View source for Guntur

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Guntur
| other_name         = Garthapuri
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = GunturCollage06022017.jpg
| image_caption      = Clockwise from Top Left: [[Guntur Medical College]], General Hospital, Iskcon Temple, [[Guntur Municipal Corporation]], Chuttugunta Centre, One-Town Centre, A park with pond in Gujjanagundla.
| etymology          =
| nickname           = Land of Chillies <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipsocon2023.co.in/venue.php |title=IPSOCON 2023 |access-date=2024-03-17 |publisher=IPSOCON}}</ref>
| pushpin_map        = India Andhra Pradesh
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| pushpin_label      = <!-- only necessary if "name" or "official_name" are too long -->
| pushpin_label_position = right
| coordinates        = {{coord|16.3008|N|80.4428|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref>tags -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Coastal Andhra]]
| established_title  =
| established_date   = <!-- requires established_title= -->
| founder            =
| established_title1 = Incorporated (Municipality)
| established_date1  = 1866
| established_title2 = Incorporated (Corporation)
| established_date2  = 1994
| named_for          =
| seat_type          =
| seat               =
| parts_type         =
| parts              =
| government_footnotes =
| government_type    = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body     = {{Plain list|
*[[Guntur Municipal Corporation]]
*[[Andhra Pradesh Capital Region]]
}}
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Kavati Manohar Naidu
| leader_title1      = [[Guntur (Lok Sabha constituency)|MP]]
| leader_name1       = [[Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani]] ([[Telugu Desam Party|TDP]])
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="cdma"/>
| area_total_km2     = 159.46
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref name="cdma">{{Cite web |url=https://cdma.ap.gov.in/en/about-guntur-municipal-corporation |title=About Guntur Municipal corporation |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=CDMA, GoAP |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317094958/https://cdma.ap.gov.in/en/about-guntur-municipal-corporation |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_total   = 743354
| pop_est_as_of      =
| pop_est_footnotes  =
| population_est     =
| population_rank    = [[List of cities in Andhra Pradesh|3rd (in Andhra Pradesh)]]<br />[[List of cities in India by population|64th (in India)]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro_footnotes =
| population_metro   =
| population_blank1_title =
| population_blank1  =
| population_demonym = {{hlist|Gunturian|Gunturodu}}
| population_note    = <!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1 = Literacy
| demographics1_title1 = Literates
| demographics1_info1 =
| demographics1_title2 = Literacy rate
| demographics1_info2 =
| demographics_type2 = Languages
| demographics2_title1 = Official
| demographics2_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 522001
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in India|Telephone code]]
| area_code          = +91-863
| registration_plate_type =
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of India|AP]]
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Nominal GDP]](2023-24)
| blank_info_sec1    = {{INRConvert|27230|c|year=2024}}<ref>https://des.ap.gov.in/MainPage.do?mode=menuBind&tabname=publications</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://cdma.ap.gov.in/en/guntur}}
| official_name      =
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = {{Plain list|
[[Guntur district|Guntur]]
}}
| leader_party       = [[YSR Congress Party|YSRCP]]
| elevation_m        = 33
| native_name        =
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=250|frame-height=180|type=shape|id=Q17053972|text=Guntur Municipal Corporation}}
| map_caption        =
}}
'''Guntur''' ({{audio|Te-గుంటూరు.oga|pronunciation}}) is a city in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and the administrative headquarters of [[Guntur district]]. The city is part of the [[Andhra Pradesh Capital Region]] and is located on the [[Eastern Coastal Plains]] approximately {{convert|14|miles}} south-west of the state capital [[Amaravati]]. According to data from the [[2011 Census of India]], Guntur had a population of 743,354 in that year, making it the [[List of cities in Andhra Pradesh by population|third-most-populous city]] in the state,<ref name="cdma"/> and occupies {{convert|159.46|km2|sqmi|abbr=off}} of land.The city is the heartland of the state, located in the center of Andhra Pradesh and making it a central part connecting different regions.
The city hosts many state offices and agencies, being part of the district capital and being in close proximity to the state capital [[Amaravati]]. The city is about 1100 miles south of the national capital [[New Delhi]]. It is classified as a ''Y-grade'' city as per the [[Pay Commission#Seventh Pay Commission|Seventh Central Pay Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Classification of Cities for the purpose of HRA with effect from 1 April 2015 — CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS|url=https://7thpaycommissionnews.in/classification-of-cities-for-the-purpose-of-hra-with-effect-from-1-4-2015/|website=7thpaycommissionnews.in|access-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030172022/https://7thpaycommissionnews.in/classification-of-cities-for-the-purpose-of-hra-with-effect-from-1-4-2015/|archive-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> It is the 24th most densely populated city in the world and 11th in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/territories/andhra-pradesh-population|title = Guntur population density|date = 21 November 2021}}</ref> Guntur is estimated to have current population of around 0.9 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guntur population estimate|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/guntur-population|access-date=21 November 2021|work=World Population Review}}</ref>
Guntur serves as a major hub for the export of chilli, cotton and tobacco, and has the largest chilli-market yard in Asia.<ref name="largestchilliyard">{{Cite news|title=Chillies lose sting, exports & Guntur markets only hope – The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/chillies-lose-sting-exports-guntur-markets-only-hope/articleshow/2055828.cms|access-date=27 May 2017|work=The Economic Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403124710/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/commodities/chillies-lose-sting-exports-guntur-markets-only-hope/articleshow/2055828.cms|archive-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> It is also a major hub for transport, education, medicine and commercial activities in the state.<ref name="Education Hub">{{Cite news|title=Guntur Educational Hub|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-krishna-turn-educational-hub-598826|access-date=12 March 2021|work=The Hans India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405162834/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-krishna-turn-educational-hub-598826|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Ancient temples and sites near the city include [[Kondaveedu Fort]], [[Amararama|Amareswaraswamy temple]], and [[Undavalli Caves]], and Sri Bramarambha Malleswara Swamy Temple at [[Pedakakani]].
== Etymology ==
In [[Sanskrit]] documents, Guntur was referred to as ''Garthapuri''; in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], "Guntlapuri" means "a place surrounded by water ponds".<ref name="district profile">{{Cite web|title=District Profile|url=http://guntur.cdma.ap.gov.in/en/district-profile|website=Guntur Municipal Corporation|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-date=14 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514110956/http://guntur.cdma.ap.gov.in/en/district-profile|url-status=dead}}</ref> The settlement might have been near a pond (Telugu: "gunta"); hence "gunta uru" means "pond village". Another source refers to "kunta", a land-measuring unit, which may have transformed to "kunta uru" and later to "Guntur".<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Pullaiah|first1=T.|title=Flora of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India|date=2000|publisher=Regency Publications|isbn=9788187498162|page=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1kHNgLyXbJUC&q=guntur+revenue+division+headquarters&pg=PA2|access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref>
== History ==
The ancient [[Puranas|Vedic puranas]], going back to the [[Treta Yuga]] and [[Dvapara Yuga]], mention [[Sitanagaram]] and the [[Guttikonda Bilam|Guttikonda caves]] near Guntur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guntur.nic.in/|title=Welcome to the Guntur district website|access-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008183724/http://guntur.nic.in/history.html|archive-date=8 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Garthapuri2.jpg
| image2            = Nagalipi1.jpg
| image3            = Nagalipi2.jpg
| image4            = Agasteeswara temple.jpg
| align             = center
| total_width       = 400
| caption1          =
| caption_align     = center
| footer            = Sivalayam temple in old city and inscriptions
| footer_align      = center
}}
The region was historically known for [[Buddhism]]; the first [[Kalachakra]] ceremony was performed by [[Gautama Buddha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kalacakra.org/history/khistor2.htm|title=Kālacakra history|work=kalacakra.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211023333/http://www.kalacakra.org/history/khistor2.htm|archive-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> Agastyeshwara temple is one of the oldest temples in the city; according to a local legend, [[Agastya]] built it in the [[Treta Yuga]] around a ''[[swayambhu]] [[Lingam|linga]]''. Inscriptions on the side of Naga Muchalinda, a sculpture unearthed in 2018 in the compound of the temple, are in Naga Lipi, an ancient script from the third century [[Common Era|CE]]. Based on this discovery, Emani Sivanagi Reddy, archaeologist and Buddhist scholar believes this region served as a Buddhist site contemporary to [[Nagarjunakonda]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=3rd Century Buddhist sculpture unearthed in Old Guntur |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/3rd-century-buddhist-sculpture-unearthed-in-old-guntur/article25786642.ece |date=2018-12-20 |access-date=2024-03-16 |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529213422/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/3rd-century-buddhist-sculpture-unearthed-in-old-guntur/article25786642.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
The earliest reference to Guntur is found in inscriptions by [[Ammaraja I]] (922–929 CE), the Vengi [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukyan]] king.<ref name="district profile"/> According to an inscription in Sri Narasimha Swami temple at Ramachandra Agraharam,  Tirumala Dasa Mahapatra—the local ruler of the [[Gajapathi]] king [[Kapileswara Gajapathi]]—gave donations to the temple of Mulastha Mallikarjuna Deva in 1485 CE.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple inscriptions R.Agraharam|date=20 May 2019 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/may/20/archaeologist-deciphers-gajapathi-period-guntur-temple-inscription-1979182.html|publisher=New Indian Express|access-date=15 August 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126032633/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/may/20/archaeologist-deciphers-gajapathi-period-guntur-temple-inscription-1979182.html|archive-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>
Prior to the [[British Raj]], Guntur has been ruled by the [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahanas]], [[Andhra Ikshvaku]]s, [[Vishnukundinas]], [[Pallavas]], [[Vengi Chalukya]]s, [[Kakatiya dynasty|Kakatiya kings]], [[Reddi Kingdom|Reddy kings]], [[Gajapati Empire|Gajapathi kings]], and [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar kings]], [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizams of Hyderabad]], [[French India]], and the [[East India Company|British East India Company]].{{Sfn|HDHV|2016|p=02-2}} The British East India Company took over the [[Kondaveedu Fort]] in 1788 and abandoned it in the early 19th century in favour of Guntur, which was made the headquarters of a district named after it.{{cn|date=May 2024}} The district was abolished in 1859 and reconstituted in 1904.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
The city rapidly became a major market for agricultural produce from the surrounding countryside due to the opening of the railway link in 1890. The expansion continued post [[Indian independence movement|independence]] as well and was concentrated in what is now called New Guntur, with many urban areas such as [[Brodipet]], [[Arundelpet]] and suburban areas like Pattabhipuram, Chandramoulinagar, Sitaramanagar, and Brindavan Gardens. In 2012, the city limits were expanded with the merger of surrounding ten villages, namely [[Nallapadu]], Pedapalakaluru, Ankireddipalem, Adavitakkellapadu, [[Gorantla, Guntur|Gorantla]], Pothuru, Chowdavaram, Etukuru, [[Budampadu]] and [[Reddypalem, Guntur|Reddypalem]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merger of gram panchayats in Guntur Municipal Corporation |url=http://www.gunturcorporation.org/townplanning/gos/GO_279_12072012.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126163918/http://gunturcorporation.org/TownPlanning/gos/GO_279_12072012.pdf |archive-date=26 November 2013 |access-date=22 September 2015 |website=Guntur Municipal Corporation |publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department}}</ref>
The High Court was setup in Guntur when [[Andhra State]] was formed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/06/stories/2004070601210900.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216090615/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/06/stories/2004070601210900.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2005|title=Former High Court July 06, 1954| location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=6 July 2004}}</ref> It was moved to [[Hyderabad]] after the formation of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/meet-to-press-for-high-court-bench-at-guntur/article3183383.ece|title=High Court bench requirement|work=The Hindu | location=Chennai, India|date=25 February 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405165337/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/meet-to-press-for-high-court-bench-at-guntur/article3183383.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> After the [[Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014|bifurcation of the state]] a new [[Andhra Pradesh High Court|High Court]] is set up in the capital region of the residual state near Guntur.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/andhra-pradesh-high-court-returns-home-to-guntur-after-62-years/articleshow/67278307.cms
|title=New High Court|work=[[The Times of India]]| location=Visakhapatnam|date=31 December 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405165436/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/andhra-pradesh-high-court-returns-home-to-guntur-after-62-years/articleshow/67278307.cms|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
Guntur is the place of discovery of [[helium]] they discoverd this in 1869 from observations of the [[solar eclipse]] of 18 August 1868 by the French astronomer [[Pierre Janssen]].<ref>{{citation|last=Leggett|first=Hadley|title=Helium Discovered During Total Solar Eclipse|date=18 August 2009|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/08/dayintech_0818/|publisher=wired.com|access-date=18 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223041/http://www.wired.com/2009/08/dayintech_0818/|archive-date=2014-04-08|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des sciences|url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k3024c.image.r=comptes-rendus+hebdomadaires+Acad%C3%A9mie+des+Sciences.f836.langFR|journal=C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris|volume=67|pages=836–41|year=1868|access-date=28 July 2014|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411093013/https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k3024c.image.r=comptes-rendus+hebdomadaires+Acad%C3%A9mie+des+Sciences.f836.langFR|url-status=live}}</ref> Allen Olliver Becker's family from Guntur was among the survivors of the Titanic ship disaster.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daniel |first=Valhayasi Pandey |date=2012-04-12 |title=Guntur to New York. Aboard the Titanic |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-titanic-has-an-india-connection/20120412.htm |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Rediff.com |archive-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317055207/https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-titanic-has-an-india-connection/20120412.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Geography ==
[[File:Hills-near-Guntur-City.jpg|thumb|Scenic hills to the West of the city]]
Guntur is located at {{Coord|16.29|N|80.43|E|}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Guntur.html|title=Falling Rain Genomics-Guntur|publisher=Falling Rain Genomics Inc.|access-date=12 July 2014|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427124626/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Guntur.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has an average [[elevation]] of {{convert|33|m|ft|abbr=out}} and is situated on the plains. There are few hills in the surrounding suburban areas and Perecherla Reserve Forest is located in the city's north-west. Guntur lies approximately {{convert|30|km|abbr=out}} south of [[Amaravati]], the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
=== Climate ===
According to the  [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]], the climate in Guntur is [[tropical climate|tropical]] with dry winters (Aw). The average temperature is warm-to-hot year round. The summer season, especially May and June, has the highest temperatures, which are usually followed by [[Monsoon|monsoon rains]]. During the winter season, running from November to February, the weather is usually dry with little-to-no rainfall. The wettest month is July. The average annual temperature is {{Convert|28.5|C}} and annual rainfall is about {{convert|905|mm|in|0}}. Rain storms and cyclones are common in the region during the rainy season, which starts with the monsoons in early June. Cyclones may occur any time of the year but occur most commonly between May and November.{{Sfn|HDHV|2016|p=02-5}}
Guntur has been ranked 10th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>
== Demographics ==
{{Historical population
| source = (1981–2011)<ref name="ulb"/>
| 1981 | 367,699
| 1991 | 471,051
| 2001 | 514,461
| 2011{{efn|prior to merger of neighbouring villages in 2012}}| 670,073
}}
Based on the [[2011 Census of India]], after a merger of nearby villages in 2012, Guntur had a population of {{formatnum:743354}}.<ref name="cdma" /> The 2023 estimate of the city population is 9,81,000.<ref name="municipality survey 2023">{{Cite web |title=Guntur population likely to cross 10 lakh mark soon |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/jun/09/guntur-population-likely-to-cross-10-lakh-mark-soon-2583332.html |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=The New Indian Express |date=9 June 2023 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703195305/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2023/jun/09/guntur-population-likely-to-cross-10-lakh-mark-soon-2583332.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is classified as a ''Y-grade'' city under the [[Pay Commission#Seventh Pay Commission|Seventh Central Pay Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classification of Cities for the purpose of HRA with effect from 1 April 2015|url=https://7thpaycommissionnews.in/classification-of-cities-for-the-purpose-of-hra-with-effect-from-1-4-2015/|website=7thpaycommissionnews.in|access-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030172022/https://7thpaycommissionnews.in/classification-of-cities-for-the-purpose-of-hra-with-effect-from-1-4-2015/|archive-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>
Based on the 2011 census data prior to the city's expansion in 2012, [[Telugu language|Telugu]] is the most-widely spoken language with {{formatnum:545928}} native speakers, followed by {{formatnum:109574}} [[Urdu]] speakers. A significant minority speak [[Hindi]], [[Odia language|Odia]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref name="language">{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Town Level |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16_Town.html |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=13 May 2019}} ''Select "Andhra Pradesh" from the download menu. Data for "Guntur (M+OG)" is at row 12602 of the excel file.''</ref> The religious demographic consists of {{formatnum:522030}} [[Hindus]] (77.91%), {{formatnum:120974}} [[Muslims]] (18.05%), {{formatnum:21787}} [[Christians]] (3.25%), {{formatnum:2312}} [[Jainism|Jains]] (0.35%) and {{formatnum:2605}} (0.82%) did not state any religion.<ref name="religion">{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=13 May 2019}} ''Select "Andhra Pradesh" from the download menu. Data for "Guntur (M+OG)" is at row 2682 of the excel file.''</ref> One of the supposedly [[lost tribes of Israel]] called [[Bene Ephraim]] has a presence in Guntur; there is a [[Jews|Jewish]] [[synagogue]] at Kothareddypalem near [[Chebrolu, Guntur district|Chebrolu]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Children of Ephraim: being Jewish in Andhra Pradesh|journal=Anthropology Today|volume=26 |url=https://www.academia.edu/1849132|access-date=24 May 2015|last1=Egorova|first1=Yulia}}</ref>
== Governance ==
=== Civic administration and politics ===
[[File:Guntur-municipal-corporation2017.jpg|thumb|Municipal Corporation Office, Guntur]]
The city's local authority is [[Guntur Municipal Corporation]] (GMC), which at over 150 years old, is one of India's oldest municipalities.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jonathan |first1=P. Samuel |title=Guntur to get 24X7 water supply soon |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Guntur-to-get-24X7-water-supply-soon/article16083207.ece |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=27 October 2016 |language=en-IN|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164038/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Guntur-to-get-24X7-water-supply-soon/article16083207.ece |archive-date=5 April 2021 }}</ref> It was constituted in 1886, when the city had a population of 25,000; the city was upgraded to a third-grade municipality in 1891, a first-grade municipality in 1917, a special-grade municipality in 1952, and a selection-grade municipality in 1960. In 1994, Guntur was upgraded as a [[municipal corporation]] and its first local election was held in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timeline |url=http://210.212.227.99/about_gmc/timeline.html |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=gunturcorporation.org}}</ref> The city is divided into 57 revenue wards.<ref name="ulb">{{Cite web |title=Statistical Information of ULBs and UDAs |url=http://www.dtcp.ap.gov.in/dtcpweb/ulbs/List%20of%20ULBs-27-2-2019.pdf |website=Directorate of Town and Country Planning |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=29 May 2019 |page=3 |date=27 February 2019|archive-date=2022-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408091521/http://www.dtcp.ap.gov.in/dtcpweb/ulbs/List%20of%20ULBs-27-2-2019.pdf|url-status=dead }}</ref> During the financial year 2018–19, the corporation had a budget of {{INRConvert|1004|c|lk=on|year=2018}}.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 March 2018|title=GMC civic chief passes 1,004 cr budget|work=The Hans India|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-30/GMC-civic-chief-passes-1004-cr-budget/370496|url-status=live|access-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164236/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-30/GMC-civic-chief-passes-1004-cr-budget/370496|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
Guntur is one of thirty-one cities in the state to be a part of water-supply-and-sewerage-services mission known as [[Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation]] (AMRUT).<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vadlapatla |first1=Sribala |date=11 August 2015 |title=Amaravati among 31 AP cities selected for Amruth development |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Amaravati-among-31-AP-cities-selected-for-Amruth-development/articleshow/48431080.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164748/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Amaravati-among-31-AP-cities-selected-for-Amruth-development/articleshow/48431080.cms |archive-date=5 April 2021 |access-date=18 December 2015 |work=The Times of India |location=Hyderabad}}</ref> The city was certified as open defecation free as part of [[Swachh Bharat Mission]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=Guntur is now officially 'Open Defecation-Free' |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/231216/guntur-is-now-officially-open-defaecation-free.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122133350/http://www.deccanchronicle.com:80/nation/current-affairs/231216/guntur-is-now-officially-open-defaecation-free.html |archive-date=22 November 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> In the 2023 [[Swachh Survekshan]] rankings, Guntur was ranked fourth in India,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Four national awards for AP in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/120124/four-national-awards-for-ap-in-the-swachh-survekshan-2023.html |access-date=13 March 2024 |website=Deccan Chronicle |date=12 January 2024 |archive-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313021101/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/120124/four-national-awards-for-ap-in-the-swachh-survekshan-2023.html |url-status=live }}</ref> rising from its ranking of 129th in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swachh Survekshan 2018 |url=http://swachhsurvekshan2018.org/Rankings/Morethan1Lakh |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=swachhsurvekshan2018.org |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419001402/http://swachhsurvekshan2018.org/Rankings/Morethan1Lakh |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Guntur District Court, India.jpg|thumb|District Court Complex]]
Guntur is the headquarters of [[Guntur East mandal|Guntur East]] and [[Guntur West mandal]]s in [[Guntur revenue division]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-31/Guntur-urban-divided-into-east-west-mandals/370772|title=Guntur urban divided into east, East mandals|last1=India|first1=The Hans|date=31 March 2018|work=thehansindia.com|access-date=26 April 2019|location=Guntur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405162937/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-31/Guntur-urban-divided-into-east-west-mandals/370772|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> The city is a major part of [[Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/ap-capital-region-development-authority-comes-into-being/article6739396.ece|title = AP Capital Region Development Authority comes into being|date = 31 December 2014|access-date = 11 February 2015|newspaper = The Hindu|location = Hyderabad|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195837/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/ap-capital-region-development-authority-comes-into-being/article6739396.ece|archive-date = 24 February 2021}}</ref> It is represented in the federal government by [[Guntur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Guntur Lok Sabha constituency]],<ref name="loksabha">{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf|title=Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008|date=17 December 2018|website=The Election Commission of India|publisher=National Informatics Centre|page=31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003220916/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf|archive-date=3 October 2018|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> and at state level by [[Guntur East (Assembly constituency)|Guntur East]] and [[Guntur West (Assembly constituency)|Guntur West]] assembly constituencies.
=== Other offices ===
As part of the [[Andhra Pradesh Capital Region]], Guntur houses many state offices and agencies such as [[Andhra Pradesh Forest Department]] and the Agricultural Marketing Department, and regional office of the [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|Crime Investigation Department]].<ref name="departments" /> The AP State Judicial Preview offices are located at Nagarampalem.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AP Judicial Preview|url=http://www.judicialpreview.ap.gov.in/|website=judicialpreview.ap.gov.in|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024172851/http://www.judicialpreview.ap.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> Guntur group of the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] is located at Syamalanagar.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCC of Guntur|url=http://www.gunturncc.com/|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404130400/http://www.gunturncc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The city also hosts an [[Indian Army]] recruitment and training centre.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Army-recruitment-rally/article15145016.ece|title=Army recruitment rally|work=The Hindu|access-date=17 January 2008|location=Guntur|date=17 January 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405165140/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Army-recruitment-rally/article15145016.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> The city's passport office was opened in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/passport-seva-kendra-opened/article23841999.ece|title=Passport Seva Kendra opened|work=The Hindu|access-date=5 May 2018|location=Guntur|date=5 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041554/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/passport-seva-kendra-opened/article23841999.ece|archive-date=9 November 2020}}</ref>
== Healthcare, utilities and policing ==
[[File:Government General Hospital, Guntur.jpg|thumb|Government General Hospital, Sambasivapet]]
Guntur has several urban healthcare centres and about 200 private hospitals, including several specialty centres.{{Sfn|HDHV|2016}} The Government General Hospital (GGH) is the city's main tertiary healthcare provider.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Development of Government Hospital|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/rs-500-cr-for-development-of-guntur-general-hospital-717509?infinitescroll=1|access-date=13 December 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213165434/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/rs-500-cr-for-development-of-guntur-general-hospital-717509?infinitescroll=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
The city's main source of drinking water is Guntur Channel, which draws water from the [[Krishna River]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guntur Channel |url=https://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/static/approjects/guntur_channel.html |website=irrigationap.cgg.gov.in |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425054052/https://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/static/approjects/guntur_channel.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An extension of this channel is being planned to increase coverage of the city and the capital region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/may/29/guntur-channel-extension-survey-works-completed-1820791.html|title=Guntur Channel Extension|work=The Hindu|access-date=30 May 2018|location=Guntur|date=30 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164450/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/may/29/guntur-channel-extension-survey-works-completed-1820791.html|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Summer storage tanks are located in [[Sangam Jagarlamudi]], and [[Vengalayapalem]] reservoir is the other source of water to the city.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |title=Water crisis looms over Guntur |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Water-crisis-looms-over-Guntur/article14026329.ece |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=29 January 2016 |location=Guntur |language=en-IN|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164558/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Water-crisis-looms-over-Guntur/article14026329.ece |archive-date=5 April 2021 }}</ref> The city's electricity is provided by [[Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited]] (APSPDCL).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Summer blues: Electricity demand reaches its peak |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/apr/20/summer-blues-electricity-demand-reaches-its-peak-1966532.html |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=20 April 2019 |location=Guntur|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405164650/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/apr/20/summer-blues-electricity-demand-reaches-its-peak-1966532.html |archive-date=5 April 2021 }}</ref>
Guntur police uses surveillance and central monitoring control systems with high-resolution cameras at important traffic junctions.<ref>{{Cite news|title=traffic and safety|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ai-based-signalling-system-to-end-traffic-woes-in-guntur/article31034422.ece|access-date=13 December 2021|work=The Hindu|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213174945/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ai-based-signalling-system-to-end-traffic-woes-in-guntur/article31034422.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Police ask restaurants and malls to up security|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/may/12/police-ask-restaurants-and-malls-to-up-security-1975745.html|access-date=13 December 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=13 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213174945/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/may/12/police-ask-restaurants-and-malls-to-up-security-1975745.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Economy ==
[[File:Guntur vegetable market.jpg|thumb|right|A shop at Kannavari Thota Vegetable and Fruit Market]]
The GDP per capita of Guntur City is $ $8,786. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroverse {{!}} Harvard Growth Lab |url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/8584/overview |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=metroverse.cid.harvard.edu |language=en}}</ref>
Guntur forms a part of the [[East Coast Economic Corridor]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/industries/industrial-regions-8-major-industrial-regions-of-india/14159/ | title=Industrial Corridor | date=27 November 2013 | access-date=16 May 2014 | archive-date=31 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331213143/http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/industries/industrial-regions-8-major-industrial-regions-of-india/14159/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Due to its status as the district capital and part of the state capital region, Guntur houses many state offices and agencies, including the headquarters of the Agricultural Marketing Department,<ref name="departments">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Guntur-will-be-HQ-of-agri-department-Minister/article14425818.ece|title=Departments moving to new Capital Region|work=The Hindu|date=16 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405165729/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Guntur-will-be-HQ-of-agri-department-Minister/article14425818.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> the Tobacco Board and the [[Spices Board]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Goswami |first1=Bhupen |title=Bengal Opposes Tea Board of India headquarter shift To Assam |url=https://www.apnnews.com/bengal-opposes-tea-board-of-india-headquarter-shift-to-assam/ |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=APN News |date=8 October 2018 |location=Guwahati|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405165918/https://www.apnnews.com/bengal-opposes-tea-board-of-india-headquarter-shift-to-assam/ |archive-date=5 April 2021 }}</ref>
India is the world's biggest exporter of chillies and much of this is grown around Guntur.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/magazine/dry-red-chilli-nothing-chilly-about-these-little-red-devils/20034 |title=Dry Red Chilli – Nothing chilly about these little red devils |date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=The Dollar Business |archive-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313021958/https://in.thedollarbusiness.com/magazine/dry-red-chilli-nothing-chilly-about-these-little-red-devils/20034 |url-status=live}}</ref> The city's Agriculture Market Committee Market Yard in Guntur is the largest [[Chili pepper|chilli]] yard in Asia; in 2023, its sales exceeded sales {{INRConvert|10000|c|abbr=on}} during that year's trading season.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Jonathan|first1=P. Samuel|title=Trading at Guntur chilli marketyard comes to a halt|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/trading-at-guntur-chilli-yard-comes-to-a-halt/article8365792.ece|access-date=27 May 2017|work=The Hindu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317133238/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/trading-at-guntur-chilli-yard-comes-to-a-halt/article8365792.ece|archive-date=17 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="largestchilliyard" /> There are also several spinning mills on the outskirts of the city.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jonathan |first1=P. Samuel |title=Highway connectivity set to improve in Guntur |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/highway-connectivity-set-to-improve-in-guntur/article25809979.ece |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=23 December 2018 |language=en-IN|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103442/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/highway-connectivity-set-to-improve-in-guntur/article25809979.ece |archive-date=8 November 2020 }}</ref>
== Culture ==
Residents of Guntur are referred as ''Gunturians''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Braving chill, Gunturians walk with enthusiasm|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Braving-chill-Gunturians-walk-with-enthusiasm/article14019104.ece|access-date=3 March 2016|work=The Hindu|date=25 January 2016|location=Guntur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405170205/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Braving-chill-Gunturians-walk-with-enthusiasm/article14019104.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Cultural events with focus on literature and poetry are regularly organised.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/folk-art-fete-in-guntur/article3086666.ece|title=Folk art fete in Guntur |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India|date=7 August 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311222104/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/folk-art-fete-in-guntur/article3086666.ece|archive-date=11 March 2021}}</ref> Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram and Annamaiah Kalavedika are  popular venues for cultural programs. In 2021, a new venue called Gurram Jashua Kala Pranganam was being constructed.<ref>{{Cite news|title=New Kala Pranganam at Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/minister-reviews-jashua-kala-pranganam-project/article32681203.ece|access-date=23 November 2021|work=The Hindu|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123165314/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/minister-reviews-jashua-kala-pranganam-project/article32681203.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The city observes many festivals such as [[Rama Navami]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Rama Navami festival in Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/srirama-navami-celebrated-on-a-grand-scale/article4636700.ece|access-date=16 October 2017|work=The Hindu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117003730/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/srirama-navami-celebrated-on-a-grand-scale/article4636700.ece|archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> [[Hanuman Jayanti|Hanuman Jayanthi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Hanuman Jayanthi in Guntur|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-special-pujas-performed-to-mark-hanuman-jayanti-623048|access-date=24 November 2021|work=The Hans India}}</ref> [[Maha Shivaratri]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Guntur: Maha Shivarathri festival|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250217/guntur-mahashivratri-fervour-everywhere.html|access-date=17 November 2017|work=Deccan Chronicle|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051130/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250217/guntur-mahashivratri-fervour-everywhere.html|archive-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> [[Ganesh Chaturthi|Vinayaka Chavithi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Vinayaka Chavithi festivities in Guntur|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2015-09-17/Vinayaka-Chavithi-festivities-in-Guntur/176332|access-date=17 November 2017|work=The Hans India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051131/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2015-09-17/Vinayaka-Chavithi-festivities-in-Guntur/176332|archive-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> [[Navaratri|Vijaya Dasami]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Navaratri in Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/temples-decked-up-for-navaratri-festivities-in-guntur/article5206200.ece|access-date=11 November 2017|work=The Hindu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830191348/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/temples-decked-up-for-navaratri-festivities-in-guntur/article5206200.ece|archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> [[Diwali|Deepawali]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Diwali celebrated with gaiety in AP, Telangana|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2015-11-12/Diwali-celebrated-with-gaiety-in-AP-Telangana/186016|access-date=4 October 2016|work=The Hans India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051128/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2015-11-12/Diwali-celebrated-with-gaiety-in-AP-Telangana/186016|archive-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> [[Holi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Gaiety, colour, fervour mark Holi festivities|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gaiety-colour-fervour-mark-holi-festivities/article8390879.ece|access-date=4 October 2016|work=The Hindu|date=24 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324023155/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gaiety-colour-fervour-mark-holi-festivities/article8390879.ece|archive-date=24 March 2016}}</ref> [[Ugadi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Sahiti Vasanthotsavam on Ugadi|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/sahiti-vasanthotsavam-on-ugadi/article4597499.ece|access-date=22 November 2017|work=The Hindu|date=9 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831090250/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/sahiti-vasanthotsavam-on-ugadi/article4597499.ece|archive-date=31 August 2014}}</ref> [[Eid al-Adha|Eid]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Nation Celebrates Eid-ul-Adha with Religious Fervour|url=http://www.sakshipost.com/news/2016/09/13/nation-celebrates-eid-ul-adha-with-religious-fervour|access-date=4 October 2016|work=Sakshipost|date=13 September 2016}}</ref> [[Krishna Janmashtami|Krishnastami]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Gaiety, fervour mark Krishna Janmashtami|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/aug/15/gaiety-fervour-mark-krishna-janmashtami-1643356.html|access-date=11 November 2017|work=New Indian Express|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051126/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/aug/15/gaiety-fervour-mark-krishna-janmashtami-1643356.html|archive-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> [[Christmas]],<ref>{{cite news|title=CM Chandrababu for Guntur today|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2014-12-24/CM-Chandrababu-for-Guntur-today/122666|access-date=4 October 2016|work=The Hans India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128020452/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2014-12-24/CM-Chandrababu-for-Guntur-today/122666|archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> [[Kartik Purnima|Karthika Pournami]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Karthika pournami celebrations in Guntur|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-11-24/Karthika-Pournami-celebrated-in-Guntur/446803|access-date=24 November 2021|work=The Hans India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Karthika pournami in Guntur|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/nov/17/surya-lanka-gears-up-for-karthika-pournami-2384668.html|access-date=24 November 2021|work=New Indian Express}}</ref>
=== Cityscape ===
The major commercial and residential areas in the city include Arundelpet, Lakshmipuram and Brodipet. Other major areas of the city are Koretapadu, Navabharath Nagar, Pattabhipuram, Syamalanagar and Vidyanagar, Autonagar, [[Gorantla, Guntur|Gorantla]], [[Pedapalakaluru]], [[Nallapadu]], [[Budampadu]] and [[Chowdavaram, Guntur|Chowdavaram]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Samuel Jonathan |first1=P |date=24 July 2014 |title=Guntur looking skyward |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/guntur-looking-skyward/article6242690.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309124420/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/guntur-looking-skyward/article6242690.ece |archive-date=9 March 2021 |access-date=28 February 2016 |work=The Hans India |location=Vijayawada}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Guntur Inner Ring Road Inaugurated by Kiran|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/feb/17/Guntur-Inner-Ring-Road-Inaugurated-by-Kiran-576626.html|access-date=3 March 2016|work=The New Indian Express|date=17 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051130/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/feb/17/Guntur-Inner-Ring-Road-Inaugurated-by-Kiran-576626.html|archive-date=13 August 2019}}</ref>
{{Multiple image
| image1  = Baudha Sree Archaeological Museum in Guntur.jpg
| image2 = Jinnah tower guntur.jpg
| align= center
| caption1 = Baudhasree Archaeological Museum, AC College Road, Kannavari Thota
| caption2 = Jinna Tower, MG Road
| image3 = Chuttugunta center, Guntur.jpg
| caption3 = Chuttugunta center in Guntur
| width3= 268
| width2= 220
}}
[[Jinnah Tower]] on Mahatma Gandhi Road is a rare monument related to [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], founder of Pakistan, in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/07/stories/2003090701152000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031027094440/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/07/stories/2003090701152000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-10-27|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2003-09-07|title=Tower of harmony in Guntur}}</ref> Guntur has 17 parks, some of which are maintained by the municipal corporation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Other parks in Guntur city !!|url=http://www.gunturcorporation.org/about_gmc/other_parks.html|website=Guntur Municipal Corporation|access-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924024653/http://www.gunturcorporation.org/about_gmc/other_parks.html|archive-date=2016-09-24|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Nagaravanam, a part of Perecherla Reserve Forest, was developed on the outskirts of the city as a park.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nagara Vanam Park at Guntur|url=http://www.uniindia.com/cm-inaugurates-nagara-vanam-park-at-guntur/states/news/1037130.html|access-date=14 November 2017|work=United News India|date=14 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217044720/http://www.uniindia.com:80/cm-inaugurates-nagara-vanam-park-at-guntur/states/news/1037130.html|archive-date=17 February 2020}}</ref>
{{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=220|frame-height=180|text=Tourist attractions and landmarks in Guntur (Interactive map)
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Tourist attractions in Guntur include the Sri Ganga Parvathi Sametha Agastheswara Temple. In the old city, notable sites include Gandhi Park, the Baudhasree architectural museum, Nagaravanam, and NTR Manasa Sarovaram. Nearby ancient temples and heritage sites include the [[Amararama|Amareswaraswamy temple]], [[Undavalli Caves]], Sri Bramarambha Malleswara Swamy Temple at [[Pedakakani]], and [[Kondaveedu Fort]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hill festival|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2019-01-11/Kotappakonda-fest-to-promote-eco-awareness/473270|access-date=30 December 2019|work=The Hans India|date=30 December 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230152404/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2019-01-11/Kotappakonda-fest-to-promote-eco-awareness/473270|archive-date=30 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Hill festival Kondaveedu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/kondaveedu-hill-festival-from-today/article26285046.ece|access-date=30 December 2019|work=The Hindu|date=30 December 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230152407/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/kondaveedu-hill-festival-from-today/article26285046.ece|archive-date=30 December 2019}}</ref> The [[Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary]] is located {{cvt|10|km}} from the city, while [[Suryalanka Beach]] is approximately {{cvt|60|km}} away.
Agastheswara Sivalayam, situated in Guntur’s old city, is a temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It holds historical significance with inscriptions in the ancient "Naga Lipi" script, dating back to 1100 AD. The temple is among the most well-known in the region. According to local legends, the sage [[Agastya|Rishi Agastya]] constructed the temple during the [[Treta Yuga]], centered around a naturally occurring Swayambhu Linga, which led to the temple's name.{{sfn|Chandra Rao|2014|p=11}} Constructed in the early 20th century, [[Jinnah Tower]] is a notable monument in Guntur dedicated to [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], the founder of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blog: Finding Kamala Nehru in Pakistan, Jinnah in Guntur |url=https://www.ndtv.com/blog/finding-kamala-nehru-in-pakistan-jinnah-in-guntur-764557 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> This impressive heritage structure features six pillars and an open dome, showcasing typical architectural styles of Muslim design from that era. Strategically located on Mahatma Gandhi Road, one of the city's main arterial road, the tower serves as a symbol of peace and harmony, reflecting the secular values embraced by the local community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/07/stories/2003090701152000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031027094440/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/07/stories/2003090701152000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2003|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 November 2024|title=Tower of harmony in Guntur}}</ref>
== Environment ==
[[File:Gandhi Park, Guntur.jpg|thumb|Gandhi Park,GT Road, Samabsivapet]]
[[File:Guntur-Lake.jpg|thumb|Gujjanagundla lake]]
[[File:Manasarovar in Guntur City.jpg|thumb|right|NTR Manasa Sarovaram park, Nandivelugu Road]]
In 2019, pollution levels in Guntur city were at a moderate level when compared with other major cities.<ref>{{Cite news|title=pollution in Guntur|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/070917/pollution-in-guntur-is-less-unido.html|access-date=27 October 2021|work=Deccan Chronicle|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027144418/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/070917/pollution-in-guntur-is-less-unido.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There have been many efforts to increase awareness and keep the city clean,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Effort to get clean city tag for Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/will-make-every-effort-to-get-clean-city-tag-for-guntur-mp/article32755395.ece|access-date=27 October 2021|work=The Hindu|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027144904/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/will-make-every-effort-to-get-clean-city-tag-for-guntur-mp/article32755395.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> including a 100-day cleanup drive in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Clean drive Guntur|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/oct/21/100-day-clean-drive-take-up-in-guntur-2373946.html|access-date=27 October 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027151051/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/oct/21/100-day-clean-drive-take-up-in-guntur-2373946.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A plastic-waste-to-fuel conversion plant was set up in the city; fuel from the plant was used for vehicles run by the GMC.<ref>{{Cite news|title=GMC uses fuel from Waste-to-Fuel plant|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/dec/20/guntur-municipal-corporation-vehicles-now-run-on-fuel-generated-from-plastic-waste-2238734.html|access-date=27 October 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027145600/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/dec/20/guntur-municipal-corporation-vehicles-now-run-on-fuel-generated-from-plastic-waste-2238734.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Waste to Fuel Plant at Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/plastic-waste-now-fuels-gmc-fleet-of-vehicles/article33349345.ece|access-date=27 October 2021|work=The Hindu|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027145600/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/plastic-waste-now-fuels-gmc-fleet-of-vehicles/article33349345.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
The GMC started using electric vehicles for domestic garbage collection in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=GMC gets electric vehicles|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-gmc-to-procure-220-e-autos-soon-709351|access-date=27 October 2021|work=The Hans India|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027150717/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-gmc-to-procure-220-e-autos-soon-709351|url-status=live}}</ref> E-auto rickshaws were introduced in the city to reduce air and noise pollution; many electric charging stations have been set up across the city for this purpose.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Electric charging stations|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/oct/12/nine-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-to-come-up-in-guntur-1884424.html|access-date=27 October 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027175615/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/oct/12/nine-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-to-come-up-in-guntur-1884424.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Efforts to reduce plastic use in the city and replace it with environment-friendly materials like jute, paper  and cloth have been made.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Reducing plastic usage|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/nov/04/guntur-municipal-corporation-to-impose-ban-on-plastic-from-november-11-2379538.html|access-date=4 November 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104154934/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/nov/04/guntur-municipal-corporation-to-impose-ban-on-plastic-from-november-11-2379538.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, United Nations Human Settlement Program planners recommended implementation of larger parks, mass transit with metro trains and electric bus systems, and improvements to city expansion plans.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Key issues with Guntur development|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/sustainable-city-strategy-for-guntur-flags-key-issues/article37964506.ece|access-date=23 December 2021|work=The Hindu|archive-date=23 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223192814/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/sustainable-city-strategy-for-guntur-flags-key-issues/article37964506.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Transport==
Local transport in Guntur includes privately operated [[auto rickshaw]]s, taxi cabs, minibuses and government-run [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|APSRTC]] buses.<ref name="localtransport">{{Cite news|title=Private operators eat into APSRTC's income|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250217/private-operators-eat-into-apsrtcs-income.html|access-date=24 May 2017|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=25 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406040936/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250217/private-operators-eat-into-apsrtcs-income.html|archive-date=6 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/aug/17/auto-rickshaw-drivers-charge-double-fare-1510037.html|title=Auto-rickshaw drivers charge double fare|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=24 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406035356/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/aug/17/Auto-rickshaw-drivers-charge-double-fare-1510037.html|archive-date=6 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/new-fleet-of-city-buses-in-guntur/article7560407.ece|title=New fleet of city buses in Guntur|author=Staff Reporter|date=20 August 2015|work=The Hindu|access-date=21 May 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405174439/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/new-fleet-of-city-buses-in-guntur/article7560407.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Auto rickshaws operating on a sharing basis are the cheapest form of transport for students and workers. [[NTR bus station]] and an adjacent minibus station accommodate more than 2,000 buses every day, about half of them from depots in the erstwhile united district.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-separate-bus-stand-for-vijayawada-buses-602978|title=Mini bus station to run buses towards vijayawada|date=6 February 2020|website=The Hans India|language=en|access-date=6 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405174603/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/guntur-separate-bus-stand-for-vijayawada-buses-602978|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/mar/29/mini-bus-station-at-guntur-to-help-ease-traffic-congestion-1794185.html|title=Mini bus station at Guntur to help ease traffic congestion|website=The New Indian Express|date=29 March 2018 |access-date=21 May 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405174527/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/mar/29/mini-bus-station-at-guntur-to-help-ease-traffic-congestion-1794185.html|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> Plans for e-Bus Bay centres in the city were proposed in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Civic body to set up 20 e-Bus Bay Centres in Guntur, panel formed|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/aug/31/civic-body-to-set-up-20-e-bus-bay-centres-in-guntur-panel-formed-2352115.html|access-date=27 October 2021|work=New Indian Express|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027180113/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/aug/31/civic-body-to-set-up-20-e-bus-bay-centres-in-guntur-panel-formed-2352115.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Roads ===
The city has a total of {{Convert|893.00|km|abbr=on}} of roads.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Details of Roads in each ULB of Andhra Pradesh|url=http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|website=Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department|access-date=27 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101300/http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|archive-date=1 August 2016}}</ref> [[Inner Ring Road, Guntur|Mahatma Gandhi Inner Ring Road]] is a {{convert|6.34|km|mi|abbr=out|adj=on}} [[arterial road]] that starts on [[National Highway 16 (India)|National Highway 16]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2014 |title=AP CM inaugurates phase I & II of Guntur inner ring road |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ap-cm-inaugurates-phase-i-ii-of-guntur-inner-ring-road-114021600601_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162958/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ap-cm-inaugurates-phase-i-ii-of-guntur-inner-ring-road-114021600601_1.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=3 March 2016 |work=Business Standard |location=Hyderabad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 February 2014 |title=Guntur Inner Ring Road Inaugurated by Kiran |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/feb/17/Guntur-Inner-Ring-Road-Inaugurated-by-Kiran-576626.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051130/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/feb/17/Guntur-Inner-Ring-Road-Inaugurated-by-Kiran-576626.html |archive-date=13 August 2019 |access-date=4 June 2016 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>  The inner ring road, along with Guntur Bypass, and sections of national and state highways, encircles the city. The arterial city roads include Grand Trunk Road, JKC College Road, Lakshmipuram Road, Pattabhipuram Road and Palakaluru Road. The GMC identified Amaravati Road, Lalapuram Road, Medical Club Road, Chuttugunta Road and Palakaluru Road for double-laning, and many other roads for widening to accommodate traffic.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Main roads in Guntur city to be double-laned |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/andhra-pradesh/2019/Jul/11/main-roads-in-guntur-city-to-be-double-laned-2002414.html |date=2019-07-11 |access-date=2024-03-12 |publisher=The New Indian Express |archive-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312055703/https://www.newindianexpress.com/andhra-pradesh/2019/Jul/11/main-roads-in-guntur-city-to-be-double-laned-2002414.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[National highways of India|National highways]] (NH), [[List of state highways in Andhra Pradesh|state highways]] (SH) and major district roads pass through Guntur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3.4 Infrastructure |url=http://www.gunturcorporation.org/Adminx/Development_Plan.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711122514/http://www.gunturcorporation.org/Adminx/Development_Plan.pdf |archive-date=11 July 2019 |access-date=24 May 2017 |website=Guntur Municipal Corporation |page=19}}</ref> NH16, part of [[AH45|Asian Highway 45]] and [[Golden Quadrilateral]] with Guntur Bypass connects to [[Chennai]] and [[Kolkata]] on the east coast of India. NH167A and [[State Highway 2 (Andhra Pradesh)|SH2]] connect Guntur with [[Macherla]] and [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Two Guntur-Hyderabad highway stretches get NH status |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/2-guntur-hyd-highway-stretches-get-nh-status/articleshow/81727516.cms |publisher=[[Times of India]] |agency=TNN |author=Samdani MN |date=28 March 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515112457/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/2-guntur-hyd-highway-stretches-get-nh-status/articleshow/81727516.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> [[National Highway 544D (India)|NH544D]] connects Guntur with [[Anantapur]] and towards [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]] on [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH44]]. [[State Highway 48 (Andhra Pradesh)|SH48]] connects Guntur with the coast through  [[Bapatla]] and [[Chirala]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Samuel Jonathan|first1=P|title=Nizampatnam backwaters beckon adventure geeks|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/nizampatnam-backwaters-beckon-adventure-geeks/article7736196.ece|access-date=29 February 2016|work=The Hindu|date=8 October 2015|location=Guntur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190043/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/nizampatnam-backwaters-beckon-adventure-geeks/article7736196.ece|archive-date=27 June 2020}}</ref> Major district roads link Guntur with [[Amaravathi, Palnadu district|Amaravati]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=Guntur hogs limelight, bags two Central institutes|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/guntur-hogs-limelight-bags-two-central-institutes/article8013427.ece|access-date=25 June 2016|work=The Hindu|date=21 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405175248/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/guntur-hogs-limelight-bags-two-central-institutes/article8013427.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> [[Nandivelugu]], [[Tenali]],<ref>{{Cite news|title=It's rain's turn to torment Guntur|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/jun/11/its-rains-turn-to-torment-guntur-938947.html|access-date=25 June 2016|work=The New Indian Express|date=11 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163459/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/jun/11/Its-rains-turn-to-torment-Guntur-938947.html|archive-date=12 June 2018}}</ref> [[Mangalagiri]], and [[Parchur]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=:: APRDC|url=http://aprdc.ap.gov.in/UI/Profile.aspx|website=Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation|publisher=Roads and Buildings Department|access-date=9 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109221321/http://aprdc.ap.gov.in/UI/Profile.aspx|archive-date=9 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Rail===
Guntur's main railway stations are {{rws|Guntur Junction}}, {{rws|Nallapadu}} and {{rws|New Guntur}}.<ref name="rail">{{Cite news|title=Connected Guntur will spur growth|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151221/nation-current-affairs/article/connected-guntur-will-spur-growth|access-date=4 June 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=21 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502114408/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151221/nation-current-affairs/article/connected-guntur-will-spur-growth|archive-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>  Stations at {{rws|Namburu}}, [[Perecherla]] and {{rws|Pedakakani Halt}} serve as satellite stations.<ref name="misses metro">{{Cite news|title=Guntur misses metro rail project|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140922/nation-current-affairs/article/capital-talk-guntur-misses-metro-rail-project|access-date=28 August 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=22 September 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406050905/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140922/nation-current-affairs/article/capital-talk-guntur-misses-metro-rail-project|archive-date=6 April 2019}}</ref> [[MEMU]] and local train services between Guntur and Vijayawada are used by thousands of university students and public.<ref name="misses metro"/> The Rail Vikas Bhavan{{clarify|reason=What does "Vikas Bhaven" mean?|date=May 2024}} at Pattabhipuram is the headquarters of [[Guntur railway division]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/jul/04ap.htm|title=Rediff On The NeT: Paswan to inaugurate new railway division at Guntur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050247/http://www.rediff.com/news/jul/04ap.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Guntur Junction railway station|Guntur railway station]] is well connected with [[Vijayawada Junction railway station|Vijayawada]] and [[Tenali Junction railway station|Tenali railway stations]].
===Air===
[[Vijayawada Airport|Vijayawada international airport]], the nearest airport to Guntur, is {{cvt|54|km}} away.<ref name="Businessline">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/gannavaram-airport-named-after-amaravati/article9475939.ece|title=Gannavaram Airport to be named as Amaravati airport|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=12 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405174832/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/gannavaram-airport-named-after-amaravati/article9475939.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
===Gallery===
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=220 | height=180
|align=center
|footer=
|File:NTR Bus Station Bepartye Block.jpg|[[NTR bus station|NTR Bus Station, Thamma Rangareddy Nagar]]
|File:Mahatma Gandhi Inner Ring Road, Guntur.jpg|Mahatma Gandhi Inner Ring Road at its  starting point of Autonagar on [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH16]]
|File:Gunturstation.jpg|[[Guntur Junction railway station]], Sambasivapet
}}
== Education and research ==
{{See also|List of educational institutions in Vijayawada-Guntur Region}}
[[File:Guntur-Agri-University.jpg|thumb|right|Guntur Agricultural University campus]]
Primary and secondary education is provided by government and private schools. Aided schools were either transferred to government or became private in 2020 as per a government mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal {{!}} AP State Portal |url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |website=ap.gov.in |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155331/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |archive-date= 7 November 2016 }}</ref> According to the school information report for the academic year 2015–2016, more than one lakh (100,000) students were enrolled in over 400 schools.<ref>{{Cite web|title=School Information Report|url=http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/totalSchoolReport.xls#|website=Commissionerate of School Education|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108154343/http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/totalSchoolReport.xls|archive-date=8 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Student Information Report|url=http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/districtStudentReport.do?mode=getVillageReportsList&mandalCode=281726&mandalName=GUNTUR|website=Commissionerate of School Education|publisher=Child info 2015–16, District School Education – Andhra Pradesh|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108200839/http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/districtStudentReport.do?mode=getVillageReportsList&mandalCode=281726&mandalName=GUNTUR|url-status=dead}}</ref> The medium of instruction in municipal corporation schools was switched to English from the year 2016-2017.<ref name="municipal_schools">{{Cite news|title=74 GMC schools switch to English medium – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/74-GMC-schools-switch-to-English-medium/articleshow/53203336.cms|access-date=23 September 2016|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203095858/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/74-GMC-schools-switch-to-English-medium/articleshow/53203336.cms|archive-date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Mallikarjun|first1=Y.|title=Classrooms in State-run schools set to go digital|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/classrooms-in-staterun-schools-set-to-go-digital/article8293878.ece|access-date=23 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=29 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228154844/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/classrooms-in-staterun-schools-set-to-go-digital/article8293878.ece|archive-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>
The public library system in Guntur is supported by the government and the district central library is located at Arundalpet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Libraries in Guntur|url=http://publiclibraries.ap.nic.in/distwise/guntur.html|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621050024/http://publiclibraries.ap.nic.in/distwise/guntur.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Annamayya library was set up with 1 lakh books that were donated by bibliophile [[Lanka Suryanarayana]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/passion-for-books-leads-to-library-of-2-lakh-books-in-andhra-pradeshs-guntur-113273.html |title=Passion for books leads to library of 2 lakh books in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur |date=2023-02-27 |access-date=2024-03-11 |publisher=India Narrative |archive-date=11 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311062502/https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/passion-for-books-leads-to-library-of-2-lakh-books-in-andhra-pradeshs-guntur-113273.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Hindu College, Guntur|Hindu College]] and [[Andhra Christian College]] were established during the [[British Raj]] for higher education. [[Jagarlamudi Kuppuswamy Chowdary College]], [[RVR & JC College of Engineering]], Tellakula Jalayya Polisetty Somasundaram College (TJPS College), Government College for Women and St. Joseph's College of Education for Women are autonomous colleges.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Autonomous colleges list|url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/colleges/autonomous_colleges-list.pdf|website=Universities Grants Commission|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018071151/http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/colleges/autonomous_colleges-list.pdf|archive-date=18 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Guntur Medical College]] is one of the oldest medical colleges in the state.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=MCI team inspects Guntur Medical College|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/mci-team-inspects-guntur-medical-college/article8246146.ece|access-date=27 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=17 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201045638/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/mci-team-inspects-guntur-medical-college/article8246146.ece|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> Several higher education institutes such as [[Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research]],  [[Katuri Medical College]], [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri]], [[Acharya Nagarjuna University]]  and [[Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University]] have campuses near the city.
A regional [[Agmark]] laboratory,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Information on Right to Information Act, 2005 Pertaining to Directorate of Marketing & Inspection|url=http://www.agmarknet.nic.in/right_info2.htm#Rules,%20Regulations,%20instructions,%20manuals%20and%20records%20held%20by%20it%20or|website=Agricultural Marketing|access-date=4 October 2016|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021203742/http://www.agmarknet.nic.in/right_info2.htm#Rules,%20Regulations,%20instructions,%20manuals%20and%20records%20held%20by%20it%20or|url-status=live}}</ref> and a regional station of the [[Central Tobacco Research Institute]] of the [[Indian Council of Agricultural Research]] are located in Guntur.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bureau|first1=Our|title=Tobacco Board sets export target at Rs 10,000 cr|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/Tobacco-Board-sets-export-target-at-Rs-10000-cr/article20870831.ece|access-date=4 October 2016|work=The Hindu Business Line|date=22 September 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405175644/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/Tobacco-Board-sets-export-target-at-Rs-10000-cr/article20870831.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> The city hosts many national, and state-level conferences and expos on the economy, agriculture and technology.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bureau|first1=Our|title=Tech expo in Guntur|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/dec/04/vignan-varsity-hosts-tech-expo-1717828.html|access-date=28 December 2017|work=New Indian Express|date=4 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232258/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2017/dec/04/vignan-varsity-hosts-tech-expo-1717828.html|archive-date=28 December 2017}}</ref>
== Media ==
''[[Eenadu]]'', ''[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]]'' and ''[[Andhra Jyothi]]'' are the most-popular Telugu daily newspapers in terms of circulation in the united Andhra Pradesh and the top-three Telugu news sites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highest circulated dailies, weeklies & magazines amongst member publications (across languages) |url=http://www.auditbureau.org/files/JJ%202022%20Highest%20Circulated%20%28across%20languages%29.pdf |access-date=8 March 2023 |website=Auditbureau |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408045534/http://www.auditbureau.org/files/JJ%202022%20Highest%20Circulated%20(across%20languages).pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Webometric analysis of Telugu news paper websites: An evaluative study using Alexa Internet |journal=International Journal of Digital Library Services |last1=KT |first1=Naheem |last2=M |first2=Saraswati Rao |issue=2 |volume=7 |year=2017 |issn=2250-1142}}</ref> The newspapers ''Surya'' and ''[[Vaartha]]'' are published from Guntur.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.davp.nic.in/writereaddata/u869.pdf |title=Print media newspapers list eligible for advt. release |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=DAVP |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314005528/https://www.davp.nic.in/writereaddata/u869.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'', ''[[The New Indian Express]]'', ''[[The Hans India]]'' and ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' are a few of the English-language daily newspapers that are circulated in Guntur.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
== Sports ==
Sporting infrastructure in Guntur includes Brahmananda Reddy Stadium for [[tennis]], [[badminton]], [[volleyball]], athletics, and [[gymnastics]];<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Jonathan|first1=P. Samuel|title=Kids learn the basics of tennis|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kids-learn-the-basics-of-tennis/article8648369.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=26 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526010115/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/kids-learn-the-basics-of-tennis/article8648369.ece|archive-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Guntur athletic trials|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/guntur-athletic-trials/article7634817.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=10 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405175930/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/guntur-athletic-trials/article7634817.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> and NTR Municipal Indoor Stadium for [[table tennis]] and volleyball.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Place for TT at NTR indoor stadium|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/Place-for-TT-at-NTR-indoor-stadium/article14492394.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=16 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180023/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/Place-for-TT-at-NTR-indoor-stadium/article14492394.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=Volleyball tournament off to a smashing start in Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/volleyball-tournament-off-to-a-smashing-start-in-guntur/article8278892.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=25 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180057/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/volleyball-tournament-off-to-a-smashing-start-in-guntur/article8278892.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> A [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] pool is proposed to be added to Brahmananda Reddy Stadium<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=Nod for swimming pool at BR stadium in Guntur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/nod-for-swimming-pool-at-br-stadium-in-guntur/article4797193.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=9 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611001921/http://www.thehindu.com:80/news/national/andhra-pradesh/nod-for-swimming-pool-at-br-stadium-in-guntur/article4797193.ece|archive-date=11 June 2013}}</ref> and a [[boxing]] ring is being planned for NTR municipal stadium.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=Young boxers from Guntur district win laurels|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/young-boxers-from-guntur-district-win-laurels/article6571119.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=6 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180200/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/young-boxers-from-guntur-district-win-laurels/article6571119.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
Guntur has hosted sporting events such as the All India Senior Tennis Association,<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=AISTA tennis tourney gets under way|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/aista-tennis-tourney-gets-under-way/article8176872.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=1 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180231/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/aista-tennis-tourney-gets-under-way/article8176872.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> the All India Sub Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament,<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|title=Badminton tourney gets under way|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/badminton-tourney-gets-under-way/article7781956.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=20 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180322/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/badminton-tourney-gets-under-way/article7781956.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> the All India Invitation Volleyball Tournament,<ref name="The Hindu" /> the Ganta Sanjeeva Reddy Memorial Trophy<ref>{{Cite news|title=Swimming championships from July 10 – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Swimming-championships-from-July-10/articleshow/52912438.cms|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Times of India|date=25 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104033824/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Swimming-championships-from-July-10/articleshow/52912438.cms|archive-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> and the Inter-district Master Aquatic Championship.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Inter-district Master Aquatic Championship inaugurated|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-07-10/Inter-district-Master-Aquatic-Championship-inaugurated/241139|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hans India|date=10 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905002945/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-07-10/Inter-district-Master-Aquatic-Championship-inaugurated/241139|archive-date=5 September 2017}}</ref>  The city was also a host for the Khelo India programme for junior-level national sports in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|title=Khelo India: Nellore, Guntur chosen venues|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Khelo-India-Nellore-Guntur-chosen-venues/article16920349.ece|access-date=15 January 2017|work=The Hindu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153321/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Khelo-India-Nellore-Guntur-chosen-venues/article16920349.ece|archive-date=22 December 2016}}</ref> The city hosts mini-marathons and {{cvt|10|km}} walks.<ref>{{Cite news|title=10K Walk Guntur|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2019-01-28/10K-walk-flagged-off-in-Guntur/483224?infinitescroll=1|access-date=23 November 2021|work=The Hans India|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123160518/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2019-01-28/10K-walk-flagged-off-in-Guntur/483224?infinitescroll=1|url-status=live}}</ref> International sports personalities from Guntur include cricketer [[Ambati Rayudu]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ambati Rayudu|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/33141.html|website=Cricinfo|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203005037/http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/33141.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and badminton player [[Srikanth Kidambi]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Jonathan|first1=P. Samuel|title=Guntur lad scripts history in badminton|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/guntur-lad-scripts-history-in-badminton/article6605242.ece|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Hindu|date=17 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180537/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/guntur-lad-scripts-history-in-badminton/article6605242.ece|archive-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bhatt|first1=Shephali|title=Srikanth Kidambi: On losing temporary limelight and keeping permanent focus on the game – The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/srikanth-kidambi-on-losing-temporary-limelight-and-keeping-permanent-focus-on-the-game/articleshow/54500986.cms|access-date=29 September 2016|work=The Economic Times|date=25 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910201943/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/srikanth-kidambi-on-losing-temporary-limelight-and-keeping-permanent-focus-on-the-game/articleshow/54500986.cms|archive-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
== See also ==
* [[Guntur Municipal Corporation]]
* [[Guntur district]]
* [[APCRDA]]
* [[List of people from Guntur|List of People from Guntur]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
* {{Cite news|title=Guntur Municipal Corporation Situation analysis report|last=HDHV|year=2016|url=http://guntur.cdma.ap.gov.in/sites/default/files/City%20Sanitation-Plan%20.pdf|access-date=13 June 2018|work=guntur.cdma.ap.gov.in|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613161332/http://guntur.cdma.ap.gov.in/sites/default/files/City%20Sanitation-Plan%20.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{Cite book
| last1=Chandra Rao
| first1=Dr. P. Purna
| title=Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism
| year=2023
| publisher=[[Acharya Nagarjuna University]]
| isbn=
| edition= 1
| location=Guntur
}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Guntur}}
{{Wikivoyage|Guntur City}}
*[https://overpass-turbo.eu/s/1IPS OSM map overlaid with Guntur Municipal Corporation limits, Guntur bypass and Inner Ring Road]
{{Guntur topics}}
{{Guntur district}}
{{Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Mandal headquarters in Guntur district}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Guntur| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Mandal headquarters in Guntur district]]
[[Category:District headquarters of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh Capital Region]]