Benikandar - Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur
Benikandar is a village situated in the Islampur subdivision of Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal. It is located approximately 7.6 km from the tehsil headquarters in Islampur and around 76.6 km from the district headquarters in Raiganj. Matikunda-ii serves as the Gram Panchayat for Benikandar village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Benikandar is 309037. The village covers a total geographical area of 678.25 hectares and falls under the 733202 pincode. Islampur is the nearest town, located about 25 km away.
Benikandar village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head. For political representation, the village falls under the Islampur Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) constituency and the Raiganj Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) constituency.
Population of Benikandar
As per Census 2011, Benikandar village has a total population of 2,901 people, consisting of 1,492 males and 1,409 females. The village has 569 households and a sex ratio of 944 females per 1,000 males. There are 560 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 1,102 literate and 1,799 illiterate residents. Additionally, 1,096 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 229 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Benikandar are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2,901 | 1,492 | 1,409 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 560 | 275 | 285 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 1,096 | 556 | 540 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 229 | 113 | 116 |
| Literate Population | 1,102 | 702 | 400 |
| Illiterate Population | 1,799 | 790 | 1,009 |
Nearby Villages of Benikandar
Benikandar 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Benikandar Alias Satvita | East | 1.52 km |
| Gangamaila | North-West | 1.70 km |
| Daribhir | North-West | 2.20 km |
| Bhelagachhi | North-East | 2.76 km |
| Sahatpur | North | 2.89 km |
| Amalijhari | North | 3.02 km |
| Gunabari | South-West | 3.33 km |
| Kunargaon | North-West | 3.74 km |
| Bijekhor | North | 4.03 km |
| Kadigaon | North-West | 4.13 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Benikandar
Public transport in the Benikandar is mainly available through shared auto-rickshaws. The nearest railway station is Gunjaria, while the nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 48.3 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | No | Available within >10 km |
| Private Bus Service | No | Available within >10 km |
| Railway Station | No | - |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from Islampur to Benikandar is about 25 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Raiganj to Benikandar is about 76.6 km, with the usual travel time around ~2.2 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Benikandar
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Benikandar village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| ATM | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| Post Office | No | Available within 5-10 km |
Health Facilities in Benikandar
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Benikandar village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | No | Available within >10 km |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | No | Available within >10 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within >10 km |
FAQs about Benikandar
Where is Benikandar located?
Benikandar village is located in Islampur Subdivision, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Benikandar?
The Gram Panchayat of Benikandar is Matikunda-ii.
What is the pincode of Benikandar?
The pincode of Benikandar is 733202.
What is the population of Benikandar?
Benikandar has a total population of 2,901, including 1,492 males and 1,409 females.
How many households are there in Benikandar?
There are 569 households in Benikandar.
What is the literacy rate in Benikandar?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Benikandar is 37.99%. Male literacy is 47.05% and female literacy is 28.39%.