History and Growth of the Town
Formation of the GOBICHETTIPALAYAM MUNICIPALITY
This Municipality was constituted on 01.10.1949 as III grade as per G.O.Ms.No.1948 (Local Administration Department) dated 12.08.1949 with effect from 01.10.1949 and has Elevated to Grade II as per G.O.Ms.No.194 (Local Administration Department) Dated 10.02.1970 and to Ist Grade with effect from 01.10.1977 as per G.O.Ms.No.1532 (R.D & L.A) dt.21.09.1977, and to Selection Grade as per G.O.Ms.No.238 (MA&WS) dt 02.12.2008
Brief History
LOCATION
Gobichettipalayam is an important town in the North- Western part of Erode District and is Taluk Head Quarters too. It is situated between 11.46° latitude and 77.26° longitude and at 213M above M.S.L. It is about 40 km from District headquarters.
The town which is a Grade I Municipality, Extends over an area of 7.5 sq.k.m. covering the whole of Veerapandi village and parts of Lakkampatti and Modachur villages. It is well connected by two State Highway roads passing through the center of town, which connects Erode and Sathiyamangalam and also Gobichettipalayam and Dharapuram.
The Town serves as an important source of supply for agricultural in-puts and implements to the adjoining areas.
As of 2001 India census, Gobichettipalayam had a population of 55,150. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Gobichettipalayam has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Gobichettipalayam, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age
The total length of roads in Gobichettipalayam town is 67.604 K.M. out of 6.60 K.M. of roads belong to the State Highways Department and the remaining 61.004 K.M. belong to the Municipality.
The Municipality Maintain 2403 Number of Street lights.
Protected Water Supply Scheme is available in this town which was executed in the year 1958. The source of water is from the Bhavani River flowing at about 6 K.M. from the town. The Head Works is situated on the Bank of the river Bhavani in the village called Kodamedu. The water pumped to the elevated reservoirs situated at various places within the Municipal limit. The total number of over head tanks are 6 and the total length of distribution mains were 77.60 K.M. On the way from Head Works, water is also supplied to Lakkampatti Village.
The major sources of revenue for this Municipality are property tax, Profession Tax, Water Charges, and rental income from shops.
The Municipality Maintains one bus stand, one weekly sandy, one daily market and shopping complexes at prime location of the town.
The Gobichettipalayam Local Planning Authority was constituted as per G.O.Ms.No.650 (R.D. & L.A) dated 08.04.1975 and the area was notified in G.O.Ms.no.687 (R.D.& L.A) dated 18.03.1974,
In order to control and regulate the development in Gobichettipalayam Planning Area.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Gobichettipalayam is well connected by two main roads (major district roads) passing through the center of the town. One connecting Erode and Sathiyamangalam and another connecting Gobichettipalayam and Dharapuram.
The Primary and tertiary activities are the Main Function of Gobichettipalayam town. This town can be considered as Bi-Functional Town. The work force constitutes about 38% of the population 31% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, 13% in small industries (Small Scale and Cottage) and 56 % in trading and other activities. There are no major industries within the jurisdiction of the local body. The town serves as an important source of supply for agricultural in-puts and implements and other services to the adjoining areas.
SOIL CONDITION
Gobichettipalayam Town comprises three revenue villages namely “VIRAPANDI” and parts of other villages viz. “LAKKAMPATTY” and “MODACHUR” .These villages are having three different types of soils viz. black loam, red loam and red sand. The major portion is covered by red loam, then comes red sand and black loam. The percentages of the Red loam, Red sand and Black loam are 50%, 30% and 20% respectively.
In general, the soil in and around the town is of fertile nature and is good for agriculture purposes.
CLIMATE CONDITION
The temperature here is moderate throughout the year except during summer. The average rainy days are 50 in a year. It is exceptionally dry and its rainfall is scanty, uncertain and not well distributed. It is warm and humid for most of the year.
OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURES
The main functions of this town are the primary and tertiary activities. This town can be considered as Bi-functional town. The work force constitutes about 38% of the population. 31% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, 21% in small Industries (Small scale and cottage) and 48% in trading and other activities. There are no major industries within the jurisdiction of the local body. The town serves as an important source of supply for agricultural inputs and implements other services to the adjoining areas.
FAIRS AND FESTIVAL
There are two old hill temples dedicated to Lord Subramania at Pavalamalai and the other to Lord Muruga at Pachamalai by names, at a distance of 3.0 kilometer from the town centre. At a distance of 5.0 kilometer from the town, there is an old “Siva Temple” at Pariyur which was patronized by Cholas and Koysalas.
There is a Kalyanamandapam constructed in a vast area where 4 marriage functions could take place at a time. Also there is an Amman Temple situated in Pariyur which is 5 Kilometer from Gobichettipalayam Town where “Fire Walking Ceremony” is held during February – March every year. Annual car festival is conducted here in the month of January for three days. This temple attracts large gathering from the surrounding places during festival time.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The General topography of the town is having a gentle fall from south to north and west to east.
OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES AGRICULTURAL
Gobichettipalayam being an Agricultural Town, has got cultivable lands. An Anaicut namely “Kodiveri Anaicut” situated in Gobichettipalayam Taluk, about 1.6 km. west of Gobichettipalayam Town was constructed by the ancient Maharaja of Mysore in 17th century. Two channels from the anaicut are taken around this Town. One on the Northern side of Bhavani River and the other on the Southern side are called “Arakkan Kottai Channel” and “Thadapalli Channel” respectively. Lands North of Gobichettipalayam Town are fertile due to the flow of Thadapalli channel. Cultivation of Sugar cane and paddy are predominant in this Area.
Besides that the following schemes were implemented by this Municipality.
*NRY
*SJSRY
*MUDP
*IUDP
*Noon Meal Scheme (in 7 centres)
*NSDP
GOBICHETTIPALAYAM MUNICIPALITY
AGRICULATURE
The work force constitutes about 38% of the population 31% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, 13% in small industries (Small Scale and Cottage) and 56 % in trading and other activities. There are no major industries within the jurisdiction of the local body. The town serves as an important source of supply for agricultural in-puts and implements and other services to the adjoining areas.
Major Crops
*PADDY
*SUGARCANE
*TURMERIC
There is an Co-operative Marketing Society giving better services to the farmers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ECONOMIC BASE
The Primary and tertiary activities are the Main Function of Gobichettipalayam town. This town can be considered as Bi-Functional Town. The work force constitutes about 38% of the population 31% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, 13% in small industries (Small Scale and Cottage) and 56 % in trading and other activities. There are no major industries within the jurisdiction of the local body. The town serves as an important source of supply for agricultural in-puts and implements and other services to the adjoining areas.