Udhana

Udhana ઉધના Navsari
Sub City
Busy Udhna-Navsari Corridor near Khavarnagar Junction
Udhana Location in Gujarat, India
Coordinates: 21°10′04″N 72°50′18″E / 21.1677°N 72.8382°E / 21.1677; 72.8382Coordinates: 21°10′04″N 72°50′18″E / 21.1677°N 72.8382°E / 21.1677; 72.8382
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Surat District
Talukas	Choriyasi
Area
• Total	62 km² (24 sq mi)
Elevation	12 m (39 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	407,970
• Density	6,600/km² (17,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	394210
Vehicle registration	GJ-5
Nearest city	Surat

Udhna is a sub-city of Surat, located primarily on Surat-Navsari Highway in the Indian state of Gujarat.^[1] It is 7 km south of Surat, which is the commercial capital of Gujarat. Udhna is a major railway station in Western India. Udhna is one of India's largest textile manufacturing cities. Udhna is host to more than 700 major and 6000 small scale industries of textile, chemical, pharmaceutical and metal. Due to its industrial importance, the city is considered in the map of major industrial centres of India.

Geography

The city is located at an average elevation of 12 metres (66 feet). The city is also the starting point of Udhna-Palsana Industrial Corridor. The city extends from north near a junction called Kharvarnagar and ends up near Unn Town in south which is almost 12 km long. In west it starts near Bamroli Althan Expressway and ends up near Kharvasa in east which is 14 km.

Its proximity to Surat makes it an excellent place for commercial activities. Many industrialists in Surat have their registered offices and industries in Udhna. Owing to its central location between Surat and Navsari it is well connected by Mumbai and Ahmadabad.

Demographics

As of the 2001 census, Udhna had a population of 407,970. Males constitute 63% of the population and females 37%. Udhna has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 63%. In Udhna, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

About

Udhna was a town which was upgraded as a Nagar Panchayat from Gram Panchayat in 1967. Owing to its industrial development, it witnessed the growth in population, and Udhna Municipality was formed in 1979. Due to the fast development expansion in area was witnessed and thus it adjoined Surat but later 1989 it was incorporated in Surat as a sub-city.

Industrial development

Udhna had been a small municipality the since 1960s. Its first industrial development started with the establishment of Baroda Rayon Corporation. Udhna GIDC was established in 1955 which comes under the purview of GIDC served as a major employment center in vicinity. Many major industries such as Batliboi Corporation, Navin Fluorine International were also established and attracted many to settle here and work.

Economic importance

Udhna is a cosmopolitan dream city for those who comes in search of jobs. Udhna textile industry suffered from the global recession and many people were made redundant which led many workers to move towards their native places but this is slowly being reversed. The industrial artery of Udhna starts from Udhna Gate and ends up at Palsana NH 8 Junction which is a long stretch of 29 km is one of the busiest industrial artery in Asia. region.^[2]

Transport

By road

Udhna is well connected to major cities. Udhna is 8 km from Surat and 287 km from Mumbai. The Udhna–Navsari–Mumbai Highway, which is also known as Southern Express Highway, passes through Udhna. Major Highways passing through Udhna are Udhna–Palsana Highway, Udhna–Navsari Highway, Sachin–Palsana Highway (NH6 Bypass), Udhna–Magdalla Highway.

By rail

Udhna is a major rail stop junction on the Surat-Mumbai railway line.^[3] Udhna is also directly connected to Jalgaon, Dhule, Amravati and Central India by Central Railway line. Udhna Junction railway station is well connected to Central and Western Railways.

By air

The nearest airport is Surat which is 14 km from Udhna.