Kondapalli



Kondapalli is an industrial and residential hub located in western part of Vijayawada in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station, one of the major Thermal Power stations of the state is located in between Ibrahimpatnam and Kondapalli. It is home for many industries like Andhra Pradesh Heavy Machinery & Engineering Limited (APHMEL), BPCL, HPCL, IOC, Reliance Industries, Lanco Infratech are located here. Kondapalli Toys are very famous in the state. Kondapalli Fort, also known as Kondapalli Kota, is located towards west of Kondapalli. The closest locality to Kondapalli is Ibrahimpatnam.

Etymology
In 18th century, Kondapalli was known with the name, Mustafanagar.

Culture
The village is known for Kondapalli Toys (Kondapalli bommalu). The toys are chiselled from local light softwoods (Tella Poniki) and painted with vegetable dyes, and vibrant enamel colours. They are made by local wooden and lay artisans. The most popular toys include Dasavatarams (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) elephants with Ambari, palanquin-bearers carrying the bride and bridegroom, toddy tapper, set of village craftsmen, as well as various animals. The papier mache swinging doll is a favourite with many.

Flora and fauna
Kondapalli is home to the Kondapalli Reserve Forest one of the last remaining pristine forests in the Krishna district, spread over an area of 30000 acre. It is home to several leopards, wild dogs, jackals, wild boar, and wolves with a varied topography. A Zoological park was also planned by the state government at the village.

Economy
Kondapalli is an industrial suburb of Vijayawada. It has one of the largest industrial estates (industrial parks) in Andhra Pradesh, spread over 450 acre and supporting over 800 industrial enterprises. Second largest wagon workshop of Indian Railways is present in Rayanapadu (Guntupalli) about 3 km from Kondapalli. In addition to a 1760 MW Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPs) and 368.144 MW gas based Lanco power plant which is under expansion to 768.144 MW are located here. Andhra Pradesh Heavy Machinery & Engineering Limited (APHMEL) factory is present in Kondapalli. Kondapalli is hub for storage, bottling and transportation of petroleum products of all major companies. Major companies having a presence in Kondapalli include BPCL, GAIL, HPCL, IOC, Reliance Industries, and Lanco Infratech.

Transport
Kondapalli railway station is located on Kazipet–Vijayawada section, administered under Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone. NH 30 passes through the town, which connects Vijayawada with Uttarakhand. APSRTC operates city buses from Kondapalli to other places of the city.

APSRTC City Bus Routes

Education
The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state. The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.