Palnadu is a district in Andhra Pradesh with Narasaraopet as its administrative headquarters. The present district came into existence on 4 April 2022 during the reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh’s districts and was formed mainly from the Narasaraopet, Sattenapalli and Gurazala revenue divisions of the former Guntur district. Palnadu is known for its agricultural economy, historic battle traditions, temples, Durgi stone carving, the Krishna River region and attractions such as Kotappakonda and Nagarjuna Sagar. The district has a population of 20,41,723 and covers roughly 7,300 sq. km.
Quick Overview of Palnadu District
| Particular | Details |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District Headquarters | Narasaraopet |
| District Formation | 4 April 2022 |
| Area | About 7,300 sq. km |
| Population | 20,41,723 |
| Literacy Rate | 53.19% |
| Revenue Divisions | 3 |
| Mandals | 28 |
| Villages | 366 |
| Main Court Complex | Narasaraopet Court Complex |
| Main Railway Station | Narasaraopet Railway Station |
| Railway Station Code | NRT |
| Railway Zone | South Central Railway |
| Railway Division | Guntur Division |
| Main Narasaraopet PIN Code | 522601 |
| Nearest Major Airport | Vijayawada International Airport |
| Official District Website | palnadu.ap.gov.in |
The latest district portal lists three revenue divisions, 28 mandals and 366 villages.
Location of Palnadu District
Palnadu lies in the central-western part of Andhra Pradesh and extends from the Narasaraopet and Sattenapalli areas towards Macherla and the Telangana border.
The district lies approximately between 16°03′ and 16°37′ north latitude and 79°22′ and 80°21′ east longitude. Its neighbouring areas include parts of Telangana to the north and districts such as Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam around its other boundaries.
The Krishna River is one of the district’s most important geographical features. Irrigation from the Nagarjuna Sagar system and other water sources supports agriculture. Major crops include:
- Paddy
- Jowar
- Bajra
- Black gram
- Bengal gram
- Red gram
- Cotton
- Chillies
- Tobacco
Palnadu is also known for Durgi stone carving, a traditional craft using locally available soft limestone.
Administration of Palnadu District
Narasaraopet is the district administrative headquarters.
Palnadu has three Revenue Divisions:
- Narasaraopet
- Sattenapalli
- Gurazala
These divisions contain a total of 28 mandals.
Narasaraopet Division
Its mandals include:
- Chilakaluripet
- Edlapadu
- Ipur
- Nadendla
- Narasaraopet
- Nuzendla
- Rompicherla
- Savalyapuram
- Vinukonda
Sattenapalli Division
Important mandals include Amaravathi, Atchampet, Bellamkonda, Krosuru, Muppalla, Nekarikallu, Pedakurapadu, Rajupalem and Sattenapalli.
Gurazala Division
It includes Bollapalli, Dachepalli, Durgi, Gurazala, Karempudi, Machavaram, Macherla, Piduguralla, Rentachintala and Veldurthi.
Narasaraopet, Sattenapalli, Vinukonda, Chilakaluripet, Piduguralla and Macherla are among the district’s important urban and commercial centres.
Palnadu District Court
Palnadu is a separate administrative district, but the judicial organisation has not followed exactly the same district boundary structure. Current judicial records continue to identify courts in Narasaraopet and other Palnadu towns under the Guntur Judicial District.
The Narasaraopet Court Complex is the main judicial centre at the district headquarters. Judicial establishments operating in Narasaraopet include senior civil courts and an Additional District Court. Recent Andhra Pradesh High Court records refer to the XIII Additional District Court, Narasaraopet, while judicial establishment records also list the Principal Senior Civil Judge Court at Narasaraopet.
Court complexes also operate in places such as:
- Gurazala
- Macherla
- Piduguralla
- Sattenapalli
- Vinukonda
- Chilakaluripet
Citizens can check case status, hearing dates, orders and cause lists through eCourts.
District Court Location
The principal local judicial facilities are situated at:
Court Complex, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District, Andhra Pradesh – 522601
The Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority officially lists a legal-services facility at the Narasaraopet Court Complex.
The complex can be reached from the railway station and bus stand by autorickshaw or other local road transport.
Narasaraopet Railway Station
Narasaraopet Railway Station is the main station serving the Palnadu district headquarters.
Railway Station Code: NRT
South Central Railway officially lists Narasaraopet under the Guntur Division. It lies on the Nallapadu–Nandyal railway section and provides connectivity towards Guntur and the interior parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Other important railway stations in Palnadu include:
- Sattenapalle – SAP
- Piduguralla – PGRL
- Nadikudi Junction – NDKD
- Macherla – MCLA
- Vinukonda – VKN
These stations can be more convenient than Narasaraopet for travellers heading to the western or northern parts of the district.
Narasaraopet Railway Station Location
Narasaraopet Railway Station is located on:
Railway Station Road, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District, Andhra Pradesh – 522601
The station is within the main town and is accessible by:
- Autorickshaws
- Local buses
- Taxis
- Private vehicles
The district’s official public-utility information also identifies Railway Station Road and Prakash Nagar within the 522601 postal area.
Road Connectivity
Narasaraopet has good road connectivity with major towns in and around Palnadu.
Important routes connect it with:
- Guntur
- Chilakaluripet
- Sattenapalli
- Vinukonda
- Piduguralla
- Macherla
- Vijayawada
Road transport is particularly important for tourist places that do not have direct railway access.
Nearest Airport to Palnadu
Palnadu does not have a commercial airport.
Vijayawada International Airport is the nearest major airport for much of the Narasaraopet side of the district. Government heritage documentation for a site in Palnadu also identifies Vijayawada International Airport as the nearest airport.
The exact road distance varies considerably depending on which part of this large district the traveller is visiting.
Palnadu Pin Code
The main PIN code of Narasaraopet is 522601.
India Post lists Narasaraopet Head Office – 522601.
Other important postal codes include:
- Chilakaluripet – 522616
- Sattenapalli – 522403
- Piduguralla – 522413
- Macherla – 522426
- Vinukonda – 522647
- Durgi – 522612
- Karempudi – 522614
Therefore, 522601 should not be used for every address in Palnadu district.
Major Tourist Places in Palnadu District
Kotappakonda
Kotappakonda is a major Shiva pilgrimage centre about 13 km southwest of Narasaraopet. The hill temple dedicated to Trikoteswara Swamy attracts large numbers of devotees, particularly during Maha Shivaratri.
Amaravathi
Amaravathi, on the Krishna River, is known for the Amareswara Temple, ancient Buddhist stupa and archaeological importance.
Nagarjuna Sagar and Ethipothala
The western side of Palnadu provides access towards the Nagarjuna Sagar region. Ethipothala Falls near Macherla is another well-known attraction mentioned by the district tourism department.
FAQs About Palnadu District
Q. Which railway station is most convenient for visiting Kotappakonda?
Narasaraopet Railway Station is generally the practical rail option. Kotappakonda is around 13 km southwest of Narasaraopet, so visitors need an autorickshaw, taxi or bus for the final road journey.
Q. Should I use Narasaraopet station for a trip to Macherla or Nagarjuna Sagar?
Not necessarily. Macherla has its own railway station, code MCLA, and Nadikudi Junction can also be useful depending on the train. Check the actual train route before booking rather than automatically selecting Narasaraopet.
Q. Can Nagarjuna Sagar and Ethipothala Falls be combined in one trip?
Yes. Both are on the western side of the district around the Macherla/Nagarjuna Sagar region, making them more practical to combine than attractions on the Narasaraopet or Amaravathi side.
Q. Where is the best place to look for traditional Durgi stone carvings?
Durgi itself is the natural place to look for the craft. The district’s One District One Product programme identifies Durgi stone carving as a recognised traditional product and notes that a sculpture and stone-carving school operates there.
