Mekhliganj is a city and a municipality in Cooch Behar district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Mekhliganj subdivision.

Mekhliganj
City
SDO Office, Mekhliganj
Mekhliganj Location in West Bengal, India Show map of West Bengal Mekhliganj Mekhliganj (India) Show map of India Mekhliganj Mekhliganj (Asia) Show map of Asia
Coordinates: 26.35°N 88.92°E / 26.35; 88.92
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Cooch Behar
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Mekhliganj Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	3.88 km2 (1.50 sq mi)
Elevation	58 m (190 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	9,217
• Density	2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Bengali[2][3]
• Additional official	English[2]
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Lok Sabha constituency	Jalpaiguri
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Mekliganj
Website	coochbehar.nic.in

Geography

Location

Mekliganj is at 26.35°N 88.92°E / 26.35; 88.92. It adjoins the boundary of Teesta River.[4] It has an average elevation of 58 m (190 ft). Also it is situated very near to Saniajan River

According to the District Census Handbook 2011, Koch Bihar, Mekliganj covered an area of 3.88 km².[5]

Area overview

The map alongside shows the western part of the district. In Mekhliganj subdivision 9.91% of the population lives in the urban areas and 90.09% lives in the rural areas. In Mathabhanga subdivision 3.67% of the population, the lowest in the district, lives in the urban areas and 96.35% lives in the rural areas.[6] The entire district forms the flat alluvial flood plains of mighty rivers.[7]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivisions. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India Mekliganj had a total population of 9,217 of which 4,664 (51%) were males and 4,463 (49%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 1,098. The total number of literate persons in Mekliganj was 6,009 (74.84% of the population over 6 years).[8]

As of 2001^[update] India census,[9] Mekliganj had a population of 10,833. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mekliganj has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 68%, and female literacy is 53%. In Mekliganj, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Civic administration

Police station

Mekhliganj police station has jurisdiction over Mekhligaganj municipal area and a part of Mekhliganj CD block.[10][11]

Education

Founded in 1996, Mekliganj College is an undergraduate college situated at Mekhliganj.[12] It has total ten academic departments .

Healthcare

Mekhliganj Subdivional Hospital, with 120 beds, functions at Mekhliganj.[13]

References