Palasa

Palasa is one of the twin towns located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The town is situated between Srikakulam and Berhampur. It is categorized as the second grade municipality. Also the town serves as the headquarters of Palasa Mandal.

Etymology
The town's name, Palasa, is said to be derived from the initial Telugu letters of the names of three goddesses: Parvati (Pa), Lakshmi (La), and Saraswati (Sa). As a result, it is known as Palasa, reflecting the combination of these revered deities.

Geography
Palasa has an average elevation of 38 meters (127 feet). The town has an area of 32.75 km2.

Demographics
census of India, Palasa had a population of 57,507 with 25,000 households. 5,609 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 2,887 are boys and 2,722 are girls —a ratio of 943 girls per 1000 boys. The average literacy rate stands at 75.68% with 39,276 literates, higher than the state average of 67.41%.

Administration
The local governance body known as Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality was established in the year 2000. This body plays a vital role in the development and administration of the twin towns, Palasa and Kasibugga. It strives to help progress and development in the twin towns by implementing various initiatives.

The jurisdiction of Palasa-Kasibugga Municipality covers a total of 31 wards in the twin towns. These wards represent different geographic divisions within the municipality's administrative area. Each ward is represented by an elected councilor who advocates for the interests and concerns of the residents in that specific area.

Assembly constituency
Palasa is also an Assembly constituency in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This constituency represents the political representation of the region in the state legislature.

The Palasa (Assembly constituency) includes three mandals under its jurisdiction:


 * 1) Palasa Mandal
 * 2) Mandasa Mandal
 * 3) Vajrapu Kotturu Mandal

Economy
Palasa is a significant center for cashew production in Andhra Pradesh, with more than 350 cashew processing industries operating in the region. Making it the highest among the northern coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh. The town's prominence in cashew processing also makes it one of the largest cashew processing hubs in India.

The cashew industry plays a vital role in the local economy, offering much employment opportunities to the community. Approximately 15,000 people in the surrounding areas benefit from both direct and indirect employment generated by this thriving sector. As a result, the cashew industry contributes significantly to the economic growth and livelihoods of the people in the region.

Healthcare
The Community Health Centre, Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad is located here. It can hold 50 inpatients.

Road
Palasa is well connected with major cities like Bhubaneswar (245 km) to the north and Visakhapatnam (198 km), Vijayawada (530 km) to the south through the National Highway NH-16 (Chennai–Kolkata).

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) from its depot near New Complex Bus Stand at Palasa operates buses daily to several local places and to the major cities in the state.

 Rail 

Palasa is served by its own railway station under the Khurda Road division of East Coast Railway, and is situated in the Howrah - Chennai Main Line. The Palasa railway station is a major railway station in srikakulam district which is categorised as NSG-3.

 Air 

The closest operative International Airports to the town are: Vishakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ) 195 km, Biju Patnaik Airport (BBI) 245 km.

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

Climate Data
Palasa has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Classification: Aw). The town's yearly temperature is 29.06 °C (84.31 °F) and it is 3.09% higher than India's average. Palasa typically receives about 50.9 millimeters (2.0 inches) of precipitation and has 40.98 rainy days (11.23% of the time) annually.

Maximum summer temperature is 41 °C; minimum winter temperature is 16 °C. May is the hottest month; January is the coldest. The region receives monsoon and torrential rainfall from July to October.