| Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| District(s) | Ghaziabad District |
| Population | 968,521[1] (2001) |
| Mayor | Damyanti Goel |
| Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle |
• 201 xxx • +91-120 • UP 14 |
Coordinates: Ghaziabad pronunciation (Hindi: गाज़ियाबाद, Urdu: غازی آباد) is an industrial city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located about 1.5 km East of the Hindon river at Latitude 28° 40' North and Longitude 77° 25' East. It is 19 km East of Delhi and 46 km South-West of Meerut. The city houses the headquarters of the Ghaziabad district. The city gets its name from the founder Ghazi-ud-din, who called it Ghaziuddinnagar after himself. Later the name was shortened to Ghaziabad. It is a large industrial city well-connected by roads and railways. It has industries that manufacture railway coaches, diesel engines, bicycles, tapestries, glassware, pottery, paint and varnish, heavy chains etc. Recently a number of malls and multiplexes have come up in the city and the roads are being improved by construction and widening of flyovers. These developments have also led to it being featured in Newsweek International[2] as one of the 10 most dynamic cities of the world for 2006.
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History
Ghaziabad was founded in 1740 by the vizir Ghazi-un-ddin. He named it after himself and called it Ghaziuddinnagar. The city was the scene of fighting during the Indian Mutiny, 1857–58, revolt that began with Indian soldiers in the Bengal army of the British East India Company but developed into a widespread uprising against British rule in India. In an encounter between the freedom fighters and a small British force the former were defeated while trying to hold the Hindon. This was the first war of independence and it brought Ghaziabad much of its glory. From the historical cultural, mythological and archeological point of view Ghaziabad is a prosperous city. This has been proved from the research work and excavations done in the district. The excavation work carried out at the mound of Kaseri situated on the bank of river Hindon, 2 km north from Mohan Nagar shows that civilization was developed here in 2500 B.C.
Geography
Ghaziabad is situated about 1.5 km from the Hindon river. On the north it is bound by the district of Meerut, on the south by that of Bulandshahar & Gautambudh Nagar, on the south-west by Delhi and on the east by the district Jyotibaphule Nagar. As its boundary is adjacent to Delhi, it acts as the main entrance to Uttar Pradesh and hence is also called the Gateway of Uttar Pradesh. Ganga, Yamuna and Hindon are the main rivers flowing through the district and they are filled with water throughout the year. Other than these there are some small rain-fed rivers, prominent among them is the Kali river. Apart from these rivers the Ganaga Canal flows through the district and irrigation work is carried out through different branches of Canal. The Ganga canal also caters the drinking water needs of the people of Ghaziabad as well as Delhi.
Climate
As it is adjacent to Delhi, its temperature and rainfall are similar to that of Delhi. The dust storms in Rajasthan and snowfall in the Himalayas, Kumaon and Garhwal hills impact the weather regularly. The monsoon usually arrives at the end of the June or the first week of July and normally the rainy season lasts till October.
Economy
Ghaziabad is primarily an industrial city with manufacturers in railway coaches, diesel engines, electroplating, bicycles, picture tubes, tapestries, glassware, pottery, vegetable oil, paint and varnish, heavy chains, automobile pistons & rings, steel pharmaceuticals, liquer, etc. It is one of the most industrialised cities in Uttar Pradesh. The new industry sector upcoming in ghaziabad is of Hi-Tech Plant growth boosters.. Many companies like Crophealth Products Pvt. Ltd. and Hind Biochem are giving it a new dimension. There are also a number of private hospitals and health-care centres in Ghaziabad that provide health care to the residents in nearby villages and towns such as Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Dasna etc. Ghaziabad has a considerable railway importance. It is one of the largest railway junctions, handling more than 100 long distance trains every day, in addition to the numerous suburban trains to Delhi. It houses one of the largest and most modern Electric Locomotive Sheds. It is also the home to Advanced Level Telecommunication Training Centre (ALTTC).
Government and Politics
There is one municipal corporation in Ghaziabad. It was given the status of a municipal corporation on 31 August 1994. On 14th November 1976 Ghaziabad was declared as a district by the then Chief Minister Mr. N.D.Tiwari. After which the city moved forward leaps and bounds on the social, economic and agricultural front.
Transport
Ghaziabad can be reached by air, road and rail. The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport which is about 45 km away. By road, Ghaziabad is well-connected on all sides to Delhi, NOIDA, Hapur, Modinagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Haridwar, etc. A large number of people commute to Delhi everyday for work. There are bus terminuses at Mohan Nagar, Lohia Nagar, Vasundhara and close to Meerut Road from where Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses serve cities over the state. Ghaziabad is also well-connected to all parts of the country through Railway line. It is a railway junction and several lines pass through Ghaziabad. The Main railway station is situated in the middle of the city. The city is very well connected to Delhi and other neighbouring cities through Fast Moving Local Trains called EMU. several trains connect Ghaziabad to Meerut, Aligarh, Delhi, New delhi, Faridabad, Palwal, Mathura, etc. By the year 2009 September Metro trains will be running in Ghaziabad. It will extend its journey from Anand Vihar to Vaishali.
Education
There are a number of private engineering colleges and management institutes in Ghaziabad. There are also a few dental colleges and physiotherapy institutes,such as Santosh Medical College in Vijay Nagar. St.Joseph's Academy, Mariam Nagar: This is an educational institution managed by CMI Fathers, established in 1980 has a spacious campus and over 2500 students to its strength.The school is affiliated to ICSE & ISC boards of Delhi has a very good reputation and standard in the city. Ingraham Institute is one of the oldest establishment having English Mediam School, Hindi Inter colledge, as well as technical departments. Now located in the heart of the city.
Media
It is a part of the satellite area of Delhi therefore most of the newspapers, TV channels and radio channels here are the same as for Delhi. One of the oldest local newspapers is The Hint. A branch of The Times of India newspaper is located at C-76 RDC Raj Nagar Ghaziabad. Television channels are available through the Cable TV network, City Cable being the largest operator.
External links
References
- ^ Census March 1, 2001
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13528949/site/newsweek/page/8/ The Ten Most Dynamic Cities]
