# Katihar

Katihar (Hindi pronunciation:; Bengali pronunciation:), is the tenth largest city in the state of Bihar in India in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the eastern part of Bihar. The city situated in the eastern bank of Kari Kosi river. It is the headquarters of Katihar district and Katihar railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway. Historically, it was an important metre gauge railway station in the Bengal Presidency that linked North India with the regions of North Bengal and Northeast India. The main railway station of the city is Katihar Junction, a very important railway station on the Guwahati - Barauni railway line.

## Transport
### Road

Katihar is connected through road network to the neighboring cities of Bihar and West Bengal. Interstate bus services are not available. A highway NH 131A, however, connects it to Purina, from where NH 27, NH 231, NH 12 and NH 31 passes through or starts through. Katihar is near to Bhagalpur

### Air

The nearest airport is located at Purnia Airport near Purnia (30 km), but it is an Airforce station. The nearest commercial airport is located at Bagdogra Airport (160 km) near Siliguri (West Bengal). However, recently the government has announced to open an air force base airport in Chunapur, Purnia to be allowed to use for commercial use. However, it is not operational yet.

### Rail

Katihar Junction is a major strategic Railway Junction under Northeast Frontier Railway which connects North East India with the rest of India.

## Education

Katihar has many education institutions, including:
* Katihar Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir (estd. in 1951; it used to be under WBBSE; now affiliated with CBSE)
* Colonels Academy
* International School of East India
* Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Katihar
* Kendriya Vidyalaya, Katihar
* Manipal public school
* SBP Vidya Vihar
* Scottish Public School, Katihar

### Government colleges

* D.S. College, Katihar
* Govt. Polytechnic, Katihar
* K.B Jha College, Katihar
* M J M Mahila College
* Sita Ram Chamaria College

### Other important institutes

* Katihar Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), a private medical college in Katihar City suburbs, recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI),
* Purnea University
* Suryadeo Law College, Katihar
* Maharshi Menhi Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Katihar

## Demographics

As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565. Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth). Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent. Katihar is at 193rd rank in terms of its population among the top 200 cities of India as per the 2011 census.

### Religion

Religion in Katihar city (2011) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 76.90% | 76.90% |
| Islam | Islam | 22.10% | 22.10% |
| Others | Others | 1.00% | 1.00% |
Hinduism is major religion in Katihar city with 185,196 Hindus (76.9%) and 53,213 Muslims (22.1%). Other religions include 794 Christians (0.33%), 373 Sikhs (0.15%), 221 Jains (0.09%), 70 Buddhists (0.03%) and 960 (0.4%) not stated.

## Climate

The climate of Katihar has widespread rainfall during the monsoons, sometimes bringing floods to the adjoining rural areas of the Katihar District.

## River

* Koshi River - the lifeline of Katihar.
* Ganga River - The Holy river.
* Mahananda River- The Pristine River.
* Righa River - The quiet Companion.
* Buri Gantok River- The Water Ways Connection.