Vazhapadi (Valapady, or Valappadi) is a town panchayat in Salem district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of Vazhapadi taluk, one of the 13 taluks of Salem district.[1]

Vazhapadi
Map showing the location of the town in Tamil Nadu, India
Map showing the location of the town in Tamil Nadu, India
Vazhapadi
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Map showing the location of the town in Tamil Nadu, India
Map showing the location of the town in Tamil Nadu, India
Vazhapadi
Vazhapadi (India)
Coordinates: 11°39′22″N 78°24′06″E / 11.65611°N 78.40167°E / 11.65611; 78.40167
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictSalem
TalukVazhapadi taluk
Area
 • Total
8 km2 (3 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
17,559
 • Density2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC 5:30 (IST)
PIN
636115
Telephone code 914292
Vehicle registrationTN-77

Geography

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Vazhapadi is within Vazhapadi taluk, which is the central part of Salem district. It covers 8 square kilometres (3.1 sq mi) in the eastern part of the taluk, near the border with Attur taluk. National Highway 79 passes to the south of the town, and the only railroad line in the taluk runs through the town. It is 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Salem, the district headquarters, 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Madurai, and 250 kilometres (160 mi) southwest of the state capital of Chennai.[2]

Demographics

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In 2011 Vazhapadi had a population of 17,559 people living in 4,582 households. 8,843 (50.4%) of the inhabitants were male, while 8,716 (49.6%) were female. 1,679 children in the town, about 9.6% of the population, were at or below the age of 6. The literacy rate in the town was 74.4%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 26.4% and 0.26% of the population, respectively.[3]

Politics

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Former union minister Vazhappady K. Ramamurthy was born in Vazhapadi. He served as Union Minister of Petroleum as part of NDA government under Atal Behari Vajpayee. He was widely known as Valappadiyar.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Salem district map". Government of Tamil Nadu. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Salem District Census Handbook (A)" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Salem District Census Handbook (B)" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2021.