Kakinada (listenⓘ; formerly known as Cocanada) is a port city and municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[7] Situated along the Bay of Bengal, it serves as the headquarters of Kakinada district and is a significant economic and cultural centre in the region. It is the sixth most populous city in the state and is recognised as one of the most liveable and cleanest cities in India among those with a population under one million.[8][9] Nicknamed the "Pensioners' Paradise," Kakinada is known for its well-planned layout and modern infrastructure.[10]
Historically, Kakinada was the most populous city in Andhra by the 1891 Indian census,[11] a distinction it largely held until 1931. During British rule, it was the starting point of the Buckingham Canal.[10] The city is culturally famous for its Kakinada Kaja sweet, and has produced several notable Telugu film personalities. Historically, all Telugu people in countries like Burma and Malaysia were referred to as "Coranghees," a name derived from the nearby port of Coringa, which was a key migration point in Andhra.[12][13]
Kakinada's economy is driven by industries such as fertilizer production, natural gas extraction, edible oil refineries, and food processing. It is also a growing hub for information technology and power generation. Kakinada plays a vital role in the Krishna-Godavari Basin as a key centre for petrochemical companies. The city features both an anchorage port and a deep-water port, playing a crucial role in exporting seafood and agricultural products.[10]
The name "Kakinada" has multiple theories regarding its origin. One theory suggests that it is derived from the Telugu word Koka or Coca, which refers to saree products that were stored and exported by the Dutch when the city served as a Dutch settlement. Another theory links the name to Kakulavada, meaning "abode of crows," referencing the birds that were often seen catching fish along the shore. A third theory associates it with Kakasura, a mythological figure from the Ramayana. Additionally, some believe the name was derived from Kakichika, an ancient ruler of Vengi region.[16][17]
During British rule, the city was known as "Cocanada." Some believe the name "Cocanada" was modified by the British East India Company from "Co-Canada" for convenience, as the original name was considered difficult to pronounce. The city was also referred to as "Coringa," a name derived from its proximity to the Koringa River.
The name "Cocanada" gained prominence with the establishment of the first Canadian Baptist Mission in the area under British administration. After India gained independence, the city was officially renamed Kakinada.
History
Dutch settlement at Jaggernaickpuram
During the Dutch colonization of the east coast of India, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a trading post in the area known as Jaggernaickpuram (variously spelled), in present-day Kakinada. On 25 September 1734, Haji Muhammad Hussain, the Nawab of Rajamundry, granted a parwana and kaul to the Dutch, officially transferring the hamlet of "Jagernaykpalam" to the VOC for the construction of a trading lodge.[18] It was ceded to the British in 1825.[19]
Establishment and decline of Coringa port
In 1759, the British established a shipbuilding and repair facility in the area, which came to be known as Coringa Town, located on the Coringa River, a branch of the Godavari River. The town soon became a significant seaport and shipbuilding hub on the Coromandel Coast. In 1802, a dock was constructed to repair Royal Navy and other vessels, becoming the only wet dock between Bombay and Calcutta. Historically, Coringa was the only location between Calcutta and Trincomalee capable of docking and repairing large ships.[20] The area, including Cape Cori (now known as Hope Island), gained international recognition for its shipbuilding and repair capabilities.[21]
The town's coastal location, however, made it vulnerable to frequent storms and inundations. In 1784, a sea rise caused vessels to drift as far inland as Rajahmundry.[20] Coringa also suffered significant damage from various storms, including a devastating storm in 1789 that claimed 20,000 lives, and another in May 1832 that further damaged the area.[22][23] The most catastrophic of these was the cyclone of 25 November 1839, which had a storm surge estimated at 40 feet. This cyclone completely destroyed the port and around 20,000 vessels killing over 300,000 people across the region.[24] This event was one of the first to be cited by Henry Piddington, who coined the term "cyclone" to describe such phenomena.[25]
After the 1839 disaster, Coringa's port never fully recovered, and homes were relocated further inland.[26] By the 1870s, the river had become too shallow, and the approaches too difficult, limiting the town's role to servicing only small craft. Despite this decline, Coringa continued to maintain some trade connections, particularly with Moulmein and Rangoon.[12] By 1901, silting in the estuary rendered the port inaccessible to large ships, and by 1905, shipbuilding activities ceased, leading to the eventual closure of the port.[27][28]
Growth of Cocanada
With the silting of Coringa Bay, Kakinada, then known as Cocanada, emerged as a prominent port, replacing Coringa. Its strategic location and growing exports established it as a significant trade centre in the 19th century.[19] Regular steamer services, initiated in 1858-59, connected the town to Madras, Rangoon, and Calcutta, facilitating trade. By the 1860s, the British India Steam Navigation Company began regular maritime operations in the region.[29]
The American Civil War (1861–1865) boosted Kakinada's prominence as a major shipping hub for cotton pressed in Guntur.[19][29] In 1865, infrastructure developments included an iron-girder bridge linking Kakinada with Jagannadhapuram[29] and a lighthouse to support maritime activities.[30] These improvements bolstered trade and communication in the region.[29]
Kakinada was established as a municipality in 1866, reflecting its growing importance.[31] The European Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1868, represented European firms, while the native Chamber of Commerce worked alongside it to promote trade.[32] The local economy thrived on exports of cotton, gingelly oil seeds, sugar, and rice, while imports included iron and copper.[29] The town also became a centre for publications, including the Cocanada Advertiser, a mercantile newspaper, and Suddhiranjani, a Telugu weekly.[29] The Pithapuram zamindar established a middle school in 1852, which was elevated to a second-grade college in 1884, becoming Pithapur Rajah's College. It soon emerged as a prominent educational institution.[19]
By 1871, Kakinada's population reached 17,839, with Hindus making up 94% of the populace. Over the next decades, the population grew significantly, increasing by 61.8% between 1871 and 1881, and 40.5% between 1881 and 1891.[11] By 1891, Kakinada's population reached 40,553, making it the most populous city in Andhra.[11] It retained this position until 1921 when it briefly fell to second place with a population of 53,348, narrowly surpassed by Rajahmundry's 53,791 residents.[33][34][35] However, Kakinada reclaimed its status as the region's largest city by 1931, with its population rising to 65,952.[36]
By the early 20th century, Kakinada had become a thriving commercial hub with prominent European and native merchants, including firms like Ralli Brothers, Gordon, Woodroffe & Co., and Volkart Brothers. The port played a crucial role in trade within the Godavari district and its hinterlands, and even with parts of the Nizam's Dominions.[37] Local industries, such as rice mills, cheroot factories, and salt works, supported by companies like Simson & Co. and Innes & Co., contributed to the town's economic growth.[37] But, its economy remained primarily focused on shipping.[19] The port’s exports included cotton (to the UK, France, and Belgium), oilseeds (to France and the UK), rice (to Sri Lanka and Mauritius), and tobacco (to Rangoon), while imports included cotton goods, gunny bags, rice, and kerosene.[19]
In 1923, Kakinada hosted the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting from December 28 to January 1, 1924. The event became notable for a controversy over the rendition of Vande Mataram, which highlighted religious sensitivities of the time.[38]
During World War II, on April 6, 1942, Kakinada was targeted by a Japanese air raid. A single aircraft attacked the port, damaging two ships and causing casualties, including one death and five injuries. This marked one of the earliest Japanese air raids on India's eastern coast during the war.[39]
District reorganisation
In 1823, during British rule, the District of Rajahmundry was created within the Madras Presidency.[40] In 1859, it was reorganized, leading to the creation of the Godavari and Krishna districts. Rajahmundry served as the headquarters of Godavari district until 1925, when the district was bifurcated into East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Kakinada became the headquarters of East Godavari, while Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari. On 4 April 2022, East Godavari was further bifurcated, resulting in the creation of Kakinada district, with Kakinada as its headquarters.
Today, Kakinada is a prominent port city, known for its industrial and economic significance in the Andhra Pradesh state. It remains a vital centre for trade, maritime activity, and culture in the region.
The city is divided into two regions, connected by bridges. The southern part, Jagannadhapuram, is separated from the main city by the Buckingham Canal.[43] The canal and its branches form Medaline Island,[44] which borders the city to the southwest.
Kakinada features an industrial belt that runs north–south, separating the eastern part of the city from the coast.[45] To the southeast, Kakinada Bay and surrounding marshlands are home to India's second-largest mangrove forest, which includes the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.[46] The Gouthami, a branch of the Godavari River, flows into the Bay of Bengal near the city.
Climate
Kakinada experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw) , characterized by hot and humid conditions throughout most of the year. The hottest period occurs in late May and early June, with maximum temperatures ranging from 38°C to 42°C (100°F to 108°F). January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures of 18°C to 20°C (64°F to 68°F). The city receives most of its rainfall during the southwest monsoon, though it also gets significant rainfall from the northeast monsoon between mid-October and mid-December. Kakinada is frequently affected by cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal.[47]
Prevailing winds are from the southwest for most of the year, except from October to January when they shift to the northeast. The city's average annual rainfall is between 110 and 115 centimetres (43 to 45 inches).
Climate data for Kakinada (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)
Source 2: Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)[50]
Demographics
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1871
17,839
—
1881
28,856
+61.8%
1891
40,553
+40.5%
1901
48,096
+18.6%
1911
54,110
+12.5%
1921
53,348
−1.4%
1931
65,952
+23.6%
1941
75,140
+13.9%
1951
99,952
+33.0%
1961
122,865
+22.9%
1971
164,200
+33.6%
1981
226,409
+37.9%
1991
279,875
+23.6%
2001
327,541
+17.0%
2011
384,128
+17.3%
As of 2011 Census of India, Kakinada had a population of 443,028, with 222,461 males and 220,567 females.[51] The Kakinada Urban Agglomeration also had a population of 443,028, comprising 217,459 males and 225,569 females, including the city's outgrowths.[52] Kakinada ranks as the 115th largest city in India by population and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Andhra Pradesh.[53]
Kakinada's economy primarily relies on industry, agriculture, and fishing. Key agricultural products include paddy and coconut, while the industrial sector is dominated by edible oil refineries, fertilizers, and natural gas production.[10] In the late 1940s, around the time of Indian independence, the city had minimal industrial activity, with its economy centered on agriculture and fishing.[56] By the early 1980s, before the establishment of fertilizer companies, the local economy expanded to include the textile industry, auto parts manufacturing, steel-related ancillary units, alongside its traditional reliance on agriculture and fishing.[42]
Kakinada port
Hope Island, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the coast, makes Kakinada Port a natural harbour.[57] It is home to two ports namely, an Anchorage port and a Deep-water port (and also third port is going to be constructed in KSEZ which will be Greenfield Seaport ).[58] Kakinada's deep-water port is the second-largest in the state (after Visakhapatnam port) and the first in the country to be built in a public-private partnership, in 1996 It is operated by Kakinada Seaports.[59] Before the deep-water port was built, the Anchorage port was the largest of India's 40 minor ports.[60]
Kakinada's principal exports include seafood (Prawns, Shrimp, Fish) and related products, agricultural products (including rice and corn),[61] oilmeals, processed food products, chemicals, iron ore, bauxite powder and biofuel. Imports include chemicals, edible oils and agricultural products[62] (including wheat and sugar).
Industrial sector
A number of industries and edible oil refineries, and serves as a base for a thriving oil and gas industry for the state of Andhra Pradesh are established at Kakinada.[10]
Agro−products
Coconuts are exported by several companies in and around Kakinada. The Murugappa Group-owned EID Parry (India) and Cargill International joint venture, Silk Road Sugars, has a port-based stand-alone sugar refinery in Kakinada with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes.,[63][64]
Edible oil refineries and biofuel plants
In 2002, several edible-oil refineries were established in Kakinada, with a refining capacity of 3,000 tons per day; they include Acalmar Oils and Fats (taken over by Adani Wilmar), Ruchi Infrastructure and Nikhil Refineries. The port facilitates the importation of crude palm and soybean oil.[65]
Vakalapudi Industrial Park has attracted over $10 million in investment from biodiesel companies such as Reliance Industries, Natural Bioenergy and Universal Bio Fuel.[66][67] Andhra Pradesh has entered into an agreement with Reliance Industries for jatropha planting. The company selected 200 acres (81 ha) of land in Kakinada to grow jatropha for quality biodiesel fuel.[68]
Information technology
Ratan Towers in ADB Road, Kakinada where companies such as Krify, Avineon are operating
Kakinada is a tier-II city. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) established a facility here in 2007. Since then, several IT companies have come up in the city, mainly due to its educated workforce available in the city.[69]
Nearly, 35 Software and IT companies are operating from Kakinada, including Krify,[70] Avineon, Cyient.[71]
An IT Association by the name "Godavari IT Association of East and West Godavari districts" (GITA) which an association of IT companies in the twin Godavari districts is formed in 2008 which is based in the city.[72] Since 2016, GITA is merged with "IT Association of Andhra Pradesh" (ITAAP) forming a separate chapter called ITAAP Godavari Chapter.[73]
Power generation
There are several power plants in and around Kakinada. Spectrum Power Generation has a 208-MW plant and was one of the first Independent Power Producers in the country. The company is planning to expand its capacity to 1350 MW in phases. Tenders for a 350-MW expansion have been requested.[74] A 220-MW power station (being expanded to 2400 MW at a cost of Rs 100 billion) owned by Reliance Energy[75] and a 464-MW combined-cycle power plant by GVK Group are in operation at Samalkota (Kakinada Rural). These plants supply electricity to the state's transmission utility, AP Transco, under a power purchase agreement.[76]
Natural gas and petroleum
Kakinada is the base for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's Eastern Offshore Asset. Several oil companies use Kakinada for oil and gasoline shipments. Baker Hughes and Schlumberger are field-development companies working on offshore natural-gas fields near the city. The Krishna Godavari Basin is considered the largest natural gas basin in India.[77] Significant discoveries of oil and natural gas were made by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and Reliance, which has been extracting gas from its KG D6 block off the Kakinada coast. Reliance has an onshore terminal in Gadimoga, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kakinada, to process and distribute gas to other parts of the country. Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure (RGTIL) has built a 1,440-kilometre (890 mi) pipeline from Kakinada to Bharuch (Gujarat) to transport 120 million cubic meters per day (mcmd) of natural gas from the Krishna-Godavari fields (owned by Reliance Industries)[78] across India to its west coast. In 2010, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board awarded Kakinada's gas-distribution project to Bhagyanagar Gas, a consortium of GAIL and Hindustan Petroleum.[79]
Kakinada Beach Festival (also Sagara Sambaralu) is a music festival held in Kakinada.[80] It was declared as an annual festival by the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2012.[81] It is a three-day event where many artists perform.[80][82]
In addition to its contributions to cinema, Kakinada is also the hometown of Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari[90] and the freedom fighter Baru Alivelamma.[91]
Kakinada has been a significant hub for Telugu literature, hosting numerous scholars, poets, and historians who have contributed extensively to the language and its history. The Sri Suryaraya Andhra Nighantuvu, considered the most comprehensive monolingual Telugu dictionary, was first published in its initial four volumes by the Andhra Sahitya Parishad in Kakinada between 1936 and 1944.[92] This monumental work, featuring over 1.1 lakh words, provides detailed information about word origins, meanings, synonyms, and historical usage in literature, showcasing the city's pivotal role in advancing Telugu linguistic studies.[93]
Kasibhatta Brahmaiah Sastry (1863–1940), a notable Sanskrit and Telugu scholar, was among the eminent figures in Kakinada's literary landscape. Another celebrated personality, Garikapati Narasimha Rao, earned the title Maha Sahasravadhani for performing one thousand Avadhanam feats, a challenging Telugu poetry competition. He also authored the epic poem Sagaraghosha, adding to his reputation as a literary luminary.[94]
Modern contributions to Telugu literature include Ryali Prasad, a poet, short story writer, and historian. He authored 32 epic poems and historical works, delving into various subjects, including the history of Kakinada. His notable works include Kakinada Charitra, a comprehensive history of the city. Prasad was also skilled in performing Telugu Avadhanam in free verse poetry, exemplifying his versatility as a writer. Bolloju Baba, a contemporary poet and historian residing in Kakinada, has further enriched the region's literary heritage. He has authored 11 books, six of which focus on literature and the remaining on history. His works include Ancient Cities of East Godavari and Yanam under French Colonial Rule, which highlight the historical and cultural significance of the region.
Transport
The city has various modes of transport in terms of road, rail and sea.[10] Previously private city buses and rickshaws used to dominate the roads but after massive amount of urbanisation the primary mode of intra-city public transport is auto rickshaws and there are about 7,000 of them being operated in the city limits with an additional of 3,000 from the surrounding settlements.[95] Non-transport vehicles cover, Motorcycles, bicycles.[96] For cyclists and motorists, there are planned cycling paths, bicycle sharing stations,[97] and bike hiring outlets.[98]
Roadways
Kakinada is connected by road to the rest of the state and other cities of India by means of National Highways. National Highway 216 which stretches from Kathipudi to Ongole passes through Kakinada. The bypass road is under construction which reduces the traffic in the city[99] It is a well planned city with Grid type Road network.[10] The city has a total road length of 719.21 km.state highway 42 connects Kakinada with other cities. ADB Road and Canal Road connects Kakinada with Rajamahendravaram. Government is going to construct a new national highway to Tuni along coast under Sagaramala scheme.[100]
SCR operates its carriage and Wagon depot which is one of the medium-sized depots in Vijayawada division. It's the second station after Vijayawada Junction railway station to have Intermediate Overhauling IOH shed for all types of coaches.[104]
The nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport which is 55 km from the city. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) operates an Aerodrome at Gadimoga in the city. Cocanada was a stop by Francesco de Pinedo of the Regia Aeronautica and his mechanic, Ernesto Campanelli, during Pinedo's 1925 Rome- Australia-Tokyo-Rome flight.[105][106]
One of the entrance gates of JNTU, KakinadaEntrance of Rangaraya Medical College
Kakinada, known as an educational hub in Andhra Pradesh, provides a wide range of primary, secondary, and higher education options. Primary and secondary education in the city is offered by government, aided, and private schools under the School Education Department of Andhra Pradesh, with instruction available in both English and Telugu.
The city and its surrounding areas are home to numerous professional institutions offering courses in fields such as engineering, medicine, information technology, and management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Among these institutions, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada (JNTU Kakinada), stands out. Originally established as Vishakapatnam College of Engineering on former military land, it offers a variety of engineering programs and includes a business school.[107]
Rangaraya Medical College, established in 1958 by Dr. M. V. Krishna Rao and Dr. Datla Satyanarayana Raju, is another prominent institution in the city.[108] Initially supported by donations, including land and financial contributions from various benefactors, the college became a fully government-run institution by 1981. The Government General Hospital, Kakinada serves as its teaching hospital.[109]
The Andhra University Postgraduate Centre, founded in 1977, provides higher education in Kakinada. It is located on a 50.93-acre (20.61 ha) campus in Thimmapuram, approximately six kilometers from Kakinada Town Railway Station. Andhra Polytechnic, one of the oldest educational institutions in the city, was established in 1946 by the British Indian government on land donated by M. S. N. Charities in Jagannaickpur.[110][111]
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Godavari delta, Hope Island, India, a sandspit formed by the Godavari, Konaseema, scenic Godavari delta islands. It is the second-largest mangrove forest in India after Sundarbans.[46] Uppada beach is primarily considered as Kakinada beach which is having one of longest coastlines in Indian beaches.[113] Kakinada beach is meant for its mild blue waters and cold breeze all the day.
Bhavanarayana Swamy temple in Sarpavaram in Kakinada suburbs is a historic temple renowned for its mythological significance, intricate architecture, and historical inscriptions dating back to various dynasties.[114] It is recognized as one of the State Protected Monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Andhra Pradesh.[115] The Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple is a famous temple located within the city. The temples of Suryanarayana Swami and Kodandarama are located at G. Mamidada which is 20 km from the city.[116]
Sports
Cricket is the most popular game in the city, followed by badminton and athletics. Kakinada is home to a number of local cricket teams participating in district and zone matches,[117] with a stadium used for Ranji Trophy matches. The East Godavari District Sports Authority has a sports complex in the city with an indoor stadium and swimming pool. Indian international Hanuma Vihari hails from Kakinada.[118]
^ abcdefCotton, James Sutherland; Burn, Sir Richard; Meyer, Sir William Stevenson; Meyer, William (1908). Imperial Gazetteer of India. Vol. X. Clarendon Press. pp. 338–340.
^"Kakinada Profile". Kakinada Municipal Corporation. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
^Janaki, Dr. Komanduri (1999). Role Of Women In Freedom Struggle In Andhra Pradesh (1st ed.). Hyderabad, India: Neelkamal Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 82.
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