WEST GODAVARI IN AP

West Godavari District This district was formed in 1925. The boundaries of this district are East Godavari district in the East and North, Krishna district and Bay of Bengal in the South and Krishna and Khammam districts in the West directions. Godavari, Yerrakaluva, Bineru are main rivers. Narasapuram, Eluru, Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Thadepalligudem are main towns. Andhra Sugars, Bhimadole, Chagallu Sugar Factories, Andhra Pradesh Strawboard ltd., Ambica Durbar Agarbathi, Fish and Hatchery Forms are main industries of the district. Kolleru Lake, Papikonda & Kolleru Sanctuaries and Guntupally Buddist site are main places of interest and Dwaraka Thirumala, Natta Rameswaram, Pattisam, Soma Ramam and Kshera Ramam are the places of religious importance. Nidudavolu Bags, eluru Woolen piled Carpets and Nasapur Laces are the main handicraft of the district. Andhra Sathavahanas, Chalukyans, Vijayanagara kings, Nizam Nawabs and Britishers ruled over this Place. In the olden days this place used to be a part of Vengi Country. It is said that Pedavegi near Eluru was the capital of Vengi Country. Eluru is the headquarters of West Godavari district. The main attractions of the town are the temples of Janardhana and Jalapaharesvara. There are also relics of an ancient fort. Forest area occupies only 11% of the total district area. Natural Gas was found in near Narasapuram region and the exploration is in progress with the ONGC looking for the presence of the Crude Oil. Andhra Sugar Factory at Tanuku though a private establishment is coined as the major industry in the district. Andhra Pradesh Straw Boards Limited at Bheemavaram is one based on the forest Products. Incandescent or Agarbathi Industry is the major industry showing employment to thousands of families. Sri Ambica Durbar Agarbathi of Eluru is famous world wide. Coir and Carpets industry are flourishing with surplus stock of Coconut Coir. Dhavaleswaram Barrage on River Godavari near Rajahmudry is a major irrigation source to the lands. Electric supply to this district is mainly from Machkand hydro power project and Natural gas power plant at Vijjeswaram in East Godavari district. All Degree Colleges are affiliated to Andhra University - Vishakapatnam. Eluru is located 60 kms from Vijayawada. Eluru is an important railhead on Chennai - Kolkata line. The nearest airport is at Vijayawada which is at a distance of 57 km from Eluru.

West Godavari at a glance : Head Quarters Eluru Area 7,742 sq.km