Palasa

For the film, see Palasa 1978.

Palasa
Town Municipality
Clockwise from top: Palasa Railway Station Entrance, Railway Station, View of palasa from nemalikonda, Mandal office, Cashew statue, Indira chowk
Nickname:  White Gold City
Palasa Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, India Show map of Andhra Pradesh Palasa Palasa (India) Show map of India Palasa Palasa (Asia) Show map of Asia Palasa Palasa (Earth) Show map of Earth
Coordinates: 18°46′23″N84°24′28″E / 18.773095°N 84.407830°E / 18.773095; 84.407830
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District	Srikakulam
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality, SUDA
•  MLA	Seediri Appalaraju (2019-Present)
•  Municipal Chairman	Balla Giribabu (2021- Present)
Area [1]
• Total	32.75 km2 (12.64 sq mi)
• Rank	1 (In Srikakulam)
Elevation	38 m (125 ft)
Population  (2011) [2]
• Total	57,507
• Density	1,800/km2 (4,500/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Telugu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	532221,532222
Telephone code	08945
Vehicle registration	AP–39
Website	Palasa–Kasibugga Municipality

Palasa is one of the twin towns located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The town is situated between Srikakulam and Berhampur. ^[3] It is categorized as the second grade municipality. Also the town serves as the headquarters of Palasa Mandal. ^[4]

Etymology

The town's name, Palasa, is said to be derived from the initial Telugu letters of the names of three goddesses: Parvati (Pa), Lakshmi (La), and Saraswati (Sa). As a result, it is known as Palasa, reflecting the combination of these revered deities.

Geography

Palasa has an average elevation of 38 meters (127 feet). ^[5] The town has an area of 32.75 km² (12.64 sq mi). ^[6]

Demographics

As of 2011 ^[update] census of India, Palasa had a population of 57,507 with 25,000 households. 5,609 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 2,887 are boys and 2,722 are girls —a ratio of 943 girls per 1000 boys. The average literacy rate stands at 75.68% with 39,276 literates, higher than the state average of 67.41%. ^{[2] [7]}

Administration

Main article: Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality

The local governance body known as Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality was established in the year 2000. This body plays a vital role in the development and administration of the twin towns, Palasa and Kasibugga. It strives to help progress and development in the twin towns by implementing various initiatives.

The jurisdiction of Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality covers a total of 31 wards in the twin towns. ^[1] These wards represent different geographic divisions within the municipality's administrative area. Each ward is represented by an elected councilor who advocates for the interests and concerns of the residents in that specific area.

Assembly constituency

Palasa is also an Assembly constituency in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This constituency represents the political representation of the region in the state legislature.

The Palasa (Assembly constituency) includes three mandals under its jurisdiction:

1. Palasa Mandal
2. Mandasa Mandal
3. Vajrapu Kotturu Mandal

Economy

Palasa is a significant center for cashew production in Andhra Pradesh, with more than 350 cashew processing industries operating in the region. Making it the highest among the northern coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh. The town's prominence in cashew processing also makes it one of the largest cashew processing hubs in India. ^[8]

The cashew industry plays a vital role in the local economy, offering much employment opportunities to the community. Approximately 15,000 people in the surrounding areas benefit from both direct and indirect employment generated by this thriving sector. As a result, the cashew industry contributes significantly to the economic growth and livelihoods of the people in the region. ^[9]

Healthcare

The Community Health Centre, Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad is located here. It can hold 50 inpatients. ^[10]

Transport

Road

Palasa is well connected with major cities like Bhubaneswar (245 km) to the north and Visakhapatnam (198 km), Vijayawada (530 km) to the south through the National Highway NH-16 (Chennai–Kolkata).

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) from its depot near New Complex Bus Stand at Palasa operates buses daily to several local places and to the major cities in the state.

Rail

Palasa is served by its own railway station under the Khurda Road division of East Coast Railway, and is situated in the Howrah - Chennai Main Line. The Palasa railway station is a major railway station in srikakulam district which is categorised as NSG-3.

Air

The closest operative International Airports to the town are: Vishakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) 195 km, Biju Patnaik Airport (BBI) 245 km.

Education

The primary and secondary school education in the town is imparted by government and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state. ^{[11] [12]} The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.

Climate Data

Palasa has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Classification: Aw). The town's yearly temperature is 29.06 °C (84.31 °F) and it is 3.09% higher than India's average. Palasa typically receives about 50.9 millimeters (2.0 inches) of precipitation and has 40.98 rainy days (11.23% of the time) annually.

Maximum summer temperature is 41 °C; minimum winter temperature is 16 °C. May is the hottest month; January is the coldest. The region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October.

Climate data for Palasa
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	32.0 (89.6)	37.0 (98.6)	39.0 (102.2)	40.0 (104.0)	41.0 (105.8)	41.0 (105.8)	36.0 (96.8)	36.0 (96.8)	34.0 (93.2)	34.0 (93.2)	33.0 (91.4)	31.0 (87.8)	41.0 (105.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	27.57 (81.63)	30.55 (86.99)	34.34 (93.81)	36.62 (97.92)	36.81 (98.26)	35.6 (96.1)	32.62 (90.72)	31.67 (89.01)	31.53 (88.75)	30.3 (86.5)	29.54 (85.17)	27.37 (81.27)	32.04 (89.67)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	18.32 (64.98)	20.92 (69.66)	24.06 (75.31)	26.2 (79.2)	27.53 (81.55)	28.61 (83.50)	27.28 (81.10)	26.57 (79.83)	26.01 (78.82)	23.82 (74.88)	21.27 (70.29)	18.88 (65.98)	24.12 (75.42)
Record low °C (°F)	16.0 (60.8)	17.0 (62.6)	18.0 (64.4)	20.0 (68.0)	19.0 (66.2)	24.0 (75.2)	21.0 (69.8)	19.0 (66.2)	22.0 (71.6)	20.0 (68.0)	16.0 (60.8)	15.0 (59.0)	15.0 (59.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	4.93 (0.19)	14.38 (0.57)	5.38 (0.21)	19.45 (0.77)	65.82 (2.59)	33.5 (1.32)	90.89 (3.58)	130.96 (5.16)	109.74 (4.32)	124.25 (4.89)	2.25 (0.09)	9.23 (0.36)	50.9 (2.00)
Source: Weather and Climate [13]

References

1. "STATISTICAL INFORMATION OF ULBs & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. p. 1. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
2. "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
3. "Leaders out to woo voters". 28 November 2007 – via www.thehindu.com.
4. "Srikakulam district mandals" (PDF). Census of India. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. pp. 175, 209. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
5. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Palasa, India".
6. "Basic Information of Municipality". Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration. Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
7. "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). Official Portal of Andhra Pradesh Government. p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
8. "APEDA blueprint to improve cashew production".
9. "palasa kasibugga – Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration". cdma.ap.gov.in.
10. "APVVP.Hospitals" (PDF).
11. "School Education Department" (PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
12. "The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal | AP State Portal". www.ap.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
13. "Palasa-Kasibugga Climate Summary". Weather and Climate. Retrieved 12 July 2023.