North Lakhimpur ( ) is a city and a municipal board in Lakhimpur district in the Indian state of Assam, about northeast of Guwahati. It is the district headquarters of Lakhimpur district. North Lakhimpur is also the name of the subdivision of Lakhimpur district where North Lakhimpur town is located.
Etymology The name Lakhimpur is derived from Lakshmipur, the former name of North Lakhimpur. According to the Assam District Gazetteers, the town was named after Lakshminarayana, a Chutia king who ruled in the early fifteenth century. A land-grant inscription dated 1401 CE records Lakshminarayana's donation of land to Brahmins on the western bank of the Subansiri River, near present-day North Lakhimpur.
When Lakhimpur district was constituted by the East India Company in 1838, Lakhimpur was selected as its first headquarters. Sarbeswar Barua therefore argued that the district subsequently took its name from the town, citing an 1839 sanad issued from North Lakhimpur that bears the district seal and an English note of the Principal Assistant Commissioner referring to Lakhimpur district.
Geography It is situated at 27° 13' 60 N and 94° 7' 0 E. Significant parts of Lakhimpur include Phulbari, Laluk, Harmuti, Bongalmora, Bihpuria, Boginodi, Dolohat, Dhakuakhana, Narayanpur, Nowboicha, Town Bantow, Chetiagaon, Khelmati, NT Road, DK Road, KB Road, CD Road, Nakari, Bormuria, Panigaon, Joyhing and Moidomia, Angarkhuwa, Dhakuwakhania Goan, Hansuwa Tiniali etc.
Climate
Demographics As of the 2001 India census, North Lakhimpur had a population of 54,262. Based on population, it is classified as a class-II city (between 50,000 and 99,999 inhabitants). According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 105,376.
Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. North Lakhimpur has an average literacy rate of 89%, higher than the national average of 65%: male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 87%. In North Lakhimpur, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Language
Assamese is the most spoken language at 40,972 speakers, followed by Bengali at 9,942, Mishing is spoken by 1,195 people and Hindi at 6,383.
Administration The MLA of Lakhimpur constituency is Shri Manab Deka since 2021.
Transportation Road The NH-15 passes through North Lakhimpur. Both AC and non-AC buses are available from Assam State Transport Corporation. Vehicles from private bus stands also offer connections to Guwahati and ply other long-distance routes.
Rail The North Lakhimpur railway station is located at Nakari. It lies on the Rangiya–Murkongselek section of Rangiya railway division. Intercity Express (Murkongselek-Kamakhya) to and from Guwahati is operating between North Lakhimpur and Guwahati via Rangia, Rangapara, Biswanath Chariali, etc. Another Intercity Express (Naharlagun-Guwahati) also operates between Harmuti and Guwahati via the same route. The Harmuti railway station is situated at Harmuti, approximately 30 km. from the North Lakhimpur.
Air Lilabari Airport is located from the city. Flights are operated to Kolkata and Guwahati by Alliance Air, four days in a week.
Water One can travel to Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Jorhat (via Majuli) by crossing the Brahmaputra River by ferry from North Lakhimpur. The Bogibeel Bridge creates a direct route for a quick commute to Dibrugarh.
Education
Universities
Madhabdev University North Lakhimpur University
Colleges
Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital
Schools
St. Mary's Senior Secondary School
Media Lakhimpur has an All India Radio relay station known as Akashvani Lakhimpur. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.
Print media Assamese language newspapers published from North Lakhimpur include the Asomiya Pratidin and Amar Asom.
Notable people Padmanath Gohain Baruah Tirtheswar Hazarika Iswar Prasanna Hazarika Uddhab Bharali, innovator
References