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Chikhli, Maharashtra | |
|---|---|
village | |
| Nickname: Political capital of district | |
  Location in Maharashtra, India | |
| Coordinates: 20°21′02″N 76°15′28″E / 20.3505°N 76.2577°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Buldana |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Body | Chikhli Municipal Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15.51 km2 (5.99 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 606 m (1,988 ft) |
| Population (2011 to 2020) | |
| • Total | 147,896 |
| • Rank | 2nd in District 47th in Maharashtra 840th in India |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 443201 |
| Telephone code | 00-91-7264 |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-MH |
| Vehicle registration | MH-28 |
Chikhli is a city and a municipal council in Buldana district in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra state, India. It is located on the Pune-Nagpur highway. It is situated at the westernmost border of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and is 500 km from the state capital, Mumbai. Chikhli is situated on the border of the Marathwada Region and Vidarbha Regions of Maharashtra.
Chikhli has an MIDC located on Nagpur-Pune highway that houses many SMEs in automotive, chemical, fibres and plastic, iron casting and other sectors.
Chikhli (Hq., 20° 21' N., 76° 18' E.,. P. 18,634): The headquarters town of the tahsil bearing the same name is situated at a distance of fourteen miles from Buldhana, the district headquarters. The old Gazetteer of Bnldhana district has to say the following about this town: "There is a dargah or a tomb of Madan Shah Wali in whose honour an urus is held every year at which about 500 people assemble from the surrounding villages. The dargah has some inam land for its support. A temple of Mahadeva to the west of the town is of some archaeological importance. The top was rebuilt about 40 years ago, and other buildings have been added to it."
The municipal council was established at Chikhli in 1930 and administers an area of 14.29 square kilometres. The municipal council is composed of 17 members, two seats being reserved for women and one for scheduled tribes. The municipal administration is divided into various sections such as office, collection, octroi, sanitation, education and dispensary.
The total income of the municipality excluding extraordinary and debt heads amounted to Rs. 5,37,245.92 during the year 1965-66 [During: 1972-73 the income and expenditure amounted to Rs 9,02,000 and Rs. 9,48,000.] and was composed of municipal rates and taxes, Rs. 2,18,443.73; realisations under special Acts, Rs. 1,973.61; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation, Rs. 7,986.00; grants and contributions for general and special purposes, Rs. 3,04,187.33 and income from miscellaneous sources Rs. 4,655.92. During the same year, the total expenditure of the municipality excluding extra-ordinary and debt heads came to Rs. 5,20,960.54. comprising general administration and collection charges, Rs. 1,32,788.89; public safety, Rs. 15,20,232: public health and convenience. Rs. 1,41,362.27; public instruction, Rs. 2,25,695.11; contributions, Rs. 200.00 and miscellaneous expenditure. Rs. 5,711.54. During the year under review the municipality had an income of Rs. 24,913.76 under extra-ordinary and debt heads and under the same head the expenditure was Rs. 36,803.83.
For the convenience of the public the municipality maintains a fruits and vegetables market as also fish and mutton markets. It also conducts a library. The municipality maintains two dispensaries, one general and one veterinary. Wells form the main source of water-supply to the town. Primary education has been made compulsory in the town and is managed by the municipality. Besides primary schools there are two colleges and four high schools in the town. The total length of roads maintained by the municipality is 7 km. of which a length of 2 km. is asphalted, of 1 km. metalled and the rest i.e., of 4 km. unmetalled. The municipality maintains four cremation grounds and five burial places. There is also a municipal garden and a meeting hall in the municipal office building.
Among the objects of interest in the town may be mentioned the maths of Udasi Maharaj and Mauni Maharaj, the Nazreen Mission Church and the temples of Mahadeva, Devi and Ganapati. A very big fair is held in honour of the Goddess Rayka Devi on Chaitra full moon day (April). More than 20,000 people attend the same.