Junagadh About this sound pronunciation (Gujarati: જુનાગઢ) is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat, in western India, located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south-west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Literally translated, Junagadh means “Old Fort”. It is also known as “Sorath”, the name of the earlier Princely State of Junagadh. After a brief struggle between India and Pakistan Junagadh joined India on 9 November 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960, after the Maha Gujarat movement, it became part of newly formed Gujarat state.
Road
Junagadh is connected to Rajkot and Ahemadabad by National Highway NH8D which also connects Junagadh to Veraval and Somnath. Junagadh city Bypass on NH8D obviates the need for through vehicles to enter the city. In the south, Junagadh is connected to Bilkha and Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary. Kalwo river runs through Junagadh; Ferguson bridge is built over it to connect the two parts of the city. A bridge is also constructed on river Sonrakh in the northern outskirts of the city. Mount Girnar is connected with Junagadh by road. Rickshaws are generally preferred as the mode of transportation.
Rail
Junagadh comes under Western Railway zone of Indian Railways. Junagadh is connected with Rajkot, Ahemadabad and Veraval by railway lines. Many long-distance trains connect Junagadh to other cities in India.
Air
Junagadh city does not have an airport due to mountainous terrain. Keshod Airport, 40 km. southwest of Junagadh used to have a scheduled daily flight from Mumbai though no scheduled services operate from it currently. Other nearest airports are Rajkot Airport 99 km and Porbandar 113 km.
Junagadh has a Heliport at Zafar Maidan in Gandhigram area opposite Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Private Limited manufacturing plant. Regular flights were made in past for helicopter service provided on mount Girnar. Otherwise, it is used for visiting V.I.P.
Sea
Junagadh district has a long shoreline of 192 km in total. But Junagadh city is not on the shoreline. The nearest seaport is Veraval and it is mainly used for commercial product exports and imports. Passenger ferries are very limited.
Public Transport
Public Transport in Junagadh is limited to City Bus and Auto rickshaws. As the old city area is very congested, city bus service is not available in some old city areas. However, the city is not that big in the area. City bus service is operated by a partnership mode between Municipal Corporation and a private firm. Taxi service is minimal, but taxis are available in numbers though mostly for intercity journeys. Junagadh is well connected by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses with most cities in Gujarat.
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