Avadi

Avadi (Tamil: [aːʋaɖi]) is a neighbourhood of Chennai, India. It became a new municipal corporation in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and became 15th city corporation of Tamil Nadu in 2019. The neighbourhood lies to the west of Chennai, about 22 kilometres (14 mi) west of Chennai Central Railway Station. It is surrounded by major defence establishments and is home to various universities and engineering colleges. The neighbourhood is served by Avadi Railway Station of the Chennai Suburban Railway. As of 2011, Avadi had a population of 345,996. It is home to the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Ordnance Factory Board (ODF) which houses Engine Factory and Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). It is one of the most populous and developed areas in Thiruvallur.

Avadi
Urban city in Tiruvallur
Avadi
Avadi
Coordinates: 13.12°N 80.1°E / 13.12; 80.1
CountryIndia
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictThiruvallur
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyAvadi Corporation (ஆவடி மாநகராட்சி)
Area
 • Total65 km2 (25 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total345,996
 • Density5,300/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)(Avadians)
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationTN 12(Poonamallee)

The lake in Avadi was known as Paaleripattu, which is now found only in very old land documents.

Etymology

The exact origin of the name 'Avadi' is not known. One version has it that it is the combination of "Aa" (meaning cow) and "Adi or gudi" (meaning place in Tamil), indicating that the place had many cows.

One of the more popular theories about the origin of the name is that it is an acronym for "Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition Depot of India". However, this is most likely a backronym invented more recently. The entity "Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition Depot of India" does not appear in any British records.

Several British documents from the 19th century refer to the place as "Avady", which doesn't match the widely circulated acronym theory.[1] The name Avadi (Avady) was already in use by 1856, when the first public railway was opened in the Madras Presidency. This predates the transfer of the Madras Presidency's arsenal from Fort St. George, India in the city of Madras, to Avadi, which was done sometime after 1870, which contradicts the popular acronym theory.

History

The neighbourhood is part of the "auto belt" that developed when the automobile industry developed in Madras, primarily in the city's industrial north and west regions, in the early post-World War II years.[2]

The famous session of the Indian National Congress was held at Avadi on 10 January 1955.[3] This historical meet emphasised the importance of socialism and its impact on social development. Jawaharlal Nehru with Morarji Desai and other Congress leaders at the AICC session declared that a socialistic pattern of society was the goal of the Congress.[4][5]

Geography

Avadi is located at 13.12°N 80.1°E / 13.12; 80.1.[6] It covers an area of 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi) and has an average elevation of 17 metres (56 ft).

Lake
A view of the Avadi lake

Avadi has a lake called Paruthipattu Lake. Spread over 200 acres and 2.64 kilometres (1.64 mi) in length, the lake is located 23 kilometres (14 mi) away from the city,[7] behind the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) and Thirumullaivoyal. It was once a source of water for farmland irrigation. The body of water attracts many birds throughout the year. However, in the recent decades it has lost most of its area to indiscriminate building and encroachment. The Paruthippattu lake area was renovated with a budget of 32 crores and converted into an eco-park that officially opened on 19 June 2019. The renovation added recreational facilities, a 3-km-long walking track, a central plaza and various greenery, while addressing the issues of encroachment and sewage pollution that had affected the once-neglected lake.[7][8][9]

Waste management

The neighborhood generates about 150 metric tonnes of garbage daily. Together with Thiruverkadu and Poonamallee, Avadi generates about 210 metric tonnes of solid waste from around 120,000 households, which is dumped on a 17.78-acre site in Sekkadu, owned by the Avadi Municipal Corporation. In 2017, the municipality planned to construct 33 decentralized compost processing plants at a cost of ₹ 109.6 million, each with a capacity to convert 4 tonnes of biodegradable waste into manure. Of these, 17 plants were operational as of February 2018.[10]

IT parks and companies

A new Tidel Park, with a built-up area of 500,000 square feet, will be built on a 10-acre land at a cost of ₹ 2,300 million at Pattabiram, Avadi on MTH Road. This is expected to provide jobs for 30,000 people. The Construction work started in August 2020.[11][12] Dell Technology and Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) have shown interest to move to Avadi. iDEX a Central Government IT Company for Defence export invested 1000 crores in Tidel Park Avadi (Pattabiram). Upcoming Tidel Park Avadi allotted 2 floors for iDEX Technology.

In addition to military establishments, Avadi also houses a number of IT/ITES and other service sector-based firms.

Military establishments

The major military establishments with divisions in Avadi are the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), EFA-Engine Factory, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indian Navy, Central Vehicle Depot (CVD), The Ordnance Depot (OD), Unfit Vehicles Park (UVP) and the Ordnance Clothing Factory (OCF).

The Indian Air Force has a Mechanical Transport Training Institute Technical (MTTI) here for training its personnel on driving and repairing vehicles, and also a base repair depot for repair and maintenance of its various equipment. CVRDE undertakes major research on battle tanks and other combat vehicles. MBT Arjuns, armoured ambulances, Combat Improved Ajeyas and Nag anti-tank missiles are some of the recent products from CVRDE. The Heavy Vehicles Factory produces an indigenous version of the T-72 tank known as Ajeya. HVF also produces the main battle tank Arjun. The production of T-90S Bhishma tanks started in 2006–2007. The Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) also has a division in Avadi, the TN 2nd and 5th Battalion.

There was a World War II airfield at Red Hills, Sholavaram, approachable from the junction close to the CRPF Camp, Avadi, immediately after the Military Hospital.

Demographics
Religious census - 2011
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
 
 84.23%
Christian
 
 10.69%
Muslim
 
 4.56%
Jain
 
 0.08%
Sikh
 
 0.07%
Buddhist
 
 0.03%
Other
 
 0.3%
No religion
 
 0.03%
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19515,979—    
196113,050+118.3%
197177,413+493.2%
1981124,701+61.1%
1991183,215+46.9%
2001230,913+26.0%
2011345,996+49.8%

According to the 2011 census, Avadi had a population of 345,996 with a sex-ratio of 970 females for every 1,000 males, well above the national average of 929.[13] A total of 36,091 were under the age of six, constituting 18,419 males and 17,672 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 16.16% and 0.63% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 81.76%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[13] The city had a total of 87,733 households. There were a total of 127,152 workers, comprising 787 cultivators, 1,095 main agricultural labourers, 1,444 in household industries, 111,013 other workers, 12,813 marginal workers, 221 marginal cultivators, 310 marginal agricultural labourers, 449 marginal workers in household industries and 11,833 other marginal workers.[14] As per the religious census of 2011, Avadi had 84.23% Hindus, 4.56% Muslims, 10.69% Christians, 0.07% Sikhs, 0.03% Buddhists, 0.08% Jains, 0.3% following other religions and 0.03% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.[15]

From 229,403 in 2001, the population of Avadi grew to 344,701 in 2011, registering a decadal population growth of 50%.[16]

Places of worship

There are many Hindu temples in and around Avadi. Karumari Amman temple, Chinnamman temple, Nagavalli Amman and Perumal temple are famous temples in Avadi. Many old generation temples are also present in and around Avadi. Thirumullaivoyal, a locality near Avadi, is famous for Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal, an ancient temple of Lord Shiva, as well as Pachaiamman Temple. Vaikundhanaadhar Temple is located near Kovilpathagai; Angaalamman Temple is located on the Redhills road. Sri Venkateswara Perumal Temple in Kamaraj Nagar is a Vaishnavite shrine in Avadi.

A handful of mosques serve a considerable Islamic population in Avadi. There are some churches over 50 years old, including Marthoma Church in Gandhi Nagar, CSI, RC and Orthodox Churches in HVF road. Also, numerous churches have been built in recent years; St Antony's Shrine is a Catholic church located at Avadi Check-post. There is a Jain temple, Vasupujiya Jain Temple, and a Gurudwara in the HVF estate for the Sikhs to worship in Avadi.

Avadi boasts of cultural and religious diversity and has a proud heritage of religious tolerance.

Transport

Railways

Avadi railway station is one of the important suburban terminal stations of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network. It lies on the Chennai Jolarpettai Mainline. Few express trains like Thiruvananthapuram Chennai Mail, Alappuzha Chennai Express, and Tirupati Chennai Garudadri stops at Avadi. The proximity of the MTC bus terminus to the railway station has led many commuters to choose Avadi as a transit point. Avadi railway station has the seventh highest footfall in Southern Railways with numbers exceeding 75,000 per day.

Suburban services

Avadi is connected very well with rest of the city by EMU trains. There are frequent suburban trains from Avadi to Chennai Central, Chennai Beach, Arakonam, Thiruvallur, Tiruthani and Velachery. Some trains originate from here as Avadi has an EMU Shed, which handles the majority of the suburban train operations on the Northern and Western line.[17] The Western line has 229 services a day and the North line has 83, which accounts 312 trains.

Chennai–Tiruttani highway extension

The Tamil Nadu Highways department issued a GO[18] on 4 October 2013 to extending the entire Chennai – Tiruttani highway to 6 lanes at a cost of ₹1.68 billion. The first phase will involve extending the road to 4 lanes – 100 ft with center median and encroachments have already started to be removed.[19] The road junction at Avadi Checkpost connects Avadi Poonamallee road with the CTH road.

Avadi Bus Terminus

Avadi bus terminus is located very near to the Avadi railway station on the Chennai - Thiruvallur High Road (CTH road). The depot is situated beside the bus terminal. Avadi is well connected to various locations of Chennai as well as rural areas surrounding North-western and Western Chennai. The main service provider though is the state-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, few private buses are also available. Frequent buses are available to Ambattur, Anna Nagar west, CMBT, Tambaram, Vandaloor Zoo, Anna Square, Broadway, Poonamallee, Central Railway station, Egmore Railway station, Broadway, Vivekananda House, Mandaiveli, Thiruverkadu, Kunrathur, Redhills, Guindy and Guduvanchery.

Share Autos

Share Autos are one of the popular modes of transport there. Share Autos are mostly spotted near Avadi bus terminal and Checkpost junction. They usually ply between Poonamallee, Karayanchavadi, Pattabiram, Thiruninravur, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam and Koyambedu.

Educational institutions

Avadi has been a place of importance when it comes to educational institutions. Plenty of CBSE and Tamil Nadu State board schools are there in its vicinity.

Schools
  • Government Girls Higher Secondary school
  • Government Boys Higher Secondary school
  • Nabi Crescent Matriculation School, Avadi.
  • Holy Immanuel Matriculation School[20]
  • Holy Immanuel Matriculation School [21]
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya: OCF, AFS, CRPF, and HVF.
  • Air Force School, Avadi
  • Sri Venkateshwara Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary Girls Higher Secondary School
  • Jaigopal Garodia Vivekananda Vidyalaya
  • Vijayanta Higher Secondary School
  • Vijayanta Senior Secondary School
  • Vijayantha Model Higher Secondary School
  • St. Joseph's Matriculation School
  • DAV Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • D. S. Selvam Matriculation School
  • Velammal Vidyalaya
  • VGN Chinmaya Vidhyalaya
  • Sudharsanam Vidyaashram
  • Maharishi Vidya Mandir
  • Aditya Vidyashram
  • Roman Catholic Mission Matriculation School
  • Great Harvest vidyalaya
  • St. Pauls Matriculation School
  • Nazareth Matriculation Higher
  • Veltech Matriculation school

Secondary School

  • The Nazareth Academy
  • Ordnance Clothing Factor school
  • RMK Senior secondary school

Colleges
  • Veltech College of Engineering
  • Murugappa Polytechnic College [22]
  • St. Peter's College of Engineering and Technology
  • Mahalashmi Women's College of Arts & Science
  • Veltech Rangarajan Sangunthala Arts College[23]
  • Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering (Nizara Educational Campus)
  • Nazareth College of Arts and Science[24]
  • Dharmamurthi Rao Bahadur Calavala Cunnan Chetty Hindu College
  • S. A. Engineering College
  • S. A. College of arts and science

State assembly constituency

Avadi is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, India, formed after constituency delimitation.[1] The areas included are Poonamalle Taluk (partially), Pattabiram, Nemilicheri, Thirunindravur (TP), Tiruverkadu (TP) and Avadi (M).[25] It is included in the Thiruvallur parliamentary constituency.

Year Winner Party
2011 S. Abdul Rahim Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
2016 K. Pandiarajan Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

Entertainment

Cinema theatres

Avadi has a handful of movie theaters in its locality:

  • Meenakshi Cinemas
  • Remy Cinemas
  • Kumaran Cinemas
  • Rakki Cinemas

The managing director of Carnival Cinemas, at a press meet during the launch of EVP Carnival Cinemas, Poonamallee, confirmed that EVP Carnival cinemas was coming up with a 5 screen multiplex near Avadi soon. The exact location is not known yet.

References
  1. "The Madras journal of literature and science: 1866". Madras Journal of Literature and Science. 17. 1866.
  2. Muthiah, S. (2014). Madras Rediscovered. Chennai: EastWest. p. 144. ISBN 978-93-84030-28-5.
  3. "The Hindu : Miscellaneous / This Day That Age : dated January 10, 1955: Avadi session of Congress". The Hindu.
  4. "Long way from Avadi". frontline.in.
  5. "Madras Musings - We care for Madras that is Chennai". madrasmusings.com.
  6. "Maps, Weather, Videos, and Airports for Avadi, India". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  7. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/paruthipattu-lake-on-city-outskirts-to-get-eco-park-on-lines-of-chetpet/article25440136.ece
  8. http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/jun/19/avadi-becomes-tns-15th-municipal-corporation-1992128.html
  9. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/eco-park-at-paruthipattu-lake-to-be-ready-by-month-end/article26525987.ece
  10. Lakshmi, K. (21 December 2017). "Local composting gets a fillip". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  11. "State govt to build ₹230-cr IT park in Chennai". The Hindu BusinessLine. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  12. "New IT park in Avadi to provide jobs for 30,000". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. 11 March 2019. p. 3. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  13. "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  14. "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Avadi". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  15. "Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu" (XLS). Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  16. Kalyanaraman, M. (25 October 2011). "Migration Spurs Suburban Sprawl". The Times of India epaper. Chennai. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  17. https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,3,724,726,733,745
  19. "Encroachments along CTH Road removed". The Hindu.
  20. https://www.justdial.com/Chennai/Holy-Immanuel-Matric-School-Avadi/044PXX44-XX44-160804074832-R1V4_BZDET
  21. https://www.justdial.com/Chennai/Holy-Immanuel-Matric-School-Avadi/044PXX44-XX44-160804074832-R1V4_BZDET
  22. http://www.murugappapoly.ac.in/
  23. https://www.veltech.edu.in/vel-tech-profile/
  24. https://ncas.in/nc-as-profile/
  25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120515102633/http://elections.tn.nic.in/forms/int3.pdf
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