West Godavari district

West Godavari district
District of Andhra Pradesh
Clockwise from top-left: Paddy fields near Bhimavaram, Rachuru village, Ramalingeshwaraswamy Temple in Ksheerarama, Godavari at Achanta, Someshwara Swamy Temple
Interactive map outlining district
Coordinates: 16°07′N 81°01′E
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Region	Coastal Andhra
Headquarters	Bhimavaram
Mandals	20
Government
• District collector	Shri. Naga Rani (IAS Collector & District Magistrate)
• Lok Sabha constituencies	Narsapuram
• MP	Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma
• Assembly constituencies	07
Area
• Total	2,278 km2 (880 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	1,844,898
• Density	810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
• Urban	468,924
Demographics
• Literacy	74.63%
• Sex ratio	1004
PIN	534201
Vehicle registration	AP-37 (former) AP–39 (from 30 January 2019)
Major highways	NH-16,NH-165, NH-216, NH-216A, NH-365BB, NH-516D, NH-516E
Website	westgodavari.ap.gov.in

The West Godavari district is a coastal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with an administrative headquarters in Bhimavaram. As of the 2011 Census of India, the district has an area of 2,178 km² (841 sq mi) and a population of 1,779,935. It is bounded by the Krishna district and Bay of Bengal to the south, East Godavari district to the east, and Eluru district, Kolleru Lake and Upputeru Drain to the northwest.

History

The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra Pradesh from 700 to 1200 CE, with their capital in Vengi. Historical evidence of their rule has been found in the nearby villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471 CE before conquest by the Gajapati Empire. In 1515 CE, Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was ruled by the Qutb Shahi Dynasty's Sultans of Golkonda. On 15 April 1925, the West Godavari District was formed with Bhimavaram as its headquarters, and all of the district offices and regional offices were centralised in Eluru.

During the Madras Presidency in 1823, the District of Rajahmundry was created. It was reorganised in 1859 and bifurcated into the Godavari and Krishna districts. During British rule, Rajahmundry was the headquarters of Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into the East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925. When the Godavari district was divided, Kakinada became the headquarters of East Godavari and Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari. After the 4 April 2022 bifurcation for a separate Eluru district, Bhimavaram became the new headquarters of the West Godavari district.

old West Godavari revenue divisions map

Geography

The district occupies an area of 7,742 km² (2,989 sq mi). The district is bounded by the East Godavari district on the North, Eluru district on the Northwest, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on the Southeast, Krishna district on the Southwest. and Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River flows on the east, while the Tammileru River and Kolleru Lake separate it from the Krishna district on the west.

Rivers and topography

West Godavari is a flat region with a slightly slope along the rivers flowing eastward. The three rivers cutting through the district are the Godavari (after which the district is named), the Yerrakaluva, and the Tammileru. Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Eluru Canal, Vijayarai Anicut, Tammileru, Jalleru, and the Yerrakaluva reservoirs are the major sources of irrigation.

Climate

The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry, while the winters are much cooler. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 40 °C during the day. The rainy season (July–December) is considered the best time for tourist visits, as the fields are bright green with paddy crops, rivers are flowing with monsoon water, and climate is relatively cool. There are several large mensions scattered around the Godavari area that once belonged to zamindars.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1901	919,234	—
1911	1,046,050	+1.30%
1921	1,118,436	+0.67%
1931	1,298,758	+1.51%
1941	1,465,111	+1.21%
1951	1,697,727	+1.48%
1961	1,978,257	+1.54%
1971	2,374,306	+1.84%
1981	2,873,958	+1.93%
1991	3,517,568	+2.04%
2001	3,803,517	+0.78%
2011	3,936,966	+0.35%
source:

As of the 2011 Census of India, the West Godavari district has a population of 3,936,966 with 1,091,525 households, which is the 11th most populous district in the state. The district's population is approximately equal to the population of Croatia and the American state of Oklahoma.

In Andhra Pradesh, the West Godavari district is the 19th largest in terms of area with an area of 7,742 km² (2,989 sq mi) (before bifurcation) and has a population density of 509/km² (1,320/sq mi), which is the fourth-most densely populated district in the state. Its population growth rate between 2001–2011 was 3.45%. West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males and stands at the eighth position. It has the highest literacy rate among all Andhra Pradesh districts with 26,52,389 (74.63%) literate residents. 20.6% of the district's population lives in urban areas.

Religions in West Godavari district (2011)
Religion			Percent
Hindus			94.47%
Christians			3.83%
Muslims			1.49%
Other or not stated			0.21%
Distribution of religions

After bifurcation, the district had a population of 1,779,935, with a sex ratio of 1002 females to 1000 males. 468,924 (26.35%) of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 289,195 (16.25%) and 15,670 (0.88%) of the population respectively. Telugu was the predominant language, spoken by 98.67% of the population.

Economy

The gross district domestic product is ₹45,963 crore (US$5.5 billion) and it contributes 8.8% to the gross state domestic product. For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was ₹86,974 (US$1,000).

Paddy, banana, sugarcane, and coconut are the main agricultural products cultivated in the district. The agriculture sector contributes ₹18,385 crore (US$2.2 billion), industries contribute ₹7,086 crore (US$850 million), and services contribute ₹20,491 crore (US$2.5 billion) to the gross district domestic product. The major products contributing to the gross value added of the district from agriculture and allied services are the previously listed agricultural products, as well as milk, meat, and fisheries. The gross value added to the industrial and service sector is contributed from construction, electricity, manufacturing, unorganised trade, and transport.

Cashew nut, mango and tobacco are other important produce from the district. Shrimp production is also a main activity along with fish farming. The woolen pile carpet industry in Eluru produces eco-friendly carpets from exported wool.

Culture

Telugu is the most widely spoken language. The Vedas, which have oral heritage recognition by UNESCO, are taught at the Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala of the district's Bhimavaram village. The district is well known for its wool-pile carpets and hand woven products.

Tourism and landmarks

Eluru is the largest city of the district with many destinations having Buddhists and archeological importance, such as the Guntupalli Caves, one of the top 30 Indian heritage sites, near the city. Eluru hosts a 74-foot high Buddha statue in the heart of the city.

Some of the religious destinations include Dwaraka Tirumala, known by the name of Chinna Tirumala, Veerabhadra Temple, Pattiseema, and Pancharama Kshetras of Palakollu and Bhimavaram. Other tourist destinations of importance are Perupalem Beach at Narasapuram, the Kolleru Lake (the largest fresh water lake in the country and a bird sanctuary), Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, and Havelock Bridge. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen on developing Rajahmundry Airport as an international airport to boost tourism, including helicopter tours over the Godavari districts. The Polavaram Project irrigation system is expected to become another tourist attraction for the district.

Culture and traditions at Kalavalapalli village in West Godavari district

Parliament Segment

Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)

Assembly Segments

Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency presently comprises the following Legislative Assembly segments:

Constituency number	Name	Reserved for (SC/ST/None)	Parliament
56	Achanta	None	Narasapuram
57	Palakollu	None
58	Narasapuram	None
59	Bhimavaram	None
60	Undi	None
61	Tanuku	None
62	Tadepalligudem	None

Administrative divisions

See also: List of revenue divisions in Andhra Pradesh and List of mandals in Andhra Pradesh

Satellite view of West Godavari District Mandals

The new West Godavari district has three revenue divisions in Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem and Narasapuram . These revenue divisions divide the district into 20 mandals. These 20 mandals consists of 296 Revenue villages, 6 municipalities (Narasapuram, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, and Bhimavaram, Akiveedu.

1. Bhimavaram revenue division
   1. Bhimavaram
   2. Veeravasaram
   3. Palakoderu
   4. Kalla
   5. Undi
   6. Akiveedu
   7. Ganapavaram
2. Narasapuram revenue division
   1. Naraspuram
   2. Penugonda
   3. Palakollu
   4. Poduru
   5. Achanta
   6. Yelamanchili
   7. Mogalthur
   8. Penumantra
3. Tadepalligudem revenue division
   1. Tadepalligudem
   2. Pentapadu
   3. Attili
   4. Iragavaram
   5. Tanuku

Erstwhile Talukas

Before the formation of mandals, the district was administered through a system of talukas. In 1978, the number of talukas in the West Godavari district increased from 8 to 19. In 1985, the 19 talukas were divided into 46 mandals.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, merged two mandals from Telangana into the West Godavari District for unified governance over the Polavaram Project, increasing the total mandals to 48.

Erstwhile talukas

S.No.	Erstwhile Talukas in 1971	New Talukas Formed in 1985	New Mandals Formed in 1985
1	Eluru	Eluru	Eluru, Pedapadu, Pedavegi,
		Bhimadole [9]	Bhimadole, Dwaraka Tirumala, Denduluru,
2	Chintalapudi	Chintalapudi	Chintalapudi, T.Narsapuram, Lingapuram, Kamavarapukota,
3	Polavaram	Polavaram	Polavaram, Buttayagudem, jeelugumilli, Koyyalagudem [part], Jangareddygudem [part]
4	Kovvur	Kovvur	Kovvur, Devarapalli, Chagallu, Nidadavole
		Gopalapuram [10]	Gopalapuram, Tallapudi, Koyyalagudem [part], Jangareddygudem [part],
5	Tadepalligudem	Tadepalligudem	Tadepalligudem, Nallajerla, Unguturu [part]
		Ganapavaram [11]	Ganapavaram, Unguturu [part], Nidamarru, Pentapadu,
6	Tanuku	Tanuku	Tanuku, Undrajavaram, Peravali,
		Penumantra [12]	Penumantra, Penugonda, Atili, Iragavaram,
7	Narsapuram	Narsapuram	Narsapuram, Mogalthooru, Yelamanchili,
		Poduru [13]	Poduru, Palakollu, Achanta,
8	Bhimavaram	Bhimavaram	Bhimavaram, Palakoderu, Veeravasaram,
		Akiveedu [14]	Akiveedu, Undi, Kalla

Cities and towns

Largest cities or towns in West Godavari District As per the 2011 Census
	Rank		Division	Pop.
Bhimavaram	1	Bhimavaram	Bhimavaram Division	146,961
	2	Tadepalligudem	Tadepalligudem Division	130,348
	3	Palakollu	Narasapuram Division	104,216
	4	Tanuku	Tadepalligudem Division	77,962
	5	Narasapuram	Narasapuram Division	58,780
	6	Akiveedu	Bhimavaram Division	38,597
	7	[[{{{city_7}}}]]	[[{{{div_7}}}]]	{{{pop_7}}}
	8	[[{{{city_8}}}]]	[[{{{div_8}}}]]	{{{pop_8}}}
	9	[[{{{city_9}}}]]	[[{{{div_9}}}]]	{{{pop_9}}}
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Municipal Bodies in West Godavari District

S.No.	Municipal Body	Civic Status of town	No. of wards	Municipality Formation Year	2011 Census Population	2001 Census Population	1991 Census Population	1981 Census Population	1971 Census Population	1961 Census Population	1951 Census Populations
1	Bhimavaram	Municipality Grade - Selection	39	1948	1,46,961	1,42,064	1,21,314	1,01,894	63,762	43,821	30,928
2	Tadepalligudem	Municipality Grade - Selection	40	1958	1,04,032	1,02,622	88,878	62,574	43,610	27,086	13,543
3	Palakollu	Municipality Grade - 1	35	1919	81,199	76,308	56,969	46,146	36,196	28,481	23,037
4	Tanuku	Municipality Grade - 1	34	1979	77,962	72,970	62,913	53,618	34,197	24,657	16,906
5	Narsapuram	Municipality Grade - 1	31	1956	58,770	58,604	56,362	46,033	36,147	30,064	20,999
6	Akiveedu	Nagar Panchayat	20	2020	36,000	24,259	29,421	21,317	16,880	--	10,307

Constituencies

There is one parliamentary and seven assembly constituencies in the district. The parliamentary constituency is Narsapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)

The Assembly constituencies are:

1. Achanta
2. Bhimavaram
3. Narsapur
4. Palakollu
5. Tadepalligudem
6. Tanuku
7. Undi

Transport

Roadways

The total road length of state highways in the district is 1,229 km (764 mi). The district relies mostly on public transport, such as buses of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Most of the major national highways, like NH216 and NH165, pass through towns in the district.

Railways

The South Central Railway division of Indian Railways operates many passenger routes and freight transport through the district. The Howrah-Chennai main line, Vijayawada–Nidadavolu loop line, and Bhimavaram–Narasapuram branch lines are the major lines and sections that provide rail connectivity in the district. The Kovvur-Bhadrachalam Railway line and Kotipalli-Narsapur Railway line are the major railway projects in the district.

Waterways

National Waterway 4 passes through the district and connects Puducherry with Kakinada and Rajahmundry via Tadepalligudem, Eluru. It has access to the Bay of Bengal at Narsapuram. The Andhra Pradesh state government began construction of a fishing harbor in Narsapuram in September 2021.

Education

The primary and secondary schools are maintained by the government under the state's School Education Department of the state, supplemented by private institutions. According to the school information report for the 2015–16 academic year, there are a total of 4,408 schools. They include 19 government, 2,664 mandal and zilla parishads, 1 residential schools, 1,344 private schools, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), 208 municipal schools, and 169 other types of schools. The total number of students enrolled in primary, upper primary, and high schools within the district was 522,793 during the 2015-16 school year.

Universities

• National Institute of Technology, Tadepalligudem (NIT, Tadepalligudem)
• Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem

Notable people

• Brahmaji, film actor
• Chiranjeevi, film actor, Central Minister
• Arvind Krishna, IBM CEO
• Raju Peddada, industrial and graphic designer
• Prabhas, actor
• Alluri Sitarama Raju, freedom fighter
• Krishnam Raju, film actor, Central Minister
• Ramalinga Raju, founder of Satyam Computer Services
• Trivikram Srinivas, film director
• Sunil (actor), actor
• Krishna Vamsi, film director
• Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Central Minister

See also

• List of villages in West Godavari district
• Gundupillar

External links

• West Godavari district official website