Belgharia


Belgharia or Belghoria is a locality in Kamarhati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is close to Kolkata and also a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Belgharia is also known for wholesale market for all types of Bags/Luggages/Purse etc. One must visit and check the Bag Market beside Belgharia Railway Station

Etymology

The name "Belgharia" is derived from "Bell Ghor". There was a Big bell used for calling the porters for unloading and carrying jute from the boats.

History

The oldest jetty was situated in Ariadaha on the river Ganges. In the 17th century Belgharia and Nimta were the biggest wholesale markets for jute, fish and vegetables.
Ramakrishna Paramhansa visited this place eight times; the first time was in 1875. Swami Vijnanananda, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna also resided here.

Geography

Location

96% of the population of Barrackpore subdivision lives in urban areas. In 2011, it had a density of population of 10,967 per km2. The subdivision has 16 municipalities and 24 census towns.
For most of the cities/ towns information regarding density of population is available in the Infobox. Population data is not available for neighbourhoods. It is available for the entire Municipal area and thereafter ward-wise.

Police station

Belgharia police station under Barrackpore Police Commissionerate has jurisdiction over Kamarhati Municipal area.

Demographics

Kolkata Urban Agglomeration

The following Municipalities, Census Towns and other locations in Barrackpore subdivision were part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in the 2011 census: Kanchrapara, Jetia, Halisahar, Balibhara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Kaugachhi, Garshyamnagar, Garulia, Ichhapur Defence Estate, North Barrackpur, Barrackpur Cantonment, Barrackpore, Jafarpur, Ruiya, Titagarh, Khardaha, Bandipur, Panihati, Muragachha New Barrackpore, Chandpur, Talbandha, Patulia, Kamarhati, Baranagar, South Dumdum, North Dumdum, Dum Dum, Noapara, Babanpur, Teghari, Nanna, Chakla, Srotribati and Panpur.

Economy

Now it has become a business hub, well connected with Kolkata through trains, buses and other means of transport. The nearest Industrial area is Kamarhatty, with the following companies: Agarpara Jute Mill, Allied Ceramic, ESDEE Allumina, Emami, Kamarhatty Jute Mill, Texmaco, TIL, WIMCO.

Transport

Feeder road is one of the main roads in Belgharia. Feeder road connects Belgharia to Barrackpore Trunk Road on the west and through Madhusudan Banerjee Road to Nimta, Birati and consequently to Jessore Road in the east. Feeder Road and Madhusudan Banerjee Road are connected with a rail overbridge named Kabi Satyendranath Dutta Setu above Belgharia railway station. The newly built Belghoria Expressway which links with Dumdum/Kolkata Airport on Jessore Road and Nivedita Setu on the Hooghly River increased the importance of this place.
near Nivedita Setu

Bus

Private Bus

is one of the stations on the main train line starting from Sealdah Station.

Metro Rail

The under Construction Baranagar metro station, which is a part of the Kolkata Metro Line 1 and will also serve as the planned terminus of Kolkata Metro Line 5, is close to Belgharia. Kamarhati is also a planned Metro Station of Kolkata Metro Line 5, near to Belgharia.

Education

was established at Belgharia in 1968. It offers honours courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, history, philosophy, political science, geography, education, physical education, physics, chemistry, mathematics, botany, zoology, physiology, economics, electronics, computer science, accountancy and general BA, BSc and B Com courses.

Culture

is also situated here. They run a Students' Home for meritorious poor and needy students along with a three-year Diploma Engg. College. They also conduct relief activities with a public library and homeopathic dispensary. A small unit of Ramkrishna Mission is situated here which was established by Swami Vijnananandaji, architect of Belur Math.
The population consists of generally middle class Bengali. Of late a lot of student messes has sprung up chiefly because of the comparative low cost of living and close proximity to the city of Kolkata.