# Baloda Bazar

Baloda Bazar is a nagar palika parishad in Baloda Bazar district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Its PIN code is 493332. On 15 August 2011, it was declared as a district. Baloda Bazar is also called Cement hub of Chhattisgarh because there are many reputed cement plants like Ambuja Cement Rawan, Nuvoco Cement (Earlier Lafarge Cement) Sonadih, Nu Vista Cement ( Earlier Emami Cement) Risda, Shree Cement Khapradih, UltraTech Cement Hirmi, UltraTech Cement Rawan (Earlier Place Named Grasim), Ultratech Cement Kukurdih (Under Construction), etc.

## Geography

Baloda Bazar is located at 30°40′N 82°10′E﻿ / ﻿30.67°N 82.17°E﻿ / 30.67; 82.17. It has an average elevation of 254 m (833 ft). There are several tourist places in Balodabazaar like Sirpur, Turturia, Giroudpuri, Siddheswr Mandir Pallari and many more.

## Education

The town has two government run colleges, one polytechnic college, a government run high school and over 50 private educational institutions. Some of the prominent schools are Ambuja Vidya Peeth, Sacred Heart Convent School, Vardhman Vidya Peeth, Gurukul English Medium School, Tata DAV Public School ( Located In Sonadih Nuvoco Plant), Bangur Public School (Shree Cement Township). There are no engineering colleges at present. Government Pandit Chakrapani Shukla Multipurpose Higher Secondary School formally known as Government High School was the main high school of the region established in the year 1948. It was inaugurated by Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla.

## Demographics

As of the 2008 India census, Baloda Bazar had a population of 27,853. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Baloda Bazar has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is 84 km (52 mi) from Raipur, 75 km (47 mi) from Mahasamund via Samoda & 60 km (37 mi) from Bilaspur.

## Economy

There are abundance of cement plants, in which there are international plants established in District such as Ultratech in Gram Hirmi and Ravan, Ambuja in Village Ravan, Lafarge in Village Sonadih and Emami in Risda . There has also been a confirmation of getting golden powder in Sonamkhana’s Bagmara village, under Kasdol tehsil, but due to the high cost of production, progress in this direction has not progressed. In Birligarh, Kasdol tehsil and Simga weavers are also made from handloom saris and other fabrics. Various Rice Mill, Dal Mills, Poha are operated in Balouda Bazar, Bhatapara. Rice is also exported abroad, as well as power plants, brass factories and other small and medium industries. The establishment of industrial park after district creation has strengthened the prospect of new industry.

## History

During the period of British governance from 1854 to 1864, Baloda Bazar was incorporated within the Raipur district. Subsequently, in 1864, the region was transferred to the Bilaspur district. Due to administrative challenges, British officials elevated the status of Baloda Bazar to that of a district in 1903, relocating the Tehsil headquarters from Simga to Baloda Bazar. Since then, the development blocks of Simga, Bhatapara, Baloda Bazar, Palari, Kasdol, and Bilaigarh have been included within its jurisdiction. In 1982, these areas were designated as separate tehsils. From an administrative perspective, the British established a rest house, church, hospital, and residence in the village of Parsabhader (mission), located 2 kilometers from Baloda Bazar. In 1920, the Panchayat was instituted in Baloda Bazar following the implementation of the Sanitation Act. Following independence, Baloda Bazar was designated as a Gram Panchayat under the Local Government Act in 1949. In 1973, Baloda Bazar was given the status of Municipality.