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About Contai

Contai which is also known by the name Kanthi is located in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal. It is also the headquarters of Contai subdivision . The beautiful city is located about 160 kms away from state capital Kolkata and about 30 km away from the beach town Digha. This town is associated with various historical events. Several theories have come up for the naming of the city itself. Contai is quite popular for its Gandhi mela and cashew nut industry.

About Contai
Dariapur Light House

Origin of Name Contai

According to Valentine’s travelogue Contai derved its name from a harbour named Kendua which was located at a close to Rasulpur estuary. The foreigner for their convenience have said to change its name to Cauntee and then to Contai. There are many theories regarding the origin of the name Contai. As suggested by Mr. Yogesh Chandra Sarkar, the name Kanthi is given due to outstretched sand-dune which runs for about 27 miles from Rasulpur estuary to Peeplipattan. The view of the sand dunes from the sea appeared like a long wall also called as 'Kanth ' in local language. Another theory suggests the origin of the name from an old custom of localites to form Kanths or long walls to keep their habitation safe from wild beasts like tigers, buffaloes and rhinoceroses.

History of Contai

Contai once was part of Hijli Kingdom, a branch of Orissa. It was then ruled by Gopinath Pattnayak. Contai was announced as Sub-Division in the year 1852, comprising of six police stations - Khejuri, Contai,Ramnagar, Egra, Patashpur and Bhagwanpur. However, Negua continued to be the headquarter. Nimak Mahal which was the the salt factory at Contai was in deep crisis in 1863 after which it stopped functioning. Thus, the Sub-Divisional office was relocated from Negua to the shunned Nimak Mahal building in Contai.Bankim Chandra Chottopadhyay, the famous Bengali novel writer, was appointed the Deputy Magistrate of Contai, from January 1860 to November 1860.

Geography of Contai

The geologists suggests that the currrent geographical dimension of Contai is the result of the disastrous floods in the third century AD which created Chilka lake out of the Chilka Bay. The geographical coordinates for Contai are 87°25-88° East longitude and 22°10’35” - 22°36’25” North latitude. The length of Contai from east to west is 65 km and from north to south is 55 km. Contai Sub-division came into existence on the 1st January 1852 spread across a total area of 850 sq miles. It consists of 2201villages or townships, and a total population of 4,42,272 of which 4,20,559 or 95.1 % are Hindus. 21,445 or 4.8% are Muslims and the average density of population is 520 per sq. miles. The total population consists of 52% males and 48% females while the average literacy rate is 78% which is higher than the national literacy rate.

Economy of Contai

Profile of Contai
Economy

Contai is popular for its cashew crop, tourism, processing industries and fishing. The middle class depend on agriculture which is also one of the main driving force for its economy.The land here is also very fertile and therefore boosting agricultural production. However, at times the floods due to Cyclone coming across from Bay of Bengal and torrential Monsoon rain hits the agricultural production. Contai is also known for its salt industry and Cashew Nut Industry.

Administration in Contai

The administration in Contai is taken care by the Contai Municipality. This municipality comes under Purba Medianpur division. Contai Sub-Division comprises of eight blocks of Ramnagar, Kanthi (Contai), Khejuri, Bhupatinagar and Digha. These eight blocks has about 61 gram panchayats. The headquarters of this Sub division is located at Contai. Sri Soumendu Adhikari is the present chairman of this municipal body.The address and contact of Contai Municipality is given below.

Contai Municipality
Address: Deshpran Birendra Nath Sasmal Road,
P.O.Contai,
Midnapore-721401
Phone Number: 953220-255017/255027
Fax: 953220-255599

Legislative Assembly Segments of Contai

The legislative assembly has representatives from all the blocks based on delimitation commission of West Bengal.  The blocks of Contai subdivision are  Contai block- I, II, III,  Khejuri block - I, II and Ramnagar block - I, II.  Kanthi Dakshin assembly constituency is formed by Kanthi-I block and Durmuth and Kusmpur grampanchayats of Kanthi - III block. Kanthi Uttar assembly constituency is formed by other six gram panchayats of Kanthi–III block and Kanthi–II block. Ramnagar assembly constituency is formed by Ramnagar–I block and the Ramnagar–II block while Khejuri assembly constituency is formed by Bhagwanpur–II, Khejuri–I block and the Khejuri–II block .  Scheduled caste have reservations  in Khejuri constituency. The ruling party in Contai is AITC and all the MP'S belonging to Contai constituency are listed below along with their address and contact information.

Sri Sisir Kumar Adhikari, M.P.
Address: Vill. Karkuli,
P.O. Contai,,
Distt. Purba Medinipur - 721401,
Phone Number: 9635958262

Banasri Maity, M.P.
Address: Vill:- Kunworpur, P.O + P.S. :- Contai
Dist: Purba Medinipur
Phone Number: 9434453529

Shri Dibyendu Adhikary, M.P.
Address: Vill :- Karkuli,
P.O. & P.S. Contai, Dist.-Purba Medinipur
Phone Number: 9434005207, 973246933

Judiciary in Contai

Contai also has a sub divisional court located in the city. All the legal matters can be reported to this court.  Although its a level below district court, it has powers to issue certificates on nationality, SC,ST, OBC , conduct revenue cases,. They also maintain records of voters list for election purposes. Registration of marriages is also done in these subdivisional couts. Contai sub divisional court has many judges running this judicial system, the name of which is listed below.

Shri Sukumar Roy, Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Contai.  
Phone Number: 254569 (O), 9830489952 (M)

Shri Shyam Prakash Rajak, Addl. District & Sessions Judge, 2nd Court, Contai.  
Phone Number: 255333 (O), 9474628777 (M)

Shri Diptendra Nath Mitra, Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Fast Track, 1st Court, Contai.  
Phone Number: 256876(O), 9433148027(M)

Shri Abhiram Barman, Addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Contai.  
Phone Number: 255113 (O)

Shri Sudipta Sarkar, Judicial Magistrate, 1st Court, Contai.  
Phone Number: 254369 (O)

Shri Arif Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate, 2nd Court, Contai.  
Phone Number: 255454 (O), 9831135723 (M)

Shri Swarup Kr. Chakraborty, Judicial Magistrate, 3rd Court, Contai.  
Phone Number: 254329 (O), 985428950 (M)

Tourism in Contai

Contai in Purba Medinapur district of West Bengal does not have many tourist spots in the city. However most of the popular tourist spots are situated in a radius of 20 kms of Contai. Contai is a place where you get to see many sand dunes. Kapalkundala Temple near Contai is quite a popular tourist spot and is visted by many devotees.  It is  an ancient temple based on which Bankimchandra's novel is written. Dariapur Light House near Contai is the place where Bankimchandra got an inspiration to write his novel 'Kapalkundala'. Other intersting options to explore around Contai includes Hijli Mosque, Daksin Paikbar, Rajbari, Sankarpur, Junput, Tajpur, Mandarmani, Rasalpur River, Neemkuthi of Contai, Bankiput sea beach, Daisai,Kadua sea beach and many more. Bahiri is another popular archaeological site and has many places to explore like Bora deul and Naga Math.

Travel Agents in Contai

Any help on travelling in and around Contai can be sought from travel agents located in the city. They help you arrange tickets for your buses and Trains as well. Citiq International travels are doing good work in Contai and can be contacted for any travel related queries. List of Travel agents in Contai are listed below.

Sanjog Travels
Phone Number: +(91)-9153136352
Address: Kanthi,
Purba Medinipore,
Majna Road,
Contai - 721401

Citiq International Ltd
Phone Number: +(91)-3220-288287, +(91)-9734389637
Address: Digha Bai Pass,
Sankar Pur, Mondarmoni,
Junput,
Contai- 721401

Mahesh Travels
Phone Number: +(91)-9804070852
Address: Gouri Apartment,
Contai - 721401

Transportation in Contai

Trains in Contai
Kanthi Railway Station

Contai is connected to all nearby cities by road. These cities include Digha, Jhargram, Dantan, Kharagpur, Midnapore, Haldia, Tamluk, Howrah, and Kolkata. There is also railway connectivity to state capital Kolkata and Howrah which is further extended to Digha. This railway connections have given boost to its economy as well. The local transportation in Contai includes buses, taxis and cycle rickshaws as well. The Central Bus-stand in this city has helped in increasing the connectivity and relieved the traffic congestion in the city.

Kanthi P H Railway Station
Station Code : KATI
State Name : West Bengal
District Name : Medinipur East
Taluk Name : Contai-I
Enquiry Number : 139

Culture in Contai

Contai celebrates all the big festivals like Kali pooja, Sarswati pooja and Durga pooja with much enthusiasm.The most popular festival of Contai is Gandhi mela which is held during January or February every year. Many people participate in the industrial and agricultural exhibitions held during the Mela. Many people from Contai and neighbouring subdivisions take part in "Gandhi Mela" not only for amusement but also for agricultural and industrial exhibitions. Contai also has many other cultural institution like Contai Harisabha, Contai Bramho Samaj etc. Madur Silpo and Pital Kansa Silpo are few of the art forms popularly practiced in Contai. Contai also had many contributors to the freedom struggle which included notable personalities like Raghunath Maity, Birendranath Sasmal and Bolai Das Mahapatra.

Healthcare Services in Contai

Hospitals in Contai
Healthcare

Though Contai is not a very big town, it has the medical facilities in reach. People from all nearby small villages come here to get their treatment. Contai Subdivisional Hospital is a government hospital in Contai providing medical assistance to all local people at fairly reasonable cost. They are well equipped to carry out surgeries and scans.They have special departments for orthopaedics, radiology and many other with many doctors working here. Other than this, there are many other private hospitals as well like Mohanpur hospital and Digha general hospital. All the hospitals in Contai are listed below.

Egra SD Hospital
Phone Number: (03220) 245877
Address: Belda Road,
Digha,
Contai- 721429
Near Punjab National Bank

Mohanpur Hospital
Phone Number: (03220) 232204
Address: Egra Road,
Mohanpur,
Contai- 721436
Near State Bank Of India

Digha General Hospital
Phone Number: (03220) 266610
Address: Digha Main Road,
Digha,
Contai- 721428
Near Juma Masjid

Bhabani Clinic
Phone Number: (03220) 247530
Address: 51/3, Raida,
Contai- 721401
Near Municipal Complex

Contai Sub Divisional Hospital
Phone Number: 03220- 257661
Address: P.O. Darua, P.S. Contai, Dist.
Purba Medinipur, 721 401.

S.D.Hospital
Phone Number: :097325 54109
Address: Darua,
Contai,
West Bengal 721401

Chemist in Contai

All your medical treatments are assisted by medicines which are available at medical stores. Contai has many medical stores spread across the city. Some of these medical stores are open 24/7 which helps you in emergency hours. However, do not forget to take your prescriptions along with you when you go to buy medicines.List of all Chemist in Contai are listed below.

Sumita Enterprise
Address: Kanthi Bazar,
Kanthi,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401

Nayak Medical Store

Address: Contai Municipal Market,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401
Phone Number: (03220) 254537

Gopal Pharmacy

Address: Paschim Canalpar,
Kharagpur Bypass,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401

M/S Sabita Medical

Address: Near Bhagwanpur Hospital,
Sahid Sarani,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721601

Pradhan Medical Hall

Address: Paschim Canalpar,
Kharagpur Bypass,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401

Santi Medical

Address: Mecheda Bypass,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401
Phone Number: (03220) 255841

Sahoo Medical Hall
Address: Old Digha Bus Stand (Near Sadhu Jana Pond),
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401

P.P. Medicals

Address: School Bazar,
Contai,
West Bengal - 721401

Emergency Services in Contai

Services in Contai
Emergency Services

Contai is well equipped to help you in case of any emergency. It has two police station out of which one is meant entirely for women. Also they have a town outpost and an emergency force line. Any problem within the city can be reported here. In case of fire outbreak, you can immediately contact Contai fire station and they will be at your service. S.D. hospital in Contai has a blood bank and thus in case of medical emergency, you can contact this blood bank.

Contai Police Station
Category: Police station
Officer in Charge: Mr. Swapan Dutta (S.I.) :
Phone Number: 100 (toll free), 03220-255026
Address: SH 4, Kanthi,
Contai, West Bengal 721401

Contai Town Out Post
Category: Police station
Address: Athilagori,
Contai,
Purba Medinipur - 721401
In-Charge: Mr. Kedarnath Bera (Head Constable),
Mr. Mohan Bhattarya.

Contai Emergency Force Line
Category: Police station
Address: Karkuli,
Contai,
Purba Medinipur - 721401
In-Charge: Mr. Ashok Gupta (Armed Police Inspector),

Contai Women Police Station
Category: Police station
Address: SH 4,
Contai,
West Bengal 721401

Contai Fire Pollice
Category: Fire Station
Address: Dhandighi,
Contai,
West Bengal 721401

Contai Fire Station
Category: Fire station
Address: Near Kishorenagar
Sachindra Shikha Sadan,
Contai,
Purba Medinipur,
W.B. PIN-721 401.
Phone Number: 101 (Toll Free) / 03220 - 255200

Contai S.D. Hospital Blood Bank
Category: Blood bank
Address: P.O. - Contai,
Dist. - Medinipur (E)
Phone Number: 03220254464, 9434101666 (M)

Utilities Services in Contai

Utilities Services in Contai
Utility Services

Contai in Purba Medinipur district has all the basic services available which helps you survive better in this city. They have a post office in the city which helps you connect with the entire world. They also have various saving schemes where you can invest for better future. Contai has two courier service providers named DTDC and Professional couriers and they are doin a great job of delivering all your parcel in no time. It has only one gas connection agency named Upakul gas enterprise wherein you can get a connection for your house in Contai. This city has many petrol pumps located in the city and thus if you are travelling in Contai, then you needn't worry about your fuel in the tank. Most of the highways passing through Contai has petrol pumps located on it. All these services can be benfitted by the locals and travellers. The contact and address of these services are listed below.

Post Offices in Contai

Contai Post Office
Category: Post Office
Address: SH 4, Kanthi,
Contai,
West Bengal 721401

Contai Super Market Sub Post Office.
Category: Post Office
Address: Purba Medinipur,
West Bengal - 721401.

Courier Services in Contai

DTDC
Category: Courier Service
Phone Number: 03220 - 259123 / 9434104647 / 9733666173
Address: Caltex more,
Besides Contai PS,
1ST Floor Midnapur
Contai, West Bengal 721401

The Professional Couriers
Category: Courier Service
Phone Number: 094343 69703
Address: Village Hatabari, PO & PS,
Sreerupa Cinema Road,
District Purba, Meunier,
Contai, , West Bengal 721401

Gas Agencies in Contai

Upakul Gas Enterprise
Category: Gas connecting agency
Phone Number: +(91)-3220-255217, 254256
Address: School Bazar,
Contai - 721401

Petrol Pumps in Contai

Hena Fuel Center
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9734602446
Address: Contai - 721401,
Durmuth,Purba Medinipur

King Filling Station
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9434209398
Address: Contai - 721401,
Mohana Digha,Purba Medinipur

MAA Nachinda Filling Station
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9434023364
Address: Contai Ho, Contai - 721401,
Bhawani Chawk, Contai,
Purba Medinipur

Bhaitgarh Nachinda Skus Coop Society
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9932924484
Address: Contai - 721401, Contai Bye-Pass ,
Contai,
Purba Medinipur

Contai Fuels Center
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9434508451
Address: Contai Bye-Pass Road,
Contai - 721401,
Contai Purba Medinipur

Contai Oil Station
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9733559913
Address:
Contai - 721401,
Near Contai Bus Stand ,
Dharmadasbar Purba Medenip

Sanjay Auto Care Center
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9475426247
Address: Contai - 721401,
Vill-Sari,Dist-Purba Medenipur

Jagdamba Kisan Seva Kendra
Category: Petrol Pump
Phone Number: +(91)-9434610410
Address: Contai - 721401, Marishda,Contai-III,
Purba Medinipur

Contai, not a very big city has the essence of the interiors of West bengal. The warmth of the people her and the magnificent sand dunes will spellbound you. Must visit this place while you travel in West Bengal.

Also Read
Banks in Contai|Hotels in Contai



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