Shalka - Illambazar, Birbhum
Shalka is a village situated in the Illambazar subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal. It is located approximately 12.5 km from the tehsil headquarters in Illambazar and around 32.9 km from the district headquarters in Suri. Sirsha serves as the Gram Panchayat for Shalka village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Shalka is 317950. The village covers a total geographical area of 171.24 hectares and falls under the 731124 pincode. Dubrajpur is the nearest town, located about 16 km away.
Shalka village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head.
Population of Shalka
As per Census 2011, Shalka village has a total population of 1,626 people, consisting of 844 males and 782 females. The village has 334 households and a sex ratio of 926 females per 1,000 males. There are 231 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 1,032 literate and 594 illiterate residents. Additionally, 290 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 84 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Shalka are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,626 | 844 | 782 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 231 | 125 | 106 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 290 | 138 | 152 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 84 | 43 | 41 |
| Literate Population | 1,032 | 571 | 461 |
| Illiterate Population | 594 | 273 | 321 |
Nearby Villages of Shalka
Shalka 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Kona | South | 1.62 km |
| Khagra | West | 1.76 km |
| Paduma | North | 1.78 km |
| Kharui | South-West | 2.09 km |
| Khandagram | North-East | 2.19 km |
| Sunut | South-East | 2.28 km |
| Tarapur | South | 2.83 km |
| Brahmandihi | West | 2.93 km |
| Bodhgram | West | 3.15 km |
| Bhaluka | North-West | 3.16 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Shalka
Shalka is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through shared van services. The nearest railway station is Dubrajpur, while the nearest airport is Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 19.4 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 Dubrajpur to Shalka is about 16 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Suri to Shalka is about 32.9 km, with the usual travel time around 1-1.25 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Shalka
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Shalka village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| ATM | No | Available within 2-5 km |
| Post Office | No | Available within 2-5 km |
Health Facilities in Shalka
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Shalka 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 5-10 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within >10 km |
FAQs about Shalka
Where is Shalka located?
Shalka village is located in Illambazar Subdivision, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Shalka?
The Gram Panchayat of Shalka is Sirsha.
What is the pincode of Shalka?
The pincode of Shalka is 731124.
What is the population of Shalka?
Shalka has a total population of 1,626, including 844 males and 782 females.
How many households are there in Shalka?
There are 334 households in Shalka.
What is the literacy rate in Shalka?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Shalka is 63.47%. Male literacy is 67.65% and female literacy is 58.95%.