Itanagar

Itanagar is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The seat of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the seat of government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the seat of Gauhati High Court permanent bench at Naharlagun are all in Itanagar

Geography

Itanagar is located at 27.1°N 93.62°E. It has an average elevation of 320 metres.

Climate

Itanagar features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa), with dry, mild winters and warm, wet summers.

Culture[edit]

People

Itanagar is inhabited by a number of tribes viz., Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Tagin, Galo, Nyishis are the aborigines of the city.

Places of interest

• Ita Fort, one of the most important historical sites in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The name literally means “Fort of bricks”( brick being called “Ita” in the Assamese language). The Ita Fort was built as early as the 14th or the 15th century. The fort has an irregular shape, built mainly with bricks dating back to the 14th-15th Century. The total brickwork is of 16,200 cubic meter lengths which have been identified by some scholars with the Chutiya kingdom. The fort has three different entrances at three different sides, which are western, eastern, and southern sides.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar is also known for showcasing the rich tribal culture of the state.
• Gekar sinyi (Ganga Lake) is a beautiful natural lake which literally means confined lake in the Nyishi dialect. It is surrounded by a landmass of hard rock. Primeval vegetation, orchids masses on tall trees and tree ferns contribute to its popularity as a hot picnic spot and recreation hub. Boating facilities and a swimming pool are available at the site.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Itanagar had a population of 59,490. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Itanagar has an average literacy rate of 66.95%, lower than the national average of 74.4%: male literacy is 73.69%, and female literacy is 59.57%. In Itanagar, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transportation

Air

Regular helicopter service is available from Guwahati to Naharlagun (Itanagar). Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the greenfield Itanagar Airport at Hollongi on 9 February 2019.

Road

National Highway 415 connects Itanagar to Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of the country. Regular bus and taxi services are available from Guwahati and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

Railway

Naharlagun railway station is the nearest railway station, which is nearly 15 km. away from the city. Taxi and bus services are easily available from the railway station to Itanagar. Donyi Polo Express can be availed which runs on all days of a week from Guwahati and Shatabdi Express is available thrice a week from Guwahati. The Arunachal AC Superfast Express runs between Naharlagun and Anand Vihar Terminal twice a week which is the only direct train that connects Arunachal Pradesh with the Capital of Nation.

Media and communications

Television

DD Arunprabha is the state-owned television broadcaster of Arunachal Pradesh.

Radio

Radio stations of Itanagar are – All India Radio, RadioCity Itanagar – Arunachal Pradesh’s first community radio and Big FM 92.7 – India’s largest national radio network .

Newspapers

• The Arunachal Times
• Echo of Arunachal
• Dawnlit post

Education

Universities and colleges

• NERIST
• National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh
• Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic
• Rajiv Gandhi University
• Himalayan University
• Dera Natung Government College
• Don Bosco College