As of 2011[update]Census of India, the town had a population of 59,913 with 16,138 households. The total population constitute, 29,486 males and 30,427 —a sex ratio of 1032 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 940 per 1000.[9] 5,507 children are in the age group of 0–6 years. The average literacy rate stands at 78.33% with 42,617 literates, higher than the national average of 73.00%.[2][10]
Government and politics
Civic Administration
Ponnur Municipality oversees the civic needs of the town like, water supply, roads, sewage, garbage collection etc. It is classified as a Grade–II municipality which was established in 1964 as a III–Grade municipality.[11] It has an extent of 25.64 km2 (9.90 sq mi) with 31 wards.[12] The town gets water from the Krishna river, which is supplied through taps, bores etc. The town has both government and private hospitals which include, clinics, nursing homes and a Government hospital for public healthcare. It also maintains parks and playgrounds for recreational purpose[13]
Legend about Ponnuru | Once there lived two brahmans namely Kasibhatlu who was childless and his sister's son Nanduri Gunugovindu with deformed haunchback. They went on pilgrimage to Benares where Kasibhatlu moved with compassion, promised Govindu if ever daughter should be born to him, she would be given to him in marriage. Instantly Govindu called upon Bhava Narayana Swamy, a sacred river and certain trees growing on the banks as witnesses. Brahmans returned to Ponnuru. A daughter was born to Kasibhatlu. When She grew up, Govindu claimed the fulfillment of promise by Kasibhatlu . Kasibhatlu was reluctant to keep his word. Witnesses were called upon by Govindu. One night, when Kasibhatlu slept, Bhava Narayana Swamy appeared to remember promise. In morning when awoke, Kasibhatlu saw Ganges and trees at door, because of overflown river. Warned by witnesses Kasibhatlu gave his daughter to Govindu in marriage.[18] There are a few notable people from the town with their contributions to various fields such as, N. G. Ranga, Pragada Kotaiah. The town has an auditorium and a function hall for cultural events of the town.[13]
There are many religious worship centers in the town like, temples, mosques and churches.[13] Most notable religious structures are, the temples of Sakshi Bhavanarayana and Sahastra Lingeswara, a single stone carved statues of 24 ft (7.3 m) Anjaneya and 29 ft (8.8 m) Garuthmantha.[8][19]
Zilla parishad high school is the prominent one, run by Panchayat Raj department under the government of Andhra Pradesh. PBN is famous college for intermediate and degree courses. The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state.[25][26] The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.
The town has both government and private educational institutions with a total of 34 primary, 3 upper primary and 12 high schools. There are also two government run junior colleges.[13]
^ abc"Basic Information of Municipality". Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration. Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
^"Sex Ratio". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
^"Details of Roads in each ULB of Andhra Pradesh". Commissioner and Directorate of Municipal Administration. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department - Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
^"School Education Department"(PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original(PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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