Amravati

Amravati is the seventh-largest metro city in the state of Maharashtra. It is a part of the district that goes by the same name, and falls under the Amravati division. The city is a municipal corporation, the first in India to have introduced privatization of octroi. The city of Amravati lies near the passes of the hills that are in between the Purna and Wardha basins, with the Pohara and Chirodi hills to its east.

Earlier known as ‘Udumbravati’ or ‘Umbravati’ in Prakrit because of the abundant Audumber trees growing in this region, the name gradually mutated to Amravati. The other version states that the city derives its name from the Ambadevi temple. The name Amravati means the abode of immortals in Sanskrit.

Amravati was hit by drought and famine during the 14th century, which resulted in people migrating from the city, and subsequently a decrease in population. At the end of the 18th century, Amravati saw a period of steady growth in business. Presently, the city is witnessing a lot of movement in the real estate sector due to the improvements in the infrastructure facilities in the city.

Stats and Facts

• The population of Amravati, as per the census report of 2011, stands at 6,46,801
• According to the same report, the sex ratio in Amravati is 957 females per 1000, which is better than the national average sex ratio of 940 females per 1000
• Amravati has a literacy rate of 83.03%, according to the 2011 census
• There are two lakes in Amravati, Chhatri Talao and Wadali Talao
• The 60-m high Maltekdi hill is located at Amravati
• Amravati is famous for the Ambadevi temple and its Vidharbhan style of architecture
• Amravati has an ISKCON temple, also called Sri Sri Rukhmini Dwarkadhish Mandir at Rati Nagar, which attracts Krishna devotees in great numbers
• During the British rule, the Civil Disobedience Movement operated with its head office in Amravati

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry

• Amravati has six rivers flowing in its vicinity, which has resulted in agriculture flourishing in the city. The agriculture industry contributes majorly to Amravati’s economy. Cotton, pulses and grains are the important crops cultivated here. Other crops grown are red gram, green chickpea, wheat, sugarcane, oranges, green chillies, betel leaves and sweet lime
• Grains occupy the maximum area of cultivation, and Sorghum is the major grain produced. With rich black soil, cotton is the cash crop cultivated abundantly. This has resulted in the Amravati district always being among the top 3 districts in Maharashtra in cotton production. Amravati is also famous for its oranges
• The forests in Amravati are abundant in teak and bamboo trees. The city is also the only one in Maharashtra that cultivates coffee, contributing to the economy of the city
• The industries set up at Amritsar are mostly agro-based because of the extensive supply of agricultural raw products. Most of these industries are ginning and milling based units. There are also power looms, yarn mills and handlooms because of the large-scale cotton production
• Apart from agriculture, Amravati is known for tourism in Chikhaldara, the only hill station in the Vidharba region, is located here. With many temples in the city, it attracts a lot of devotees and pilgrims too

Connectivity

• Amravati is well connected to most of the important surrounding cities like Nagpur, Pune, Bhopal, Raipur, Indore, Mumbai, Jabalpur, Akola, Aurangabad, Nanded, and Parbhani by road. The MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) runs buses from Amravati to other major cities within and outside Maharashtra. The National Highway NH-6 passes through the city, connecting it to Surat and Kolkata
• The intra-city transport is mainly accomplished through city buses and Auto-rickshaws. The Amravati Municipal Corporation runs the city buses, connecting all the places within the city. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws also cater to the needs of the people
• Amravati has its own railway station, providing good connectivity to major cities in the region. The Amravati Railway Station lies on the Badnera branch line and is in the Nagpur-Bhusawal section along the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line under the Central Railways. The city has three stations, Amravati Railway Station, Badnera Railway Station and the New Amravati Railway Station
• Many trains originate from Amravati, connecting the city to Jabalpur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Surat, Wardha, Bhusaval, Tirupati, Pune and Badnera
• Amravati Airport is located around 15 km from the city at Belora and is run by the MADC (Maharashtra Airport Development Company). Although the city also has a helipad facility, the city’s regular airport currently doesn’t cater to any commercial flights.

Localities in Amravati