Aizawl

This article is about the municipality in Mizoram, India. For its namesake district, see Aizawl district.
Aizawl
आइजोल
Capital

Montage of Aizawl City
Clockwise from top left: Pachhunga University Entrance gate, Solomon's Temple in Aizawl, Aizawl Bazar, Night View of Aizawl, Lengpui Airport Building
Aizawl

Location of Aizawl in India

Coordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E / 23.72722°N 92.71778°E / 23.72722; 92.71778Coordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E / 23.72722°N 92.71778°E / 23.72722; 92.71778
Country  India
State Mizoram
District Aizawl
Area
  Total 457 km2 (176 sq mi)
Elevation 1,132 m (3,714 ft)
Population (2011)
  Total 293,416
  Density 234/km2 (610/sq mi)
Languages
  Official Mizo
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 796001
Telephone code 0389
Vehicle registration MZ
Sex ratio 1024 females per 1000 males /
Website aizawl.nic.in

Aizawl (English pronunciation: /ˈzɔːl/;[1] Mizo: [ˈʌɪ̯.ˈzɔːl]) is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. With a resident population of 293,416,[2] it is the largest city in the state. It is also the centre of administration containing all the important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat. The population of Aizawl strongly reflects the different communities of the ethnic Mizo people.

History

In 1871-72, the disorderly conduct of Khalkom, a Mizo chief, compelled the British to establish an outpost that later became the Aizawl village.[3] In 1890, officer Dally of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at Aizawl to support Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against the Mizo tribals. On Dally's recommendation, Aizawl was selected as the site of a fortified post that Colonel Skinner had been ordered to construct. The troops constructed stockades and buildings at the site.[4] In 1892-95 Aizawl became accessible from Silchar by fair weather road under the supervision of Major Loch. The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on the town during the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising, following which the MNF withdrew to Lunglei.[5] Until 1966, Aizawl was a large village but the regrouping of Mizo villages after the uprising made it become a larger town and then a city. Aizawl has become the centre of Road network in Mizoram connecting the north and south, east and west. More than 25% of the Mizoram population reside in Aizawl.

Geography

Aizawl is located north of the Tropic of Cancer in the northern part of Mizoram. It is situated on a ridge 1,132 metres (3715 ft) above sea level, with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east.

Climate

Aizawl
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
13
 
 
20
11
 
 
23
 
 
22
13
 
 
73
 
 
25
16
 
 
168
 
 
27
18
 
 
289
 
 
26
18
 
 
406
 
 
26
19
 
 
320
 
 
25
19
 
 
321
 
 
26
19
 
 
305
 
 
26
19
 
 
184
 
 
25
18
 
 
43
 
 
23
15
 
 
15
 
 
21
12
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: WMO

Aizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under the Köppen climate classification, Aizawl features a humid subtropical climate (Cwa) but very rainy. In the summer the temperature ranges from 20–30 °C (68–86 °F), and in the winter 11–21 °C (52–70 °F).[6]

Climate data for Aizawl
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 20.4
(68.7)
21.7
(71.1)
25.2
(77.4)
26.8
(80.2)
26.3
(79.3)
25.5
(77.9)
25.3
(77.5)
25.5
(77.9)
25.7
(78.3)
24.7
(76.5)
23.0
(73.4)
21.0
(69.8)
24.3
(75.7)
Average low °C (°F) 11.4
(52.5)
12.8
(55)
15.6
(60.1)
17.5
(63.5)
18.1
(64.6)
18.9
(66)
19.1
(66.4)
19.1
(66.4)
19.2
(66.6)
18.0
(64.4)
15.1
(59.2)
12.2
(54)
16.4
(61.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 13.4
(0.528)
23.4
(0.921)
73.4
(2.89)
167.7
(6.602)
289.0
(11.378)
406.1
(15.988)
320.4
(12.614)
320.6
(12.622)
305.2
(12.016)
183.7
(7.232)
43.2
(1.701)
15.3
(0.602)
2,161.4
(85.094)
Average precipitation days 0.5 2.1 5.0 8.4 12.8 19.4 19.3 19.6 17.2 10.6 1.8 0.4 117.1
Source: World Meteorological Organization[7]

Cityscape

A panorama of Aizawl taken from Zemabawk

Civic administration

The Aizawl Municipal Council is the authority of civic administration of Aizawl city. It was formed in 2010 with 19 Members when the Congress-ZNP party coalition was voted to power in the state legisative assembly. The AMC office is being administered by one council Chairman, Vice Chairman and three executive members.[8] It consists of 19 elected members representing 19 wards of the city and others appointed by the Governor of Mizoram. One-third of the total membership is reserved for women, these six seats shall be rotated after every five years. The tenure of the council is five years. There is a Ward Committee in every ward that consists of a Chairman, who is an elected councilor from that ward, and two members each from all the local council within the ward. There are 78 local councils having a term of 3 years.[9]

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[10] Aizawl had a population of 293,416. Females constitute 50.61% of the population and males made up the remaining 49.39%. Mizos from various tribes make up the majority of the population. Christianity is the dominant religion in the city.[11] Other religions include Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism

Presbyterians make up the majority of the population. However, there are also significant numbers of the Salvation Army, Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, United Pentecostal Church and Roman Catholics in the city. There are also some cultural based Christian sects. Hinduism and Islam are also represented in very small numbers in the city population.

Economy

The economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The major banks are also located within Aizawl. A 3-star category hotel, Hotel Regency, has recently been inaugurated at Zarkawt, a central location within the city. It provides a much-needed hospitality service for tourists and business visitors to Aizawl.

Transport

Air

Lengpui Airport

Aizawl is connected by air transport through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl. The airport provides connectivity to Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and Imphal Imphal International Airport. Air India, Jet Airways are the two regular airlines which operate flights to and from Lengpui Airport. A helicopter service by Pawan Hans[12] was started in 2012 and connects the city with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Hnahthial.[13] [14]

Rail

Mizoram is connected by railroad up to Bairabi, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with broad gauge railway track, near Aizawl. The government is now planning to start a broad gauge Bairabi Sairang Railway connection for better connectivity in the state.[15] There is also the plan for 5 km long Aizawl Monorail running between Zemabawk to Kulikawn.

Road

Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40 and with Imphal through National Highway 150. The yellow-and-white taxis are widely available; Maruti cars are most widely used. Privately owned blue-and-white mini buses are on regular service as city buses.

Media

Newspaper: The major media in Aizawl in Mizo and English Language are:[16]

  • Mizo Arsi
  • Mizo Express
  • Zawlaidi
  • Zozam Weekly[22]
  • Zoram Thlirtu
  • Sakeibaknei
  • Entlang

Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programmes at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.[23]

Places of interest

The main places of interest in Aizawl are:

Aizawl Bazar Zion Street

Education

Mizoram University Entrance

There are both state and private schools. Parochial schools are run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India (Synod), several Roman Catholic religious orders (St. Paul's, run by the Gabrielite Brothers) and the Seventh-day Adventists (Helen Lowry). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Aizawl, is another school run by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, the school situated close to Zembawk. Other schools include Home Missions School.

Tertiary

Pachhunga University College was among the earliest colleges founded in 1958. Aizawl College, the second oldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Mizoram University established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the Colleges in Mizoram.[27] Indian Institute of Mass Communication and National Institute of Technology Mizoram has already started operations. Plans are being made to start a medical college in Falkawn.[28]

Sports

Lammual

Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. Some of the more important playing facilities in Aizawl are:

  1. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl.[29]
  2. Hawla Indoor Stadium is the largest indoor stadium with basketball, badminton and boxing facilities.
  3. Lammual stadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.[30]
Club Sport League Venue
Dinthar Football Club Football Mizoram Premier League Lammual/Vaivakawn field
Chanmari .F.C. Football Mizoram Premier League Lammual
Mizoram football team Football Santosh Trophy Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui
Aizawl F.C. Football I-League Lammual

Neighbourhoods

  • Armed Veng
  • Armed Veng South
  • Bawngkawn
  • Bethlehem Veng
  • Bethlehem Vengthlang
  • Bungkawn
  • Bungkawn Vengthar
  • Chaltlang
  • Chanmari
  • Chanmari West
  • Chawnpui
  • Chhinga Veng
  • Chite
  • College Veng
  • Dam Veng
  • Dawrpui Veng
  • Dawrpui Vengthar
  • Dinthar
  • Durtlang                           
  • Electric Veng
  • Edenthar
  • Hunthar
  • I.T.I.
  • Kanan
  • Khatla
  • Khatla East
  • Khatla South
  • Kulikawn
  • Laipuitlang
  • Lawipu Veng
  • Luangmual
  • Maubawk
  • Mission Veng
  • Mission Vengthlang
  • North Tuikual
  • Nursery
  • Ramhlun Veng
  • Ramthar                           
  • Republic Veng
  • Republic Vengthlang
  • Salem
  • Saron Veng
  • South Tuikual
  • Tanhril
  • Thakthing
  • Tuikhuahtlang
  • Tuithiang
  • Upper Republic
  • Vaivakawn
  • Venghlui
  • Venghnuai
  • Zarkawt
  • Zemabawk
  • Zonuam
  • Zotlang
  • Zuangtui

See also

References

  1. "Definition of Aizawl". The Free Online Dictionary. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  2. "Aizawl City Population". census2011.co.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  3. K. C. Kabra (2008). Economic Growth of Mizoram: Role of Business & Industry. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180695186.
  4. The Making of Aijal Archived 12 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Hamlet Bareh (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram. Mittal Publications. pp. 206–216. ISBN 978-81-7099-787-0.
  6. "Aizawl - the State Capital". Mizoram. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  7. "World Weather Information Service–Aizawl". World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  8. Chetri, Pratap. "AIZAWL GETS ITS FIRST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  9. Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma. "AIZAWL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". T Romana College. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  10. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  11. Grogan, Paul (31 August 2010). "India: economic growth contrasts with political unrest in a forgotten enclave". The Guardian (London). Archived from the original on 6 June 2012.
  12. "MIZORAMA HELICOPTER SERVICE TUR CHIEF MINISTER IN HAWNG". Mizoram DIPR. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  13. "Nilaini atangin ‘Helicopter Service". The Zozam Times. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  14. "Mizoram Chhunga Helicopter Service Scheduled Thar". DIPR: Govt of Mizoram. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  15. PTI. "Broad gauge track project in Mizoram to be over by March 2015". CNN IBN Live. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  16. "Accredited Journalists". DIPR Mizoram. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  17. "Vanglaini - Mizo Daily Since 1978". vanglaini.org. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  18. "The Zozam Times". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  19. "The Aizawl Post". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  20. "Virthli". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  21. "The Mizoram Post". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  22. "Zozam Weekly". Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  23. "AIR buatsaih FM Zoawi chu le". Vanglaini. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  24. "HMUIFANG TOURIST RESORT". Govt of Mizoram. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  25. "Biggest family: Ziona Chana has 39 wives and 94 children: a world record". worldrecordsacademy.org. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  26. Kohhran, Thianghlim. "Solomon's Temple". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  27. The Mizoram University Act of 25 April 2000 Archived 3 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  28. "CENTRAL HEALTH SERVICES LEH AIIMS DOCTOR TEN CHIEF MINISTER HMU". DIPR. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  29. tirhkahthawla. "Mualpui Stadium Design". misual.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  30. "Lammual-ah Gallery sak hna tan dawn ta". The Zozam Times. Retrieved 16 August 2012.

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