Overview
Anakapalli district is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was formed on 4 April 2022 as part of a reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh, when the state government restructured its administrative map by carving 13 new districts out of the existing 13, taking the total to 26. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Anakapalli, which lies in the coastal Andhra region.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | Coastal Andhra |
| Headquarters | Anakapalli |
| Formed | 4 April 2022 |
| Parent district | Visakhapatnam district (pre-reorganisation) |
Background
Before April 2022, the area now constituting Anakapalli district was part of the larger Visakhapatnam district. The Andhra Pradesh government, under a policy aimed at aligning district boundaries broadly with parliamentary constituencies and improving administrative reach, notified the formation of new districts including Anakapalli. The reorganisation sought to bring administration closer to citizens by reducing the geographical spread of each district.
Anakapalli town
Anakapalli, the headquarters, is a historic town long known as a major trading centre for jaggery in southern India. It lies on the National Highway 16 corridor between Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry, and is served by the Anakapalle railway station on the Howrah–Chennai main line of South Coast Railway.
Geography
The district is situated in the north-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh. It is bordered by Visakhapatnam district to the east, Alluri Sitharama Raju district to the north and north-west, Kakinada and Eluru districts to the south-west, and the Bay of Bengal along part of its eastern flank. The terrain is a mixture of coastal plains and the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, drained by streams that feed into the Sarada and other minor river systems.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, supported by a Superintendent of Police and other line departments of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. For revenue administration, it is divided into revenue divisions and mandals, with mandal-level revenue offices headed by Tahsildars. Local self-government is exercised through gram panchayats in rural areas and municipal bodies in urban centres such as Anakapalli.
Economy
The economy of Anakapalli district is anchored in agriculture, agro-processing, and industry. The Anakapalli region has historically been a leading market for jaggery (bellam) produced from sugarcane grown in the surrounding mandals. Paddy, pulses, and horticultural crops are also cultivated. Industrial activity in the district benefits from its proximity to the Visakhapatnam industrial belt, including pharmaceutical and manufacturing units in areas such as Atchutapuram and Parawada.
Transport
- Road: National Highway 16 (the Chennai–Kolkata corridor) traverses the district, providing connectivity to Visakhapatnam and onward to other parts of the country.
- Rail: The Howrah–Chennai main line passes through the district, with Anakapalle being a notable station.
- Air and sea: The nearest airport and major seaport are at Visakhapatnam, a short distance to the east.
Significance
The creation of Anakapalli as a separate district is regarded as administratively significant for the western parts of erstwhile Visakhapatnam district, which earlier had to depend on the city of Visakhapatnam for district-level services. The reorganisation is intended to improve the delivery of welfare schemes, land administration, and law and order functions in the region.
Related topics
- Anakapalli
- Visakhapatnam district
- Districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
- Coastal Andhra
- Eastern Ghats
- National Highway 16 (India)
References
- Wikidata entity: Q110714857 – Anakapalli district.