Balewalਬਲੇਵਲ

Where is Balewal?

Balewal is a village in Balachaur tehsil of SBS Nagar district in Punjab, India. It lies in the Doaba region, and the 2011 directory recorded Balachaur, about 14 kilometres away, as its nearest town. The village falls in the Balachaur community development block and has its own gram panchayat. In the census record it carries village code 032427, and it covers 154 hectares.

Population and households

The 2011 census counted 439 people in Balewal: 231 men and 208 women, living in 97 households, an average of about 4.5 people per household. Spread over its 154 hectares, the population density works out to about 285 people per square kilometre. The sex ratio was 900 women for every 1,000 men. Children up to the age of six numbered 52, about 12 per cent of the village. Scheduled Castes made up 361 people, about 82 per cent of the population, and no Scheduled Tribe population was recorded.

Literacy in 2011 stood at 79.33 per cent among residents aged seven and above, with men at 91.37 per cent and women at 66.84 per cent. The census recorded 123 workers, about 28 per cent of the village. Of the 105 main workers, the largest group, 98, were other workers in trade, transport and services, ahead of 5 cultivators on their own land and 2 agricultural labourers. A further 18 people were marginal workers, employed for only part of the year.

Land and farming

Farming covers most of Balewal's land. Of the village's 154 hectares, 76 hectares were net sown area in the 2011 record, and every sown hectare was irrigated. Irrigation came mainly from canals (3 hectares) and wells and tube-wells (73 hectares). About 19 hectares were under non-agricultural uses such as the village settlement, roads and ponds. Farm power supply was recorded at 8 hours a day. The census recorded 5 cultivators and 8 agricultural labourers, so farming supports many labouring families as well as landholders.

Schools and facilities

The Census 2011 Village Directory gives the fullest picture of village facilities. Education in the village runs through one government primary school, so children can study in the village up to Class 5. The village also had an anganwadi centre and an ASHA health worker.

No health facility was recorded inside the village in 2011. Treated tap water was available in the village. It also had mobile phone coverage. It had no bank branch or ATM in the 2011 record; the nearest bank was five to ten kilometres away. Domestic electricity supply was recorded at 12 hours a day.

Getting there

Balewal is reached by pucca, all-weather roads, and the 2011 directory recorded a private bus service in the village itself. The directory recorded Balachaur, about 14 kilometres away, as the nearest town, and the nearest railway station was more than ten kilometres away. Balachaur, the tehsil headquarters, and Nawanshahr, the district headquarters, are the practical hubs for administration and onward travel. Neighbouring villages include Nighi, Tundewal, Jandi and Golu Majra.

What is the population of Balewal?

The population of Balewal was 439 at the 2011 census, living in 97 households in Balachaur tehsil of SBS Nagar district.

What facilities does Balewal have?

According to the Census 2011 Village Directory, Balewal has a government primary school and an anganwadi centre. It had no bank branch inside the village in that record.