Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh (pron: ˌdɪbru:ˈgɑ:) is a town and is the headquarters of the Dibrugarh district in the state of Assam in India.

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Dibrugarh district.

Dibrugarh

Ti-Phao [1]
City
Dibrugarh
Location in Assam, India
Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh (India)
Coordinates: 27.48°N 95°E / 27.48; 95
Country India
StateAssam
DistrictDibrugarh
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyDibrugarh Municipal Board
 • Established in1873
 • No. of Wards22
 • ChairmanSoma Chakraborty BJP
Area
 • Total12.65 km2 (4.88 sq mi)
Elevation
108 m (354 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total154,019
Languages
 • OfficialAssamese
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
7860 XX
Telephone code+91 - (0) 373 - XX XX XXX
ISO 3166 codeIN-AS
Vehicle registrationAS-06
Websitewww.dibrugarh.nic.in

Projects like Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, India's longest rail cum road bridge Bogibeel bridge and other upcoming modern urban infrastructure are transforming Dibrugarh into a vibrant city. Of late, the City of Dibrugarh is emerging as a popular destination for business and leisure trips for tourists from India and abroad and the 9th edition of the North East Business Summit was held in the City with the theme "Building bridges with South East Asia", where representatives from South East Asian nations and business leaders of the country pledged to contribute substantially for the socio-economic growth of the North East.[2] Dibrugarh is also a centre of education and research and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) organized the 18th National Space Science Symposium in the town in January–February, 2014.[3] Dibrugarh also serves as the Headquarter of the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, which is the governing council of the Sonowal Kachari tribe (found predominantly in the Dibrugarh district). The town Master Plan area of Dibrugarh is 12.64 sq. kilometres and population is 154,019.

Etymology

Dibrugarh derived its name from Dibarumukh (as a renowned encampment of Ahoms during the Ahom Sutiya War). Either the name "Dibru" evolved from Dibaru river or from the Dimasa word "Dibru" which means a "blister" and "Garh" meaning "fort". Both "Dibru" and "Dibaru" are Dimasa words. The Dimasas add the prefix "Di-" (which means "water") wherever there is small stream, a river, or a large river in a town or city.[4]

History

Dibrugarh was part of the Chutia kingdom until 1523 A.D. when the Ahoms annexed it due to the weak rule of the Chutia king Nitipal. It was known as Ti-Phao in Ahom Buranji. [5]

Geography

Topography
Dibrugarh aerial view

Buridihing, a tributary of Brahmaputra, divides the district from east-to-west. Buridihing flows through Naharkatia and Khowang, and at a later stage in its course, Buridihing acts as a divider between Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts. The region is flat with a gradual slope from the East Arunachal hills to the west. The soil of the district is mostly fertile, alluvial soil.

Panoramic view of Dibrugarh city

Climate

Dibrugarh has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa) with extremely wet summers and relatively dry winters.

Climate data for Dibrugarh Airport (1981–2010, extremes 1952–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.5
(83.3)		 33.2
(91.8)		 34.5
(94.1)		 36.0
(96.8)		 37.2
(99.0)		 38.1
(100.6)		 37.9
(100.2)		 37.5
(99.5)		 37.6
(99.7)		 36.3
(97.3)		 33.1
(91.6)		 30.6
(87.1)		 38.1
(100.6)
Average high °C (°F) 23.1
(73.6)		 24.2
(75.6)		 26.2
(79.2)		 27.4
(81.3)		 29.8
(85.6)		 31.1
(88.0)		 31.0
(87.8)		 31.8
(89.2)		 30.8
(87.4)		 30.1
(86.2)		 27.6
(81.7)		 24.6
(76.3)		 28.1
(82.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 16.4
(61.5)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.3
(70.3)		 23.2
(73.8)		 25.8
(78.4)		 27.6
(81.7)		 27.9
(82.2)		 28.4
(83.1)		 27.5
(81.5)		 25.7
(78.3)		 21.6
(70.9)		 17.7
(63.9)		 23.5
(74.3)
Average low °C (°F) 9.8
(49.6)		 12.8
(55.0)		 16.3
(61.3)		 19.1
(66.4)		 22.1
(71.8)		 24.4
(75.9)		 24.8
(76.6)		 25.2
(77.4)		 24.1
(75.4)		 21.1
(70.0)		 15.5
(59.9)		 10.8
(51.4)		 18.8
(65.8)
Record low °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1)		 4.8
(40.6)		 8.1
(46.6)		 10.8
(51.4)		 14.1
(57.4)		 16.5
(61.7)		 20.6
(69.1)		 19.5
(67.1)		 19.7
(67.5)		 13.3
(55.9)		 6.5
(43.7)		 2.7
(36.9)		 2.7
(36.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 27.8
(1.09)		 63.0
(2.48)		 117.5
(4.63)		 232.9
(9.17)		 307.2
(12.09)		 408.5
(16.08)		 525.0
(20.67)		 410.5
(16.16)		 351.5
(13.84)		 127.1
(5.00)		 21.5
(0.85)		 16.4
(0.65)		 2,609
(102.72)
Average rainy days 3.0 5.9 9.1 13.5 14.3 18.2 21.7 17.2 15.0 7.1 2.0 1.6 128.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 74 68 66 71 73 78 80 78 82 83 81 78 76
Source 1: India Meteorological Department[6][7][8]
Source 2: Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1981–2010)[9]

Demographics
Religion in Dibrugarh (2001)[10]
Religion Percent
Hindus
 
 94.37%
Muslims
 
 4.68%
Buddhist
 
 0.36%
Sikhs
 
 0.23%
Others†
 
 0.27%
Distribution of religions
†Includes Jains (<0.1%)

As of the 2011 India census,[11] Dibrugarh city had a population of 154,019. Males constituted 54% of the population and females 46%. The sex ratio of Dibrugarh city was 961 per 1000 males.

The average literacy rate of Dibrugarh is 89.5%, which is higher than the national average literacy rate.

In Dibrugarh, 9% of the population is between 0 and 6 years of age, and the child ratio of girls is 940 per 1000 boys. Dibrugarh city area has a population of 154,019 according to a 2011 census. The Dibrugarh metropolitan areas include Barbari (AMC AREA), Dibrugarh, and Mahpowalimara Gohain Gaon[12]

Economy

Industry
Fields Headquarters of Oil India Limited at Duliajan

Dibrugarh is considered as an economic hub of North East region of India.[13]

Dibrugarh is at the centre of economic activities dominated by the following industries:

  • Oil and natural gas
  • Tea production
  • Tourism
  • Power generation
  • Fertilizer
  • Cottage industry
  • Information Technology

Oil

The first oil well dug during the British era was in Digboi, 50 miles (80 km) from Dibrugarh. Today, Duliajan, Dikom, Tengakhat and Moran are the key locations for oil and gas industry in the district. Oil India Limited, the second public sector company in India engaged in exploration and transportation of crude oil has its field headquarters in Duliajan, 50 km from Dibrugarh city. The company was granted Navratna status by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in 2010[14]

BCPL

The Assam Gas Cracker Project, also known as Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, was proposed as a part of implementation of Assam Accord signed by Government of India on 15 August 1985.

The Assam Gas Cracker Project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its meeting held on 18 April 2006, under an equity arrangement of GAIL (70%), OIL (10%), NRL (10%) and Govt. of Assam (10%) with a project cost of ₹ 54.6 billion, in which the capital subsidy is ₹ 21.4 billion. The project was scheduled for completion in 60 months. However, the commissioning of the project has been pushed to December 2013, and the cost has escalated to ₹ 92.8 million. The site selected for Assam Gas Cracker Project is at Lepetkata, 15 km from Dibrugarh on NH-37. A joint-venture agreement was signed on 18 October 2006, and the company Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited was registered on 8 January 2007. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone of this project on 9 April 2007.[15][16]

DNPL

Duliajan Numaligarh Pipeline Ltd is a joint venture company promoted by Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Oil India Limited (OIL) with equity participation of 51 per cent, 26 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The Duliajan-Numaligarh pipeline will be the first major cross-country natural gas pipeline in Assam and once the availability of natural gas is ensured, it is expected to be extended to major consumption centers of natural gas in Nagaon and Guwahati.[17]

Tea
A Tea Lounge in Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh hosts several tea gardens dating back to the British era. The first garden was at Chabua, a place 20 miles (32 km) away from Dibrugarh, owned by Maniram Devaan.[18] Today, the headquarters of the Directorate of Development of Small Tea Growers in India is functioning from Dibrugarh,[19] besides a Regional Office of the Tea Board of India headed by a Deputy Director of Tea Development (Plantation) is also located in the city. The Zone I of the Assam Branch Indian Tea Association(ABITA) is located at Dibrugarh.[20]

Tourism

Rail, road and air connectivity coupled with the presence of large number of tourist spots in and around Dibrugarh city has seen impressive growth of tourism industry in this part of India in recent part. Dibrugarh has also become an important destination as well as a major transit point for tourists from both India and abroad. Such tourist circuits include - Dibrugarh - Roing - Mayudia - Anini Tourist Circuit,[21] Dibrugarh - Guwahati river cruise[22] besides 'Tea Tourism' for tourists who prefer serenity and novelty to the hustle-bustle of established tourist destinations[23]

Transportation
A flight taking off from Mohanbari Airport.

Air

Dibrugarh Airport, which is located around 15 km from Dibrugarh town at Mohanbari. Airlines operating from the airport are Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and Pawan Hans Ltd. IndiGo Airlines connects Dibrugarh daily with Delhi via Kolkata and another non-stop to Delhi while in return via Guwahati. SpiceJet connects Dibrugarh daily with Guwahati and Kolkata. Recently, Air Vistara has started its service to Delhi via Bagdogra. The Airports Authority of India is planning to make Dibrugarh Airport an air hub for the northeastern region, along with Guwahati and Agartala.[24] In 2013, Dibrugarh airport was provided with night landing facility.[25] Commercial operation of aerobridges have also started in this airport. Dibrugarh airport is the third airport in eastern India after Kolkata and Guwahati to have the facility of boarding in and disembarking from aircraft through aerobridges.[26]

Rail

Dibrugarh holds a prominent place in the history of Indian Railways with the first railway services of the entire North-East India starting from here. On 1 May 1882, the first train rolled down the tracks from Streamerghat at Dibrugarh. On 15 May 1882, it was extended up to Dinjan. On 23 December that year goods train up to Chabua was introduced. On 18 February 1884, at 7:20 am, the then Chief Commissioner of Assam Sir Charles Illiot flagged off the first passenger train from Reehabari rail station (now Dibrugarh Town Railway station) to Ledo with 400 European and Indian passengers. As per the Centenary Souvenir of the Assam Railways and Trading Company Limited published in 1991, the said company, being the pioneer in building Dibru-Sadiya railways, described the entire history of railway development from Dibrugarh.[27]

Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express standing at Dibrugarh Town railway station.

Dibrugarh Town and Dibrugarh are two railway stations of the city and also two of the important Easternmost railway stations on the map of the Indian Railways connected to some of the important Indian cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kolkata, Delhi, Kanyakumari etc. through the railways network. The new Dibrugarh railway station has been developed on the outskirts of the city at Banipur. It lies on the Lumding-Dibrugarh section of Tinsukia railway division. It is the biggest railway station in the entire north east spreading over 400 bighas of land and it is 2 km in length. One goods yard is also being developed for loading and unloading of goods along with a truck shed, which can accommodate 25 trucks at a time.[28]

Waterways

Dibrugarh also possesses a developed waterway transportation system along and across the Brahmaputra river, known as the National Waterway 2 which extends from Bangladesh Border to Sadiya. Ferry services link Dibrugarh with Sengajan (Dhemaji District), Panbari ( Dhemaji) & Oiram Ghat (near Jonai Dhemaji). From Bogibeel IWT Ghat there are regular ferry Services to Kareng Chapori & Sisi Mukh. Moreover, luxury cruise services are also available from Dibrugarh to Guwahati. The cruise to Dibrugarh passes through Tezpur and the Kaziranga National Park.[29]

Education and research

Schools
Dibrugarh Govt. Boys' H. S. School (Estd. 1840)

Colleges

University

Medical Institutions

Technical Institutions

Media

Electronic media

Dibrugarh has a full-fledged All India Radio centre, All India Radio, Dibrugarh[30] broadcasting in both AM (567 kHz at 529.1 metres of MW) and FM (101.30 MHz) bands airing three transmissions a day[31] along with a 5-minute regional news bulletin at 6:00 PM everyday.[32] All India Radio, Dibrugarh was commissioned way back on 15 February 1968.[31] The station has its studios located at Malakhubosa in Dibrugarh and the high power transmission tower located at Lepetkata near the present Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited site.

Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh

As for television viewing, the second Doordarshan centre of Assam, telecasting programmes in Assamese language, Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh was established in the city in the year 1993. Earlier the Kendra used to telecast Assamese language programmes capsuled in Guwahati beginning 20 December 1991.[33] The programmes produced in this Kendra are telecast through a high power transmitter.[34] Dibrugarh Doordarshan Kendra is contributing programmes to the 'DD North East' channel.[35]

Moreover, NETV is a satellite channel operating from Dibrugarh with a Zonal Office besides V&S, Dibru Live and Luit View are cable TV channels from Dibrugarh. Dibrugarh also has a digital cable TV network.

Dibrugarh has been a pioneer of newspaper journalism in entire Eastern India with the Times of Assam being the first newspaper published from Dibrugarh in the late nineteenth century. After four decades of publication, Times of Assam ceased to publish and from 1939 The Assam Tribune started its journey from Dibrugarh, which after 7 years of publication from Dibrugarh, shifted to Guwahati. However, this premier English daily of the North-East India, The Assam Tribune is published from Dibrugarh along with Guwahati and The Sentinel is published from Dibrugarh along with four other cities of North-East India. Several vernacular, as well English and Bengali dailies are published from Dibrugarh. Assamese newspapers published from Dibrugarh are Asomiya Pratidin, Janasadharan, Niyomiya Barta, Dainik Asam, Dainik Pratikshan and Pratibimba,. Jugashangkha is a Bengali daily published from Dibrugarh along with Guwahati and Silchar.

Tourist attraction
The lush and serene greenery of a tea estate in Dibrugarh

Tea estates

Dibrugarh offers the opportunity to experience a life in tea estates. Tea tourism has started becoming popular, with travel companies such as Greener Pastures and Purvi Discovery offering tea tours.[36]

Wildlife

Dibrugarh has rich flora and fauna in the surrounding wildlife sanctuaries and rainforests.

Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm Center
The work of developing trekking routes inside Jokai reserve forest and introduction of boating facilities at Era-suti is in progress to ensure that a tourist has a complete date with nature here.[37]
Jeypore Rainforest
Situated 60 km southeast of Dibrugarh town in eastern Assam, Jeypore Rainforest is India's easternmost rainforest, one of very few wildlife reserves on earth housing seven wildcat species including Royal Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, common leopard, golden cat and marbled cat.[38] Jeypore reserve forest and Dilli reserve forest combine to be the only rain forest area in the state spread across the three of upper Assam's districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sibsagar comprising a total area of 575 km2. The forest is listed to be the last lowland forests under the Assam valley wet evergreen forest area in the region.[39]
Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Dehing Patkai rainforest with an area of 111.19 km2. is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and is famous for Assam Valley Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests bordering Arunachal Pradesh. A part of the 575 km2 Jeypore, spread across three eastern Assam districts, forms the Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary.[38] The Sanctuary is a part of the Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve having the World War II cemeteries nearby, along with the Stillwell Road and the oldest refinery of Asia in Digboi and 'open cast' coal mining at Lido.[40]

Shrikshetra Dhaam, The Lord Jagannath Temple

A replica of the Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, has come up in Dibrugarh near the Mahatma Gandhi Park at Khanikar. The height of this temple is 85 feet. This temple is expected to be a major centre for religious tourism in eastern Assam. As per the architectural structure, this temple is the 2nd after the original Jagannath Temple, Puri in India.[41]

Politics

Dibrugarh is part of Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency). Rameswar Teli (BJP) is the current Member of Parliament from Dibrugarh. Current Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal & former Chief Minister, Jogendra Nath Hazarika hailed from Dibrugarh.[42]

Notable people
gollark: Oh, that's an `l`, huh.
gollark: cXUlSDeath xx:07:04AR xx:05:04
gollark: Yep.
gollark: Ah, a shame, unbroccolised.
gollark: AR now.

See also

References
  1. (Gogoi 2014:34),Note:As per Ahom Buranji
  2. http://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/policy/asean-business-leaders-pledge-support-for-growth-of-north-east-region/articleshow/26284349.cms
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "About Dibrugarh". dibru.ac.in. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  5. Gogoi, Kamini (2014). Chow Habung (1st ed. April, 2014 ed.). Chiring Chapari Dibrugarh: S. Tamuly Machkhowa, Nakachari P.O. Chungi Lahing Jorhat district, Assam. p. 34.
  6. "Station: Dibrugarh/Mohanbari (A) Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 249–250. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  8. "Dibrugarh Climatological Table 1971–2000". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  9. "Normals Data: Dibrugarh/Mohanbari - India Latitude: 27.48°N Longitude: 95.02°E Height: 110 (m)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  10. "Dibrugarh Census Report". Dibrugarh.gov.in. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  11. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  12. "Census 2011 Data of Indian Population 2011 Census". Census2011.co.in. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  13. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov2313/at05 Archived 3 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  14. http://profit.ndtv.com/news/market/article-oil-india-receives-navratna-status-80095
  15. Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, Assam Archived 10 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Assamgovt.nic.in. Retrieved on 9 November 2011.
  16. Business Line: Companies News: Assam gas cracker project suffers cost, time overruns. Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved on 9 November 2011
  17. http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/duliajan-numaligarh-pipeline-to-be-commissioned-by-nov-110100200010_1.html
  18. (Barua 1994:Preface)
  19. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=81391
  20. http://www.teaboard.gov.in/inner1.asp?param_link_id=110#
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. Das, Ripunjoy (12 July 2005). "Tea belt takes to heritage tourism". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  24. The Assam Tribune Online Archived 14 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Assamtribune.com (10 August 2011). Retrieved on 9 November 2011.
  25. Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Assamtribune.com (20 September 2013). Retrieved on 3 October 2013.
  26. . Assamtribune.com (2 October 2013). Retrieved on 3 October 2013.
  27. Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Assamtribune.com (17 June 2010). Retrieved on 3 October 2013.
  28. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul1211/state05 Archived 14 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  29. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. "All India Radio, Dibrugarh". Prasar Bharati. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  31. http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Station/DIBRUGARH/Pages/default.aspx
  32. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. http://ddkguwahati.gov.in/profile.asp
  34. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. "Progress of Raijor Padulit Raijor Sarkar". Dibrugarh.nic.in. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  39. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58330/assams-bid-save-lone-rain.html
  40. "Department of Environment & Forests (Government of Assam)". Assamforest.in. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  41. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/epaper.asp?id=dec0614/Page8 Archived 7 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  42. "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.