Firozpur

Climate

The climate of the Firozpur District is, on the whole, dry and is characterised by a hot summer, a short rainy season and a bracing winter. The year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season is from November to March. This is followed by the summer season which lasts up to about the end of June. The period from July to the middle of September constitutes the south-westerly monsoon season. The latter half of September and October may be termed the post-monsoon or the transition period.

Demographics

According to the 2001 Indian census, Firozpur had a population of 95,451, which increased from 78,738 in 1991. Males constitute 53 per cent of the population and females 47 per cent. It had an average literacy rate of 71 per cent, higher than the national average of 59.5 per cent: male literacy was 73 per cent and female literacy 68 per cent. 11 per cent of the population was under 6 years of age.

The provisional data of the 2011 census shows a population of 110,091, of which males were 58,401 and females were 51,690. The literacy rate was 79.75 per cent.

By air

The nearest international airport from the city is Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport at Amritsar, roughly a two-hour drive away. The airport is connected to other parts of the country by regular flights. Several airlines operate flights from abroad, including Birmingham in the UK, Dubai and Doha. The next nearest international airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Ludhiana Domestic Airport is distance 125 kilometres (78 mi) away. The government is planning to construct an airport in the city.

By rail

There are two railway stations located in Firozpur. The Firozpur Cantonment railway station is the major railway station located in the cantonment place of Firozpur and is connected with the cities such as Mumbai and Ahmedabad. It is served by three railway lines – Ludhiana-Fazilka line, Delhi-Firozpur line and Jalandhar-Firozpur line. The Firozpur City railway station is on the Firozpur-Fazilka line. 12047/12048 shatabdi express goes to Delhi from Firozpur.

By road

Firozpur is connected to Chandigarh via Ludhiana through National Highway 95. National Highway 15 passes through Talwandi and Zira, which are very close to the city. Firozpur is connected to Faridkot via SH15 and to Fazilka-Abohar via SH20. SH19 passes through Makhu, which is very close to the city. The city is well-connected with all the neighbouring cities through buses operated by Punjab Roadways, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and other privately operated buses.

Media

Firozpur has an All India Radio Relay station known as Akashvani Firozpur. It broadcasts on 100.1 MHz frequency.

Notable places

Stadiums

Religion

According to the 2011 census, Hinduism and Sikhism are the main religions of Firozpur. Minorities are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism.

Sikhs form a majority in the Firozpur District on a whole in spite of not being the majority religion of the city.

Shopping and Entertainment

Notable personalities

Firozpur has produced many people of note from time to time. Politicians, shooters, entertainers, writers, military Generals and other prominent personalities have been born in this historic city. Some notable people are mentioned below:

Education and Research