Kakinada District | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

History

• In the context of restructuring administrative boundaries in Andhra Pradesh, the formation of the Kakinada District is a significant event. This transformation was initiated through the exercise of legal powers granted by the Andhra Pradesh Districts (Formation) Act of 1974. The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, in pursuit of enhanced governance and regional advancement, undertook a meticulous process involving public consultation and assessment of community feedback. This culminated in the official notification, effective from April 4, 2022, detailing the establishment of the Kakinada District by adjusting the boundaries of the existing East Godavari District, as outlined in Section 4 of the Central Act No. 6 of 2014.
• The process of district formation in Andhra Pradesh is guided by legal frameworks, ensuring that changes are made in accordance with established laws and regulations. Community participation and feedback play a crucial role in shaping such decisions, emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance practices. The effective date of April 4, 2022, marks the official commencement of the Kakinada District, reflecting alterations in territorial demarcations to enhance administrative efficiency and local development.
• The restructuring of district boundaries, particularly in the establishment of the Kakinada District, aims to streamline administrative processes, unlock development potentials at the local level, and strengthen governance mechanisms. By redefining geographical units, the government seeks to create a conducive environment for effective public service delivery and community engagement.

Kakinada District

Natural Background & Boundaries

• Kakinada district, a recently formed district, shares borders with Anakapalli district and Alluri Sitaramaraju district to the north, East Godavari district to the south, Konaseema District to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the east.

Demographic Particulars

• There are 2 Revenue Divisions with Headquarters at Kakinada and Peddapuram.
• The district comprises 21 Revenue Mandals and 21 Mandal Parishads.
• There are 385 Gram Panchayats in the district.
• The district includes 1 Municipal Corporation (Kakinada) and 4 Municipalities (Samalkot, Pithapuram, Peddapuram, Tuni), along with 2 Nagar Panchayats (Yeleswaram, Gollaprolu).
• According to the 2011 Census, the district has 395 inhabited villages and 20 uninhabited villages.
• The total population is 20.92 lakhs, covering a geographical area of 3020 Sq. Kms.
• Kakinada District is among the most densely populated districts in the State, with a population density of 693 per Sq. Km.

Land Utilization

• The total geographical area of the district is 3.01979 Lakh Hectares.
• As of 2019-20, the area covered by forests is 0.33 Lakh Hectares, accounting for 10.92% of the total geographical area.
• Remaining land is distributed among barren and uncultivable land (about 4.66%) and land put to non-agricultural uses (about 20.10%).
• The net area sown is 1.53 Lakh Hectares, constituting 50.69% of the total geographical area.
• The total cropped area in the district is 2.42 Lakh Hectares, with 0.88 Lakh Hectares sown more than once.

Natural Resources

Rivers:

• The primary rivers in the district are Godavari and Pushkara.
• Additional rivers like Yeleru, Thandava, and Pampa supply water to specific areas in the district.

Climate and Rainfall:

• The climate is generally stable, with warm temperatures in May reaching 38.90°C and cool temperatures in January at 19.90°C.
• The actual rainfall recorded from June 2019 to May 2020 was 1008.0 mm, slightly below the normal 1140.2 mm. This represents a deviation of -10.1% from the average.
• Over half of the annual rainfall, 615.1 mm, occurs during the South West Monsoon from June to September, while 258.4 mm is received during the North East Monsoon from October to December 2019.

Developmental Activities

Net Cultivated Area:

• In 2019-20, the cultivated area was 158867 hectares, including fish ponds, which make up 52.54% of the district's total geographical area.

Infrastructure Projects:

• The proposed Polavaram Project on the Godavari River benefits the Kakinada Districts.
• Yeleru Irrigation channels serve areas like Peddapuram, Pithapuram, Prathipadu, Jaggampeta, Kirlampudi, and Yeleswaram Mandals.
• Thandava and Pampa river channels provide water to specific villages in Tuni, Thondangi, and Kotananduru Mandals.
• In upland areas, there are irrigation tanks fed by hill streams, while rainwater is essential for most other tanks. Tube wells are also used for groundwater irrigation in various areas like Surampalem and projects such as Bhupathipalem and Musurumilli in the agency area.

• Affiliation of Colleges: Colleges in Kakinada Districts are affiliated with Adikavi Nannayya University Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Deemed University in Kakinada.
• Types of Schools: There are 1128 Primary Schools, 378 Upper Primary Schools, and 495 High Schools in the districts under different managements.
• Number of Teachers: 4046 Teachers work in Primary Schools, 2399 in Upper Primary Schools, and 5670 in High Schools. There are 1091 Lecturers in 87 Junior Colleges.
• Enrolment: Enrolment numbers are 97143 in Elementary Schools, 42947 in Upper Primary Schools, and 163545 in High Schools.

• Large and Medium Scale Industries: Rice, Sugar, Fertilizers, Paper, and Textiles are the prominent large and medium scale industries in the district.
• Small-Scale Industries: There are various small-scale industries like agro-based, chemical, ceramic, light engineering, and Non-Ferrous metals.
• Specific Industries: The district houses Textile manufacturing units, Sugar Factories, Paper and Paper products manufacturing units, as well as large-scale fertilizers and chemicals factories.
• Industrial Estates: There are two Industrial Estates in the District at Samalkota and Kakinada.

Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ)

• KSEZ is set to establish a deepwater port with an investment of 2000 crores, focusing on importing and exporting petroleum, biotech, agricultural, and other products.

Transport and Communications

• The district is accessible via a single broad-gauge rail line spanning 50 kilometers from Kakinada to Samalkota. However, the primary mode of transportation for people is reliant on road networks, which are well-established throughout the district. 
• The presence of well-constructed roads facilitates the smooth movement of passengers and transportation of goods to various parts of the state. Additionally, National Highways such as NH216 traverse through the district, covering a total distance of 186.08 kilometers, further enhancing connectivity.

Others

• Economy: The economy of Kakinada District primarily relies on agriculture, including crops like paddy, banana, and coconut. Additionally, aquaculture plays a significant role, with activities related to shrimps, black tiger prawns, crabs, fishes, poultry farms, and the export of aqua products contributing to the economic landscape.
• Information Technology: Kakinada is recognized as a Tier-1 city in Andhra Pradesh, hosting the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) since 2007. Currently, around 12 companies operate within Kakinada, with four of them being nurtured in the STPI facility. Notably, InfoTech Enterprises, a multinational software company based in Hyderabad, has established a unit in STPI, Kakinada, employing approximately 120 individuals.
• Politics: Various political parties, including YSR Congress, TDP, Indian National Congress, CPI, CPI(M), BJP, B.S.P., Loksatta, and Jana Sena, have a presence in Kakinada District. The district comprises seven Assembly Constituencies and one Parliamentary Constituency.
• Places of Interest: Kakinada District boasts several significant religious sites such as the temples of Annavaram, Peddapuram, Pithapuram, Samalkota, and Tallupulamma Lova.
• Archaeological Monuments: The district features notable archaeological sites, including Pandavulametta in Peddapuram and a 2nd-century Buddhist monastery in Rampayerravaram. Additionally, historical places like Datta Peetham, Kunthi Madhavaswamy Temple, and Kukkuteswara Swami Temple in Pithapuram reflect the cultural heritage of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty.
• Medical and Health: Kakinada District is equipped with a total of 67 healthcare facilities, including hospitals, Primary Health Centers, Mobile Medical units, and dispensaries. The district houses 516 beds managed by 265 doctors, along with Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, and Unani healthcare establishments.
• Animal Husbandry: The district's livestock population stands at 55.07 lakhs, with significant numbers of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats according to the Livestock Census 2012.
• Fisheries: With a coastal line spanning 144 kilometers and a natural port at Kakinada, the district supports a robust fisheries sector. The presence of numerous fishermen Co-Operative Societies and a fishing harbor constructed in 1979 underscores the importance of fisheries in the region.
• Banking: Kakinada District houses a total of 332 bank branches, comprising nationalized banks, cooperative banks, rural banks, and private banks, facilitating various financial services for the local populace.