Economy of Barrackpur is the pillar of the North 24 Parganas District. From British times, Barrackpur was a well developed place for jute industries. Barrackpur is also the place of cantonment town under Barrackpore subdivision in North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal. Barrackpore is one of the most developed regions in West Bengal. The literacy rate in the sub-division is above the average standard of the state and district.
Accessibility to Barrackpur
The subdivision of Barrackpur is served by road, rail and air transport. It benefits from the Hooghly River, which flows through the western part of this subdivision.
Presence of Ganga River
The presence of Ganga River aided the establishment of a large number of industries on its banks early in India`s industrial development, including jute, engineering, paper, and cotton mills.
Cottage Industry in Barrackpur
Barrackpur or Barrackpore also conventionally had a strong small scale cottage industry and handicraft sector. It consists of jute industrial associate belt, Floriculture, pisciculture and horticulture.
Agriculture in Barrackpur
The Army Air Force cantonment is the biggest landscape of the town of Barrackpore, while their agriculture is the main base of the subdivision`s economy, producing a variety of crops.
Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute has been established at Barrackpore to endorse production of fishes mainly in ponds and rivers. A well-developed irrigation system has been constructed in the subdivision to promote agriculture. Low interest loans have also been used to encourage the expansion of farming and the development of agricultural infrastructure.
Primary Industry in Barrackpur
The primary industry in Barrackpur is jute processing, centered in a number of jute mills on the side of the river.
Ishapore Rifle Factory
Ishapore Rifle Factory is one of the most important arms factories of India, supplying the requirements of the security forces.
Mulazore Thermal Power Plant
Mulazore Thermal Power Plant at Shyamnagar was one of the oldest power plants in India. It was shut down in the year 2004. The dry cells are produced by Exide and cables produced by Nicco are other industrial products.
Palta Water Works
Barrackpore or Barrackpur is also famous for Palta Water Works, its oldest water treatment plant, in the banks of Hooghly River. The plant was constructed from 1864 to 1870, and is situated on 480 acres of land. It was the first intake point for generation and supply of water and lately due to high demand of water. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has commissioned the Indira Gandhi Water Treatment Plant near the same locality to augment the capacity of supply of water to Tallah.
