Wani () is a 3rd largest city in Yavatmal district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.[2]
Wani is located in eastern part of Yavatmal district and borders Chandrapur district. Despite being a taluka, Wani is important commercial hub for nearby area due to its strong market and its crucial location. Yavatmal city is 110 kmy from Wani and Chandrapur is only 55 km. Nagpur is 130 km from Wani and Wardha is 110 km by road connectivity.
Wani has a rich history from Stone age to Satvahan and earlier Gond kings.Suresh Chopane a researcher based from wani , discovered Mesolithic stone age sites at Susari and Mardi, Wani has age old rock cut temples, including the Rangnath Swami Mandir, Kala Ram Mandir and Narsimha Mandir present in the southern part of the city. In past, Wani was known as 'Wun'. Wani was a district headquarters in Berar Province during British Raj. Later on, Wani became a taluka with Yavatmal as district head.
As of the 2011 census of India, Wani had a population of 58,840 excluding the outer part of the city. Villages like Ganeshpur, Chikhalgaon, Waghdara, Lalguda are in city boundaries but the population is not included in the city population. The population can reach one lakh if we include these villages. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Wani had an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 80%, and female literacy was 68%. In 2011 in Wani, 13% of the population was under 6 years of age.
The distance between district head Yavatmal and Wani is about 113 km (70 mi), where as the winter capital of Maharashtra Nagpur is about 132 km (82 mi). The adjacent district head Chandrapur is about 51 km (32 mi) away from Wani. Summer in Wani is generally very hot with temperature ranges in mid 40s, mainly due to coal mines. The city has its very own river, River Nirguada which further merges with River Wardha.
Western Coalfields Ltd., A subsidiary of Coal India Ltd. has a coal mining area - Wani North Area in the surroundings of Wani city. There are coal mines like Ukni, Pimpalgaon, Junad, Kolarpimpri, Rajur, Kumbarkhani, Ghonsa, Neeljai, Naigaon and some new upcoming mining projects near the city.
The economy of the town is mostly driven by agriculture and mining businesses in the surrounding area. Mining has been a boon for the development of rural population in the area, which provided them employment and boosted the economy. many cotton ginning and pressing units also working. cottonseed oil milling units also started in recent years. because of lime stone availability wall putty manufacturing units are working in rural areas. in MIDC metal fabrication unit, cement precast and pipe making units, dall mill (pulse processing factory) etc are working
The town received the name "Black Diamond City" due to the huge coal deposits and many coal mines in the adjacent area.[citation needed]
Limestone is also quarried in the area.
The principal crops are cotton and soybeans.
Wani Bus Station works under Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation MSRTC.
It includes 12 Platforms, Canteen, Temple, Garden, Parking Lot, Bus Depo and Diesel Pump.
Wani is connected with major cities like Yavatmal, Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad, Adilabad, Nanded, Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur, Pusad, Washim, Gadchiroli, Darwha, Digras, Ner by MSRTC buses.
Local buses are connected to nearby towns such as Maregaon, Pandharkawda, Korpana and several villages.
Auto rickshaws are the only public transport in the city.
Wani is a regular type railway station, under Nagpur division of Central Railway.
It has one platform, with single electrified line. The Railway Station is mostly busy with coal transportation.
Wani is directly connected with Adilabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Nanded, among many other cities.
Trains heavily transport coal and other products are also loaded.
ref:www.census2011.co.in
Marathi language is the dominant language