Podakham - Kesinga, Kalahandi
Podakham is a village situated in the Kesinga tehsil of Kalahandi district, Odisha. It is located approximately 7 km from the tehsil headquarters in Kesinga and around 42 km from the district headquarters in Bhawanipatna. Sirol serves as the Gram Panchayat for Podakham village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Podakham is 422332. The village covers a total geographical area of 434 hectares and falls under the 766012 pincode. Kesinga is the nearest town, located about 9 km away.
Podakham village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head. For political representation, the village falls under the Bhawanipatna Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) constituency and the Kalahandi Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) constituency.
Population of Podakham
As per Census 2011, Podakham village has a total population of 1,074 people, consisting of 544 males and 530 females. The village has 307 households and a sex ratio of 974 females per 1,000 males. There are 159 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 481 literate and 593 illiterate residents. Additionally, 141 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 295 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Podakham are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,074 | 544 | 530 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 159 | 87 | 72 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 141 | 73 | 68 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 295 | 143 | 152 |
| Literate Population | 481 | 299 | 182 |
| Illiterate Population | 593 | 245 | 348 |
Nearby Villages of Podakham
Podakham is surrounded by several neighbouring villages in various directions. The table below lists these nearby villages along with their approximate aerial (straight-line) distances and directions from the village:
| Nearby Village | Direction | Approx. Distance (Aerial) |
|---|---|---|
| Bhanramal | South-East | 1.83 km |
| Sirol | South-West | 1.96 km |
| Bahadurpita | East | 2.00 km |
| Paralsinga | East | 3.01 km |
| Belamal | South-East | 3.09 km |
| Masanibandha | South | 3.24 km |
| Kandel | South-West | 3.48 km |
| Sanrapadar | North-East | 3.96 km |
| Kurlupada | North-West | 4.23 km |
| Jurkabhadi | East | 4.56 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Podakham
Podakham is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through bus services. The nearest railway station is Kesinga, while the nearest airport is Utkela Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 8.2 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| Private Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Railway Station | No | Available within 2-5 km |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Kesinga to Podakham is about 9 km, with a usual travel time of around 15-30 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Bhawanipatna to Podakham is about 42 km, with the usual travel time around ~1.2 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Podakham
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Podakham village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| ATM | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| Post Office | No | Available within <1 km |
Health Facilities in Podakham
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Podakham village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within 2-5 km |
FAQs about Podakham
Where is Podakham located?
Podakham village is located in Kesinga Tehsil, Kalahandi district, Odisha, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Podakham?
The Gram Panchayat of Podakham is Sirol.
What is the pincode of Podakham?
The pincode of Podakham is 766012.
What is the population of Podakham?
Podakham has a total population of 1,074, including 544 males and 530 females.
How many households are there in Podakham?
There are 307 households in Podakham.
What is the literacy rate in Podakham?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Podakham is 44.79%. Male literacy is 54.96% and female literacy is 34.34%.