Konaseema district | |
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Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district | |
Clockwise from top-left: Bhimeswara temple at Draksharama, Crop fields in Yeditha, Street of Amalapuram, Antarvedi Beach, Gummileru Jain Temple | |
![]() Location of Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh | |
![]() Interactive map outlining district | |
Coordinates: 16°36′N82°00′E / 16.6°N 82.0°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Andhra Pradesh |
Region | Coastal Andhra |
Formed | 4 April 2022 |
Founded by | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
Named for | B. R. Ambedkar |
Headquarters | Amalapuram |
Government | |
• District collector | Himanshu Shukla IAS |
• Superintendent of Police | P Sridhar IPS [1] |
• Lok Sabha constituencies | 01 |
• Assembly constituencies | 07 |
Area | |
• Total | 2,081.2 km2 (803.6 sq mi) |
Population (2011) [2] | |
• Total | 1,719,093 |
• Density | 830/km2 (2,100/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Telugu |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
Website | konaseema |
Konaseema district, (officially Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district) is one of the 26 districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated between the tributaries of the Godavari River in the Konaseema region of Coastal Andhra. It was carved out of East Godavari district on 4 April 2022 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Amalapuram is the district headquarters and the largest city in this district. The district shares boundaries with West Godavari, East Godavari and Kakinada districts.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district is situated in the delta of the Godavari River. The land in this region is considered highly fertile, and its economy is primarily based on agriculture, [3] especially with a focus on rice and coconut cultivation. [4] Mangrove forests are present in the northeast of the district. [5] Apart from the Ramachandrapuram revenue division, the district lies between the two branches of the Godavari River. The Godavari divides into two components, namely Gautami and Vasishtha, [6] forming an island which is called Konaseema. [7]
This district is surrounded to the north by East Godavari district, south by the Bay of Bengal, east by Kakinada district and west by West Godavari district. [8]
On January 26, 2022, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet made a significant decision to create 13 new districts, and among them, the proposal for the Konaseema district was approved. [9] [10] On April 04, 2022, the chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy virtually inaugurated all 13 new districts, officially establishing Konaseema district. [11] [12] However, on May 18, 2022, the government initiated discussions about renaming Konaseema district in honour of B. R. Ambedkar, leading to violent protests on May 24, 2022, during which protesters set ablaze the home of transport minister Pinipe Viswarup. [13] [14] Subsequently, on June 24, 2022, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet endorsed the gazette notification issued on May 18, officially approving the renaming of the district. [15] [16] [17] Finally, on August 02, 2022, Konaseema district was officially renamed to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The change took effect on that date, as announced in the gazette notification by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
The notification stated:
the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, in the interests of public, after having published proposals in that regard as required under sub-section (5) of Section 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Districts (formation) Act, 1974 (Act No.7 of 1974), and having taken into consideration the objections and suggestions received thereon all persons in the areas concerned and likely to be affected thereby, do hereby notify to change the existing name of the Konaseema district as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district [18]
There is one parliamentary and seven assembly constituencies in the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The parliamentary constituency is Amalapuram (Lok Sabha constituency), and the assembly constituencies are listed below. [19]
Constituency number | Name | Reserved for (SC/ST/None) | Parliament |
---|---|---|---|
42 | Ramachandrapuram | None | Amalapuram |
43 | Mummidivaram | None | |
44 | Amalapuram | SC | |
45 | Razole | SC | |
46 | Gannavaram | SC | |
47 | Kothapeta | None | |
48 | Mandapeta | None |
The district is divided into 3 revenue divisions: Amalapuram, Kothapeta and Ramachandrapuram, each of which is further subdivided into a total of 22 mandals, with each mandal being headed by a sub-collector. [20]
The list of 22 mandals in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, [21] divided into 3 revenue divisions, is given below. [22]
The district underwent reorganization in 2022, resulting in the presence of one Grade 1 municipality, [23] two Grade 2 municipalities, [24] and one Nagar Panchayat. [25]
Largest towns and villages in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Name | Revenue division | Civil Status | Population |
1 | Mandapeta | Ramachandrapuram | Municipality Grade - 2 | 65,406 |
2 | Amalapuram | Amalapuram | Municipality Grade - 1 | 53,231 |
3 | Ramachandrapuram | Ramachandrapuram | Municipality Grade - 2 | 43,657 |
4 | Mummidivaram | Amalapuram | Nagar Panchayat | 25,355 |
5 | Kothapeta | Kothapeta | Gram Panchayat | 24,539 |
6 | Rayavaram | Ramachandrapuram | Gram Panchayat | 17,361 |
7 | Razole | Amalapuram | Gram Panchayat | 13,597 |
8 | Bandarulanka | Amalapuram | Gram Panchayat | 11,470 |
9 | Alamur | Kothapeta | Gram Panchayat | 9,723 |
10 | P.Gannavaram | Kothapeta | Gram Panchayat | 9,459 |
At the time of the 2011 census, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district had a population of 1,719,093, of which 164,421 (9.56%) lived in urban areas. Konaseema district had a sex ratio of 994 females per 1000 males. [27] Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes comprised 427,130 (24.85%) and 13,481 (0.78%). [2]
Telugu is the predominant language, spoken by 99.41% of the population. [28]
The region has a diverse folk culture with their regional gods. In the heart of the Godavari Delta, Konaseema is one of the only two regions in India, apart from Kerala, where a large community still practices traditional Shrauta rituals. These traditions have largely fallen out of use in the rest of India, making it a favoured destination for scholars seeking to understand ancient Vedic culture. [29] Most of the Dalits, like in most of Coastal Andhra, are Christians - both Catholic and Protestant. [30]
Sankranti is observed as the major festival in the Konaseema region. The people of Konaseema commemorate the 400-year-old tradition of 'Prabhala Teertham' on Kanuma, the third day of the Sankranti festival. [31] This unique celebration is set to gain national attention as a tableau representing the Konaseema festival will feature in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. [32]
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district boasts numerous tourist attractions, including the picturesque Antarvedi, Chirra Yanam, and Odalarevu beaches. [33] [34] [35] A notable 2nd-century CE Buddhist archaeological site can be found in Adurru village. [36] Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation operates resorts in Dindi, providing tourists with the opportunity to indulge in the scenic beauty of the Konaseema backwaters. [37]
Among the district's religious landmarks, Sri Vighneswara Swamy Devasthanam in Ainavilli, [38] Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Appanapalli, [39] Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Antarvedi, [40] and Bhimeswara Swamy Temple in Draksharamam [41] are renowned for their cultural and historical significance.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district has efficient connectivity through state and national highways, namely NH216, NH216A, and NH216E, which diverge from NH16 and pass through the region. [42] [43] Furthermore, APSRTC has bus depots in Amalapuram, Ravulapalem, and Ramachandrapuram, [44] operating bus services to villages within the district and connecting to various towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. [45]
The district is currently served by four railway stations. Dwarapudi railway station and Kesavaram railway station on the Howrah-Chennai main line, and Kotipalli railway station and Ramachandrapuram railway station [46] on the Kakinada - Kotipalli line. Additionally, the Kakinada - Kotipalli - Narsapur railway line is currently under construction, including the development of a bridge over the Godavari river. [47] Upon completion, this railway line will include a stop at the district headquarters, Amalapuram railway station, enhancing connectivity in the region. [48] [49] Among the major railway stations in proximity to the district are Rajahmundry railway station and Narasapur railway station.
The district lacks airport, with the closest domestic options being Rajahmundry Airport at a distance of 75.5 kilometres (46.9 mi) and Vijayawada Airport at 170 kilometres (110 mi) from the district headquarters, Amalapuram. For international travel, the nearest airports are Visakhapatnam Airport, situated 219 kilometres (136 mi) away, and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located 474 kilometres (295 mi) away. [50] [51]
East Godavari is a district in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Its district headquarters is at Rajamahendravaram.
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.
Konaseema is a group of islands between the tributaries of the Godavari River and Bay of Bengal located in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. It is nicknamed "God's own creation" due to similarities with the Kerala backwaters.
Mukteswaram is a village located in Ainavilli Mandal, Konaseema Delta, Amalapuram revenue division in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated near the River Gautami-Godavari, a tributary to the Godavari. Mukteswaram is one of the three important Ferry points for Kotipalli-Mukteswaram and the other two being; Bodasakurru-Pasarlapudi and Sakhinetipalli-Narasapuram in the Konaseema region. Mukteswaram is 60 km from Kakinada.
Amalapuram is a town in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the district headquarters and the third largest town of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. It is the mandal and divisional headquarters of Amalapuram mandal and Amalapuram revenue division respectively. The town is situated in the delta of konaseema.
Ramachandrapuram is a town in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is a Municipality which serves as the headquarters of Ramachandrapuram mandal and Ramachandrapuram revenue division.
Kotipalli also known as Koti Theertham is a village located in K. Gangavaram mandal of Ramachandrapuram revenue division in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple town is also known as Kumararama of the Pancharama Kshetras, and is located 15 km from Amalapuram. Every year festivals such as Maha Sivaratri, Vaisakha Suddha Ekadasi, Aswayuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi and Ksheerabdi Dwadasi Teppotsavam are celebrated in this village.
Sakhinetipalli is a village in Sakhinetipalle mandal in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The village is one of the three important Ferry points for Sakhinetipalli-Narasapuram. The other two are Kotipalli-Mukteswaram and Bodasakurru-Pasarlapudi in the Konaseema region.
Mummidivaram is a town in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Mummidivaram revenue block was formed out of the Amalapuram tehsil in July 1969. It is the second largest town in Konaseema district.
Kothapeta is a village in Kothapeta mandal of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Malikipuram is a town of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located in the Amalapuram revenue division.
Kotipalli railway station, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, serves Kotipalli in East Godavari district.
Pinipe Viswarup, is an Indian politician from Andhra Pradesh. He worked as a Minister in the cabinets of three chief ministers, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Rosaiah and Kiran Kumar Reddy. He is an active member of YSR Congress Party and was a supporter of Samaikyandhra movement.
National Highway 216 is a National Highway in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The former highways of NH 214 and 214A were merged and renumbered as NH 216. It starts from NH 16 junction at Kattipudi and passes through Kakinada, Amalapuram, Digamarru (Palakollu), Narasapuram, Machilipatnam, Repalle, Cherukupalle, Bapatla, Chirala before it junctions NH 16 again at Ongole. Visakhapatnam–Kakinada Petro Chemical Corridor, is a proposed project along the highway.
Dindi is a village in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Malikipuram mandal of Amalapuram revenue division. It is known for coconut plantations and resorts. In 2015 GAIL acquired 400-metre site in to lay a gas pipeline from its refinery at Tatipaka to the Lanco power plant at Kondapalli in Krishna District. Because of various resorts, houseboats, and natural backdrop, it is one of the preferred offbeat destinations for tourists.
Kakinada district is a district in the Coastal Andhra Region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With Kakinada as its administrative headquarters, it was proposed on 26 January 2022 to become one of the resultant twenty six districts in the state after the final notification has been issued on 4 April 2022 by the government of Andhra Pradesh. The district was formed from Kakinada and Peddapuram revenue divisions from East Godavari district. Incidentally, during earlier times, the region comprising towns Pithapuram, Kakinada and Peddapuram were referred as Polnaud or Prolunadu, which now roughly corresponds to the areas in this district.
The Konaseema districtprotest was a protest against the change of name of Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The protest was primarily led by the members of Konaseema Sadhana Samiti, Konaseema Parirakshana Samithi and other organisations.
Odalarevu is a village located in the Allavaram mandal, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated in the coastal region of the state, the village is bounded by the Godavari River on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other.
Amalapuram railway station is a railway station currently under construction located in Amalapuram, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It will serve as a vital link connecting the cities and villages between Narasapuram and Kakinada once completed and it is owned by Indian Railways.
Sakhinetipalle mandal is one of the 22 mandals in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. It is under the administration of Amalapuram revenue division and the headquarters are located at Sakhinetipalle village.