Shalkhair - Kushmundi, Dakshin Dinajpur
Shalkhair is a village situated in the Kushmundi subdivision of Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. It is located approximately 5.3 km from the tehsil headquarters in Kushmundi and around 86.1 km from the district headquarters in Balurghat. Kushmandi serves as the Gram Panchayat for Shalkhair village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Shalkhair is 310479. The village covers a total geographical area of 104.86 hectares and falls under the 733132 pincode. Kaliagong is the nearest town, located about 27 km away.
Shalkhair village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head.
Population of Shalkhair
According to the 2011 Census, Shalkhair village had a total population of 138 people, including 67 males and 71 females, living in 32 households. The sex ratio was 1,060 females per 1,000 males. The overall literacy rate was 45.54%, with male literacy at 51.02% and female literacy at 41.27%. The Scheduled Caste (SC) population was 138.
The table below presents a detailed demographic breakdown of the village, including separate male and female figures for each population category.
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 138 | 67 | 71 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 26 | 18 | 8 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 138 | 67 | 71 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Literate Population | 51 | 25 | 26 |
| Illiterate Population | 87 | 42 | 45 |
Nearby Villages of Shalkhair
Shalkhair 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Bhajna | North | 0.80 km |
| Dhandail | South-East | 0.94 km |
| Sibrampur | South-West | 1.31 km |
| Banihari | North-West | 1.54 km |
| Punat | South-East | 1.61 km |
| Nambhail | North | 1.63 km |
| Mangalpur | North-East | 1.65 km |
| Deulbari | South | 1.89 km |
| Mirapara | West | 2.01 km |
| Rasulpur | East | 2.04 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Shalkhair
Shalkhair is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through shared van services. The nearest railway station is Buniadpur, while the nearest airport is Balurghat Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 36.8 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | No | Available within <5 km |
| Private Bus Service | No | Available within <5 km |
| Railway Station | No | Available within >10 km |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Kaliagong to Shalkhair is about 27 km, with a usual travel time of around 1-1.25 hours. Similarly, the road distance from Balurghat to Shalkhair is about 86.1 km, with the usual travel time around ~2.5 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Shalkhair
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Shalkhair 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 2-5 km |
Health Facilities in Shalkhair
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Shalkhair 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 Shalkhair
Where is Shalkhair located?
Shalkhair village is located in Kushmundi Subdivision, Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Shalkhair?
The Gram Panchayat of Shalkhair is Kushmandi.
What is the pincode of Shalkhair?
The pincode of Shalkhair is 733132.
What is the population of Shalkhair?
Shalkhair had a total population of 138, including 67 males and 71 females.
How many households are there in Shalkhair?
Shalkhair had 32 households.
What is the literacy rate in Shalkhair?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Shalkhair was 45.54%. Male literacy was 51.02% and female literacy was 41.27%.