Curchorem (Kudchade) is a City and municipal council in the South Goa district of Goa, India. Curchorem is a part of the Quepem taluka and is a twin town with Sanvordem, both located on either side of the Zuari River. The town is self-sufficient and has a number of hospitals (including a Government Primary Health Centre), schools, a police station, banks, ATMs, a railway station, good road links, a market, places of worship, restaurants, a play ground, an electricity station and a theatre.
Geography
Curchorem is located at and has an average elevation of . The confluence of Uguem and Guleli rivers at Sanguem or Sangam is known as Zuari river. It runs north west up to sanvordem. Further it runs up to the west till Kushawati River and joins at Xelvona. Then again it changes its direction to the north till it reaches Panchwadi and further flows up to Rachol. again flows up to north to Borim and further north-west up to Racaim, Durbhat and finally to the Arabian Sea where it joins to Mormugao. It covers 67 kilometers in the goa district.
Climate
Curchorem features a tropical monsoon climate. The climate in Curchorem is hot in summer and equable in winter. During summers (from March to May) the temperature reaches up to 32 °C and in winters (from December to February) it is usually between 25.8 °C and 20 °C. The monsoon period is from June to September with heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The annual average rainfall is 2699 mm (106.24 inches).
Demographics
As of the 2011 Census of India, Curchorem Cacora had a population of 22,730. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Curchorem Cacora had an average literacy rate of 88.85%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy was 92.57% and female literacy 84.97%. 10.54% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Administration and Law
The city is divided to wards like Pontemol, Morailem, Bansai, Cariamoddi, Shirfod, Bepquegal, Madhegal, Cacora, Dabhamoll, Kamral, Khamamoll, Baga-Curchorem and Kakkumoddi. There is an elected member from each ward in the municipality. The members elect a municipal chairperson.
The city also sends a member to the Goa Legislative Assembly and in the Lok Sabha, is a part of the South Goa constituency. The present MLA is Nilesh Cabral of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Churchorem have a police station, which serve city of Curchorem and neighbouring villages. Curchorem also have a major fire station which cater to areas like Chandor, Curchorem, Sanvordem and Quepem. The fire station have one emergency rescue tender, two heavy water tenders and one quick response vehicle. It have between 40 and 50 fire fighters.
Economy
Zuari river as it flows down from the hills divides this village into two: the northern part is called Sanvordem and southern as CURCHOREM. Being navigable. this river is largely responsible to the prosperity of the town, where small vessels with passengers, goods and merchandise touched the small dock at khamamoll from Panaji, Old Goa etc. Also small wooden rafters, salts, vegetables etc. touched this small dock.
The railway line from marmagoa to londa passing through curchorem, kalay, Collem was laid in the year 1880 which led to the economic prosperity of this place.
The major economic activity is that of mining in this region. Many mining companies ply their trucks via Curchorem. The ore reserves around this area are home to major business houses of Goa like Sesa Goa (Renamed Sesa Sterlite Ltd), Dempo (Now Sesa Resources Ltd), Timblo, Salgaocar, Fomentos Minescape, Agencia Mineral Maritima, Agarwal, Bandekars, etc. Employment of majority of the population living in this town are directly or indirectly related to the Mining Industry.
The town has an industrial estate called the Kakoda Industrial Estate. It is home to many industries.
Culture
Curchorem has many places of worship namely Marutigad, Ganpati temple, Sateri temple, Purushmharu temple, Mahadev temple, Guardian Angel Church and the Jama Masjid. The town hosts a Shigmotsav festival early in the calendar year and recently also hosted the Carnival. The town also attracts devotees for the Zatras.