Balara - Kakatpur, Puri
Balara is a village situated in the Kakatpur tehsil of Puri district, Odisha. It is located approximately 2 km from the tehsil headquarters in Kakatpur and around 50 km from the district headquarters in Puri. Kantapada serves as the Gram Panchayat for Balara village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Balara is 409127. The village covers a total geographical area of 429 hectares and falls under the 752108 pincode. Nimapada is the nearest town, located about 22 km away.
Balara village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head. For political representation, the village falls under the Kakatpur Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) constituency and the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) constituency.
Population of Balara
As per Census 2011, Balara village has a total population of 2,783 people, consisting of 1,421 males and 1,362 females. The village has 671 households and a sex ratio of 958 females per 1,000 males. There are 265 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 2,045 literate and 738 illiterate residents. Additionally, 829 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 35 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Balara are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2,783 | 1,421 | 1,362 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 265 | 150 | 115 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 829 | 420 | 409 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 35 | 22 | 13 |
| Literate Population | 2,045 | 1,127 | 918 |
| Illiterate Population | 738 | 294 | 444 |
Nearby Villages of Balara
Balara 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Kuapada | East | 1.44 km |
| Kantapada | North-West | 1.64 km |
| Somanathapur | West | 1.98 km |
| Patasundarpur | North-East | 2.06 km |
| Kakatpur | South | 2.41 km |
| Othaka | South-West | 2.60 km |
| Bhandagarh | East | 2.77 km |
| Praharajapur | West | 3.06 km |
| Suhagpur | North-West | 3.12 km |
| Naranpur | South | 3.12 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Balara
Balara is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through shared auto-rickshaws. The nearest railway station is Jhankad Sarala Road, while the nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 36.7 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Private Bus Service | Yes | Available within village |
| Railway Station | No | - |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Nimapada to Balara is about 22 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Puri to Balara is about 50 km, with the usual travel time around ~1.4 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Balara
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Balara village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| ATM | No | Available within 1-2 km |
| Post Office | No | Available within 1-2 km |
Health Facilities in Balara
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Balara village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | No | Available within 1-2 km |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | No | Available within 1-2 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within 1-2 km |
FAQs about Balara
Where is Balara located?
Balara village is located in Kakatpur Tehsil, Puri district, Odisha, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Balara?
The Gram Panchayat of Balara is Kantapada.
What is the pincode of Balara?
The pincode of Balara is 752108.
What is the population of Balara?
Balara has a total population of 2,783, including 1,421 males and 1,362 females.
How many households are there in Balara?
There are 671 households in Balara.
What is the literacy rate in Balara?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Balara is 73.48%. Male literacy is 79.31% and female literacy is 67.40%.