Balowal Saunkhariਬਲੋਵਲ ਸੌਂਖਰੀ

Where is Balowal Saunkhari?

Balowal Saunkhari 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 10 kilometres away, as its nearest town. The village falls in the Balachaur community development block and is served by the Bolwal Saunkhari, Patti Sankari gram panchayat. In the census record it carries village code 032433, and it covers 1,454 hectares.

Population and households

The 2011 census counted 440 people in Balowal Saunkhari: 243 men and 197 women, living in 92 households, an average of about 4.8 people per household. Spread over its 1,454 hectares, the population density works out to about 30 people per square kilometre. The sex ratio was 811 women for every 1,000 men. Children up to the age of six numbered 59, about 13 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 73.23 per cent among residents aged seven and above, with men at 80 per cent and women at 65.34 per cent. The census recorded 187 workers, about 42 per cent of the village. Of the 74 main workers, the largest group, 42, were other workers in trade, transport and services, ahead of 24 agricultural labourers and 5 household industry workers. A further 113 people were marginal workers, employed for only part of the year.

Land and farming

Farming covers most of Balowal Saunkhari's land. Of the village's 1,454 hectares, 241 hectares were net sown area in the 2011 record, and every sown hectare was irrigated. Irrigation came mainly from canals (184 hectares) and wells and tube-wells (57 hectares). About 691 hectares were under non-agricultural uses such as the village settlement, roads and ponds. Farm power supply was recorded at 12 hours a day. The census recorded 15 cultivators and 80 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. The village had its own post office. 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

Balowal Saunkhari 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 10 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 Thanwala, Mansewal, Kolar and Khewewal.

What is the population of Balowal Saunkhari?

The population of Balowal Saunkhari was 440 at the 2011 census, living in 92 households in Balachaur tehsil of SBS Nagar district.

What facilities does Balowal Saunkhari have?

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