dum Dum, Barrackpore, Barasat, Basirhat and Satkhira. The Satkhira subdivision was transferred to the newly formed Khulna district in 1882, the Baruipur subdivision was abolished in 1883 and the Dum Dum and Barrackpore subdivisions were abolished in 1893. Barrackpore subdivision was reconstituted in 1904 with portions of Barasat and Alipore subdivisions. In 2015, Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality and Mahisbathan II gram panchayat were merged with the new-formed Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Subsequently Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality and Rajarhat (Community development block) were transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision and thus the area of Barasat Sadar subdivision is reduced.

Geography

Some areas of Barasat Sadar subdivision are part of the North Hooghly Flat and other areas are part of the North Bidyadhari Plain, two of the three physiographic regions in the district located in the lower Ganges Delta. The country is flat. It is a little raised above flood level and the highest ground borders the river channels. The sturdy peasants raise crops of rice, jute and sugarcane from the alluvial soil. There are clumps of palm and fruit trees in which village homesteads nestle.

Subdivisions

North 24 Parganas district is divided into the following administrative subdivisions:

Religion

Given below is an overview of the religion-wise break-up of the population across the subdivisions of North 24 Parganas district, as per 2011 census: North 24 Parganas district with 24.22% Muslims (in 2001) has been identified as a minority concentrated district by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. A baseline survey on religious minority population has been carried out under the aegis of Indian Council of Social Science Research and funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. For information on the survey see North 24 Parganas: minority concentrated district.

Population movement

North 24 Parganas district is densely populated, mainly because of the influx of refugees from East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). With a density of population of 2,182 per km2 in 1971, it was 3rd in terms of density per km2 in West Bengal after Kolkata and Howrah, and 20th in India. According to the District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas, "High density is also explained partly by the rapid growth of urbanization in the district. In 1991, the percentage of urban population in the district has been 51.23." As per the Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Department of the Government of West Bengal, the census figures show the number of refugees from East Pakistan in 1971 was nearly 6 million (60 lakhs) and in 1981, the number was assessed at 8 million (80 lakhs). A district-wise break-up in 1971, shows the main thrust of the refugee influx was on 24-Parganas (22.3% of the total refugees), Nadia (20.3%), Bankura (19.1%) and Kolkata (12.9%). The North 24 Paraganas district has a 352 km long international border with Bangladesh, out of which 160 km is land border and 192 km is riverine border. Only a small portion of the border has been fenced and it is popularly referred to as a porous border. There are reports of Bangladeshi infiltrators. The CD Block pages carry Decadal Population Growth information. An estimate made in 2000 places the total number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India at 1.5 crore, with around 3 lakh entering every year. The thumb rule for such illegal immigrants is that for each illegal person caught four get through. While many immigrants have settled in the border areas, some have moved on, even to far way places such as Mumbai and Delhi. The border is guarded by the Border Security Force. During the UPA government, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, had made a statement in Parliament on 14 July 2004, that there were 12 million illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators living in India, and West Bengal topped the list with 5.7 million Bangladeshis. More recently, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs in the NDA government has put the figure at around 20 million.

Administrative units

Barasat Sadar subdivision has 13 police stations (now 9), 7 community development blocks (now 6), 7 panchayat samitis (now 6), 58 gram panchayats (now 52), 523 mouzas, 493 inhabited villages, 6 municipalities (now 5) and 34 census towns (now 25). The municipalities are at Barasat, Habra, Gobardanga, Ashoknagar Kalyangarh, Madhyamgram and Rajarhat-Gopalpur (made part of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in 2015 and also transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision). The census towns are: Nokpul, Maslandapur, Sadpur, Betpuli, Anarbaria, Purba Narayanpur, Guma, Bara Bamonia, Khordabamonia, Bira, Dhania, Kokapur, Shibalaya, Gangapur, Chandrapur, Nebadhai Duttapukur, Chatta Baria, Joypul, Digha, Kulberia, Bamangachhi, Chak Barbaria, Koyra, Deara, Deulia, Raigachhi1, Rekjuani1, Bhatenda1, Basina1, Bishnupur1, Chandpur Champagachhi1, Jatragachhi1, Ghuni1 and Sulangari1. The subdivision has its headquarters at Barasat. Note 1: In 2015, these 9 census towns were transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision.

Kolkata Urban Agglomeration

The following Municipalities and Census Towns in Barasat Sadar subdivision were part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in the 2011 census: Barasat (M), Madhyamgram (M), Rajarhat-Gopalpur (M) (made part of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in 2015 and also transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision) and Raigachhi (CT) (transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision in 2015).

Police stations

Police stations in Barasat Sadar subdivision have the following features and jurisdiction:

Blocks

Community development blocks in Barasat Sadar subdivision are: Note 1: In 2015, Rajarhat (community development block) was transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision.

Gram panchayats

The subdivision contains 58 (now 52) gram panchayats under 7 (now 6) community development blocks: Note 1: In 2015, this CD Block was completely transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision.

Municipal towns/ cities

An overview of the municipal towns and cities in Barasat Sadar subdivision is given below. Note 1: Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation was formed in 2015 and Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality has been part of it and also transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision.

Education

North 24 Parganas district had a literacy rate of 84.06% (for population of 7 years and above), as per the 2011 census. Bangaon subdivision had a literacy rate of 80.57%, Barasat Sadar subdivision 84.90%, Barrackpur subdivision 89.09%, Bidhannagar subdivision 89.16% and Basirhat subdivision 75.67%. Given in the table below (data in numbers) is a comprehensive picture of the education scenario in North 24 Parganas district for the year 2012-13: Note: Primary schools include junior basic schools; middle schools, high schools and higher secondary schools include madrasahs; technical schools include junior technical schools, junior government polytechnics, industrial technical institutes, industrial training centres, nursing training institutes etc.; technical and professional colleges include engineering colleges, medical colleges, para-medical institutes, management colleges, teachers training and nursing training colleges, law colleges, art colleges, music colleges etc. Special and non-formal education centres include sishu siksha kendras, madhyamik siksha kendras, centres of Rabindra mukta vidyalaya, recognised Sanskrit tols, institutions for the blind and other handicapped persons, Anganwadi centres, reformatory schools etc. The following institutes are located in Barasat Sadar subdivision: Note 1: Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation was formed in 2015 and Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality has been part of it and also transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision. Hence all the educational institutions in Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality are now in Bidhannagar subdivision, not in Barasat Sadar Subdivision.

Healthcare

The table below (all data in numbers) presents an overview of the medical facilities available and patients treated in the hospitals, health centres and sub-centres in 2013 in North 24 Parganas district. .* Excluding nursing homes. **Subdivision-wise break up for certain items not available. Medical facilities available in Barasat Sadar subdivision are as follows: Hospitals: (Name, location, beds) District Hospital, Barasat, 500 beds District Jail Hospital, Barasat, 15 beds Ashoknagar State General Hospital, Ashoknagar, 50 beds Habra State General Hospital, Habra, 131 beds NSC Bose Specialised Hospital, Madhyamgram, 60 beds Vidyasagar Matri Sadan, Rajarhat, 20 beds1 Jyangra CH Care Hospital, Baguiati1 Rural Hospitals: (Name, block, location, beds) Madhyamgram Rural Hospital, Madhyamgram, 30 beds Maslandapur Rural Hospital, Maslandapur, 30 beds Sabdalpur Rural Hospital, Sabdalpur, 30 beds Amdanga Rural Hospital, Amdanga, 30 beds Biswanathpur Rural Hospital, Deganga, 30 beds Rekjoani Rural Hospital, Rajarhat, 30 beds Block Primary Health Centres: (Name, block, location, beds) Chhota Jagulia BPHC, Chhota Jagulia, 15 beds Primary Health Centres: (CD Block-wise)(CD Block, PHC location, beds) Habra I CD Block: Rautara PHC (10) Habra II CD Block: Pukurkona PHC, Bira Ballabhpur (10), Pumlia PHC, Sendanga (6) Barasat I CD Block: Kadambagachi PHC (10), Duttapukur PHC (6) Barasat II CD Block: Mitpukuria PHC, Shasan (10), Bagband Siberia (Kemia Kamarpara) PHC, Kirtipur (6) Amdanga CD Block: Adhata-Joypur PHC, Adhata (6), Marich PHC, Masunda (10), Baraberia PHC (6) Deganga CD Block: Hadipur-Jhikra PHC, Ajinagar (6), Raypur Chakla PHC, Chakla (10), Kolsur PHC, Deganga (10), Kartickpur (6) Rajarhat CD Block: Chandpur PHC (Arbelia), Badu (10), Patharghata PHC(10) Private Medical Facilities (Name, location, speciality) Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, 78, Jessore Road (South), Barasat (arthroscopy, gastroenterology, joint replacement surgery, nephrology, ophthalmology, urology etc.) Suraksha The Barasat Clinic, 83/10 Jessore Road (South), Anima Apartment, Dak Bungalow Morh (cardiology, diabetology, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, diabetology etc.) Care & Cure Hospital, Nabapally, SN Road, Barasat (cardiology, orthopaedic, gynecology etc.) Tata Medical Centre, New Town, 14 Mar (E-W), Rajarhat (oncology etc.)1 Sight N Smile Multispeciality Eye & Dental Care Centre, Suraj Apartment, 1st Floor, Rajarhat, Mahisgot, HDFC Bank Building, Opp DLF 1, Newtown (ophthalmology, dentistry, cardiology, orthopaedics etc.)1 Teeth Care Multispeciality Dental Clinic, B1, New Town Metro Plaza, Aatghara-Rajarhat Road, Ataghara Petrol Pump-Chinar Park Morh, Rajarhat1 Health ETC., Hatiara Road, Rajarhat, Jyangra (cardiology, general medicine etc.)1 Sparsha Infertility Centre, Station Road, Purbalaya, South Bankimpally, Madhyamgram (IVF, IUI, ICSI, Gynaecology, Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy etc.) Spectra Eye Hospital, 108, Jessore Rd, Chowmatha, Vivekananda Nagar, Madhyamgram, (Low Vision, Prosthetic Eyes Vision Therapy, Cataract, Cornea, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Advanced Retina, Glaucoma etc.) Note 1: Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation was formed in 2015 and Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality has been part of it and also transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision. Hence all the hospitals in Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality are now in Bidhannagar subdivision, not in Barasat Sadar Subdivision.

Electoral constituencies

Lok Sabha (parliamentary) and Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) constituencies in Barasat subdivision were as follows: Note 1: In 2015, these Vidhan Sabha Constituencies were transferred to Bidhannagar subdivision.