Kirloskarwadi is an industrial township that developed around the Kirloskar Brothers Ltd factory in the Sangli district, in Maharashtra state, India. It is the second oldest industrial township in India. On 10 March 2010, Kirloskarwadi celebrated 100 years of its establishment. Kirloskarwadi is a rapidly growing satellite suburb of Sangli city. The famous holy place of God Datta Maharaj Audumbar is just 10 km away. While Sagareshwar picnic spot is around 8–10 km away. Another famous holy place Audumbar of the god Datta Maharaj is just about 11 km from this place. The town has centric connectivity between Vita–Isalmapur–Palus–Tasgaon takulas.
History
The town of Kirloskarwadi was founded by Laxmanrao Kirloskar in 1910 when he started his factory, called Kirloskar Brothers Ltd, near the railway station that was at that time called Kundal Road. Laxmanrao Kirloskar had read about "industrial townships" in Europe and USA where the owners of industries had built communities for the employees. His dream was to build his own industry and a community for the employees. The culmination of his dream is the town of Kirloskarwadi. Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi, the ruler of the Aundh Sansthan, one of the many Indian Princely States under the British rule in India before independence, donated the land to Laxmanrao Kirloskar to establish the factory and the town. The factory around which the town was built is still the flagship manufacturing plant of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd During Indian independence struggle, some of the militant revolutionary fighters who went underground to escape arrest took refuge in Kirloskarwadi. The workers from the factory took part in protests and satyagraha against the British rule. Two workers from the factory—Umashankar Pandya and Sadashiv Pendharkar—were killed when police opened fire on one such protest. An obelisk and park in the town commemorate the sacrifices of these workers.
Geography
Kirloskarwadi is located at. Kirloskarwadi is located in the Krishna river valley. Sangli, Satara, Pune and Kolhapur are the nearest cities.
Political geography
Historically, Kirloskarwadi was part of the Tasgaontaluka in Sangli district. After creation of Palus taluka, the town became part of Palus taluka. The town is a part of the Sangli Lok Sabha constituency and Palus-Kadegaon Vidhan Sabha constituency.
Transportation
The Kirloskarwadi railway station is one of the important station on the Mumbai–Bangalore railway line managed by Central Railway, Pune division. This place is projected as Commercial Capital of South Maharashtra by Shri. Suresh Prabhu, Commerce Minister - Govt.of India. Currently double line electrification is in construction between Pune and Kolhapur and expected to be start first electric run trials from March 2019. There are trains to major cities like Delhi,Pune,Mumbai,Bangalore,Ahmedabad. Trains having stoppage here are - Goa Express,Gandhidham Express,Mysore Ajmer Express,Ajmer Garib Nawaz,LTT Hubli Express,Jodhpur Express,Bhagat ke Kothi Express,Sahyadri Express,Mahalaxmi Express,Maharashtra Express. There is long time demand to have a halt for Chalukya Express and Ernakulum Express to Kirloskarwadi station as it will give good service to Vita,Islampur,Palus and Tasgaon Taluka residing Passengers. There are Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses and private buses from Kirloskarwadi to Sangli, Kolhapur, Pune and Mumbai. There is also a private airport for Business Jets and a helipad for helicopters.
