Balurghat is a city and a municipality in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the District Headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district. Balurghat has for long been known for its distinguished taste in culture, especially theatre. It is the birthplace of Natyacharya Manmatha Ray.
Geography
Location
Balurghat is at. It has an average elevation of 25 metres. The town covers 10.99 sq.km 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. In the map alongside, all places marked on the map are linked in the full screen version.
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
has its headquarters at Balurghat. The headquarters of Balurghat CD block is at Balurghat.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, 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. The town as well as the municipality is of 10.99 km2 area. India census, Balurghat municipal corporation 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.
Economics
Balurghat is a distribution centre in northern West Bengal. The main goods traded include rice, jute, sugar cane, fisheries and oilseeds.
Transport
is the terminus station of the Eklakhi–Balurghat branch line Trains connecting Balurghat to Kolkata directly include Gour 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 also connected to Malda through Balurghat-Malda Court Passenger Train. Indian National Highway 512 passes through Balurghat. At Balurghat, there is a Government bus and Public bus stand. Many buses are starts from Balurghat to Kolkata, Siliguri, Coochbehar, Kalna, Durgapur, Malda, Raiganj etc. Balurghat Airport is situated at the entrance of the town, at Mahinagar. 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.
Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Saraswati Puja, Biswakarma Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi and Saraswati puja are widely celebrated at Balurghat. Bolla Kali Puja is celebrated at Bolla, approximately 15 kilometres from Balurghat, in late November each year.
Healthcare
Balurghat General Hospital has 600 beds
Balurghat Police Hospital has 50 beds
Balurghat Poura Hospital and Matri Sadan has 32 beds