Tanuku
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Tanuku | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
.svg)  Tanuku Location in Andhra Pradesh | |
| Coordinates: 16°45′24″N 81°40′37″E / 16.7566°N 81.6770°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | West Godavari |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selection Grade Municipality |
| • MLA | Arimilli Radha Krishna |
| Area | |
| • Land | 24.83 km2 (9.59 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 14.84 m (48.7 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 104,892 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 534 211 |
| Area code | 08819 |
| Vehicle registration | AP 37 |
Tanuku is a city in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its historical administrative role, early educational institutions, and regional commercial significance. Tanuku functioned as a taluk headquarters during the Madras Presidency in Godavari district under British rule in 1850's. The town developed as a local administrative and commercial center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Educational development in Tanuku dates back to the early 1900s, with the establishment of institutions such as the Zilla Parishad Boys High School in 1902, contributing to literacy and regional education. It is the mandal headquarters of Tanuku mandal . Tanuku is the Third largest in the West Godavari District after Bhimavaram,and Tadepalligudem in terms of population. Tanuku is the Textile Hub of both West Godavari district and East Godavari district. There are a Significant number of Large scale and Small scale Spinning Mills
Tanuku serves as a regional service center for surrounding mandals. Its historical administrative role, combined with its educational institutions and judicial presence, contribute to its importance in the district.
Tanuku has a historical association with judicial administration dating back to the British colonial period, when it functioned as a taluk headquarters under the Madras Presidency. During this period, taluk headquarters typically hosted subordinate courts such as Munsif or Magistrate courts, serving local civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Following Indian independence, the judicial system in Tanuku was reorganized under the state judiciary framework, leading to the establishment and expansion of civil and criminal courts to cater to the growing population and administrative needs of the region. In the present day, Tanuku hosts a court complex comprising multiple levels of judiciary, including courts functioning under the jurisdiction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. These include district-level and subordinate courts that serve Tanuku and surrounding mandals.
In the ancient period, Tanuku was known as Tarakapuri, the capital of Asura King Tarakasura.[1]
Geography
Tanuku is a located at 16°45′N 81°42′E / 16.75°N 81.7°E. It has a tropical climate and an annual rainfall of 313.4 millimetres (31.34 cm). The Gosthani River flows through the town.[1]
Demographics
As of 2011[update] census of India, the town had a population 90,430.[2][3]
Civic administration and politics
Tanuku Municipality was constituted in 1979 as a second grade municipality. It was upgraded to first grade in 2002 and has 34 election wards and later upgraded to selection grade municipality in 2025. Its jurisdiction is spread over an area of 24.56 km2 (9.48 mi2).[4] The municipal commissioner is M. Sambasivarao.[5]
Tanuku assembly constituency represents Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, which is one of the segment of Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency, representing the Lok Sabha.[6]
Economy
Andhra Sugars Limited supplies liquid hydrogen to the ISRO, for using it as a rocket propellant in satellite launch vehicles.[7][8] The other byproducts are also used in liquor, paper and power industries.[9]
Tanuku has historically been associated with rice mills, oil mills, textile-related, Cardboard, Paper, Hair Industry, Bulk Durg, Aquaculture and poultry activities, along with other small and medium enterprises. These industries contribute to local employment and support the regional economy.
Culture
Tanuku is the birthplace of Adikavi Nannaya, regarded as the first poet of Telugu language. He is credited with translation of the Mahabharata from Sanskrit to Telugu.[1] Javvadi Yamini Narasambika in dance, AJS Ramareddy in literature and poetry and Dampuri Narayanarao in folk arts have won the Ugadi Purasakarams, a cultural event organized on April 8, 2016, at YMHA hall, Eluru .[11] The Youth Cultural Celebrations is one such example of promoting cultural activities.[12].It is associated with notable literary figures such as Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak, a prominent Telugu poet and writer.
Transport
The town has a total road length of 148.6 km (92.3 mi).[13] The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services from Tanuku bus station.[14] Tanuku railway station is categorized as a Non-Suburban Grade-5 (NSG-5) station in the Vijayawada railway division.[15] Rajahmundry Airport is situated about 65 km (40 mi) from the town. The nearest international airport, Vijaywada Airport is located about 118 km (73 mi) from the town.
Education
The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state.[16][17] The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English, Telugu. Higher education institutions include the SMVM Polytechnic College[18] which provides technical courses. SKSD Mahila Kalasala which offers under graduate and post graduate courses.S.C.I.M Government Degree and P.G. College which offers under graduate and post graduate courses.
Healthcare
Tanuku functions as a regional healthcare center with a combination of government and private medical facilities. The town has a District Government Hospital along with several private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers providing primary and secondary healthcare services.
Residents of nearby mandals depend on Tanuku for routine medical care, while advanced treatments are referred to larger cities.
