Overview
Vikarabad district is a district in the Indian state of Telangana. It was carved out as part of the major reorganisation of districts in Telangana in October 2016, when the state government increased the number of districts from 10 to 31. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Vikarabad, which lies on the Deccan Plateau in the western part of the state.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Telangana |
| Headquarters | Vikarabad |
| Formed | 11 October 2016 |
| Region | Deccan Plateau |
| Parent district (former) | Ranga Reddy |
Background and formation
Before 2016, the area now constituting Vikarabad district was part of the larger Ranga Reddy district. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the formation of Telangana in 2014, the state government undertook a reorganisation of administrative units to bring governance closer to citizens. As part of this exercise, several revenue divisions and mandals were grouped into new districts; Vikarabad was constituted on 11 October 2016 along with a number of other new districts in Telangana.
Geography
The district is located in the western part of Telangana, on the Deccan Plateau, with terrain marked by low hills and forested tracts. It is known for the Ananthagiri Hills, a forested upland region that is the source of the Musi River, which flows eastward through Hyderabad. The hills support reserve forest cover and are a popular destination for short visits from the Hyderabad metropolitan area.
Neighbouring districts
- Sangareddy district to the north
- Ranga Reddy district to the east
- Narayanpet district and parts of erstwhile Mahbubnagar to the south
- Districts of Karnataka to the west
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service. It is divided into revenue divisions and mandals for administrative purposes, with Vikarabad town serving as the headquarters. Important towns in the district include Vikarabad, Tandur, Parigi and Kodangal.
Economy
The economy of Vikarabad district is largely agrarian, with crops typical of the semi-arid Deccan such as paddy, jowar, maize, pulses and oilseeds. The Tandur region is particularly known for two industries:
- Tandur limestone and cement: the area has significant limestone deposits and hosts cement manufacturing units.
- Tandur redgram (toor dal): a locally cultivated variety of pigeon pea that has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Transport
Vikarabad is served by the Vikarabad Junction railway station on the South Central Railway, where the line from Secunderabad branches towards Bidar/Parli and Wadi. The district is connected to Hyderabad by road, and lies within reasonable commuting distance of the state capital.
Notable places
- Ananthagiri Hills – forested hill range and source of the Musi River.
- Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Ananthagiri – an ancient temple associated with the hills.
- Tandur – industrial and agricultural town known for limestone and redgram.
- Kodangal – historic town in the district.
Significance
Vikarabad district is significant within Telangana for its ecological role as a watershed area feeding the Musi River, for its limestone-based cement industry around Tandur, and for the GI-tagged Tandur redgram. Its proximity to Hyderabad has also made Ananthagiri Hills one of the more accessible green retreats in the region.
Related topics
References
- Government of Telangana, notifications on the formation of new districts (October 2016).
- Wikidata entry: Q28170173.