Chirala pronunciation (Telugu: చీరాల) is the largest town (eligible to become City(Municipal Corporation)), mandal and a municipality located in Prakasam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Chirala-Perala, the twin town population of 2,53,000(agglomeration) (2010 census)and surrounded area included with more than 5 lakhs population from villages like Vetapalem, Epurupalem, Chinnaganjam, Pandhillapalli, Karamchedu, Vodarevu, Gundaipalem, and Motupalli. It used to be a Taluk of Guntur District, and later became part of then formed Prakasam District. The city is situated at a distance of 85 km south of Vijayawada and the city area developed above 50 km2 radius towards North Bapatla, south side up to Chinnaganjam, east side completely developed up to bay, and west side developed up to Parchur. The name has been derived from its ancient age name Ksheera Puri ("Here the sea looks as white as milk"). This town is the major hub for textile business in the district of Prakasam. Because of its large textile business it is also called Mini-Bombay or Chinna Bombay. There are some nice beaches and a few resorts with all the world class facilities.
The Indian Air Force has an air-base called Suryalanka near to Bapatla, very near to Chirala and it is a convenient place for the Airport (domestic and cargo) operations with help of IAF, Bapatla premises. Chirala is the major commercial centre between Vijayawada and Nellore and lies on the main railway line between Chennai and Kolkata. It located on NH-214A Highway connecting to Chennai Highway.
Chirala has three Engineering colleges and three which are located at different locations of the town.
1. Chirala Engineering college which is the first engineering college allocated to Chirala which runs under G.S.R & T.S.R Educational trust completed 10 years of excellence recently in 2011. This college is located on the shores of Ramapuram beach.
2. St.Ann's Engineering college though it started as a minority institution in chirala now it has became a premier institute with more than four colleges under its belt, the first college in town to be accredited by NBA. They also completed 10 years of excellence in 2011. This college is very near to Vetapalem.
3. V.R.S & Y.R.N Engineering college a child college of very famous V.R.S & Y.R.N Degree college. This is located in V.R.S & Y.R.N college campus itself.
Apart from engineering colleges Chirala has degree and junior colleges such as Y.A govt Degree college for women, St.Marks Lutheran Jr.College, Vidya Degree College and P.G studies, Bharati Jr College, Vignana Bharati Jr College apart from V.R.S & Y.R.N Degree college. In 1996 intermediate results a student from Bharathi jr college by name Suram Madhavi topped BIE in the entire state. First of its kind in Chirala's history.
Chirala has 3 municipal high schools named as 1. N.R & P M High School( boys high school) - This school is established in 1914. 2. K.G. M High School (girls high school) - This school is known for consistent results. Though its a municipal school. 3. A.R .M High School (Perala High school) - This school is located in Perala.
Read more about Chirala: History, Handloom Industry, Demographics, Assembly Constituency, Constituency of Chirala