Dhakuria (ঢাকুরিহা) is a census town in South 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. Dhakuria it is a locality in the city of Kolkata. It is located in the southern part of the city and is surrounded by Ballygunge and Kasba in the north, Haltu in the east, Jadavpur in the south and the Lake Gardens and Jodhpur Park areas in the west.

The locality is sometimes referred to as the poor man's locality of South Kolkata, surrounded as it is by rich and famous areas, while it still remains primarily a middle-class neighbourhood.

The two most important landmarks that signify this locality are the Dhakuria railway station and the Gariahat Road (South) which are the lifeline of this locality and it's USP.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Dhakuria had a population of 8842. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Dhakuria has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76% and, female literacy is 65%. In Dhakuria, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

The development of Dhakuria can be traced back to the late fifties & sixties, when a large influx of refugees had started from Bangladesh. At that time the southern city limits were up to Ballygunge Lake areas (now known as Golpark).

The areas beyond the Eastern railway tracks at Golpark started developing with large numbers of people building up their homes there. The area was very different from the neighbouring Ballygunge. While Ballygunge dotted the homes of the rich, wide tree lined roads (at Golpark, Southern avenue), Dhakuria was marked with comparatively narrow lanes & bylanes.

With the construction of the Dhakuria bridge, Dakshinapan & Jodhpur Park, the area started getting an upmarket look. Well educated, middle class people preferred to stay up at Dhakuria because of its good neighbourhood & proximity to the city proper & Ballygunge.

Educational institutions

Jodhpur Park Boys' School, Dhakuria Sree Ramchandra High School, Binodini Girls High School, Dhakuria Sree Ramkrishna High School, Sree Ram Roy Institution. Lake Point Convent School, Pareshnath Girls High School, Jodhpur Park Girls' School

Places of interest

Madhusudan Mancha, Dakshinapan, Dhakuria Lake, Babubagan - famous for Sharbojanin Durga Puja,Japanese Buddhist Temple, Miniature of Howrah Bridge at Dhakuria Lake (Known as Hanging Bridge),Swimming Pool & Rowing Clubs Lake Kali Bari, Birla academy, 60ft Idol of lord Krishna at Birla Academy, Rabindra Sarabor Stadium.

Politics

In the 2006 elections to the state assembly Ahmed Javed Khan of AITC won the Ballygunge seat defeating his nearest rival Rabin Drb of CPI(M). Rabin Deb of CPI(M) defeated Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of AITC in 2001 and Dibyendu Biswas of INC in 1996. Sachin Sen of CPI(M) defeated Sushobhan Basu of INC in 1991 and 1987, Rathin Talukdar of INC in 1987 and Subrata Mukherjee of INC in 1977.

Dhakuria is part of Calcutta South (Lok Sabha constituency)

References

See also