Durgapur (/ˈdʊrɡəpɔːr/) is a major industrial city and a planned urban agglomeration in the Indian state of West Bengal. Located in Paschim Bardhaman district, economy and technology wise it is the most important city and urban agglomeration of West Bengal next to Kolkata and also the most important industrial hub of West Bengal.[7] The population of Durgapur withing city is around 726,000, while the metropolitan area of Durgapur is home to nearly 1.2 million people. Durgapur is classified as a Y-category city for calculation of HRA (House Rent Allowance) for public servants (rate 12%) making it a "Tier-II" city. It was planned by two American architects, Joseph Allen Stein and Benjamin Polk in 1955. Durgapur is the only city in eastern India to have an operational dry dock. Durgapur has been nicknamed the 'Ruhr of India'.[8]
Durgapur দুর্গাপুর | |
|---|---|
| Nickname: Ruhr of India | |
  Durgapur দুর্গাপুর Location in West Bengal, India  Durgapur দুর্গাপুর Durgapur দুর্গাপুর (India) | |
| Coordinates: 23°33′N 87°19′E / 23.55°N 87.32°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | Paschim Bardhaman |
| Established | Late 1950s |
| Founded by | Bidhan Chandra Roy (former chief minister of West Bengal) |
| Named for | Durgacharan Chattopadhyay |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body |
|
| • Mayor | Anindita Mukherjee |
| • Commissioner of Police (CP) | Sukesh Kumar Jain, IPS (Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate) |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 285.65 km2 (110.29 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,550 km2 (600 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 3rd in West Bengal |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 19.8 km (12.3 mi) |
| • Width | 15 km (9 mi) |
| Elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Population (2024)[3] | |
| • Rank | 4th in West Bengal |
| • Urban | 726,000 |
| • Metro | 1,209,372 |
| Demonym(s) | Durgapurbashi, Durgapurians |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Bengali[5][6] |
| • Additional official | English[5] |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 713201- 713217 for City Area |
| Telephone code | +91 0343 |
| Vehicle registration | WB-39 / WB-40 |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Bardhaman-Durgapur (MP - Kirti Jha Azad - TMC) |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Durgapur Purba (MLA - Pradip Mazumdar - TMC), Durgapur Paschim (MLA - LAKSHMAN CHANDRA GHORUI -BJP) |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | durgapurmunicipalcorporation |
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Geography
edit
Location
editDurgapur is located at 23°33′N 87°19′E / 23.55°N 87.32°E. It has an average elevation of 65 metres (213 ft).
Durgapur is in the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal, on the bank of the Damodar River, just before it enters the alluvial plains of Bengal. The topography is undulating. The coal-bearing area of the Raniganj coalfields lies just beyond Durgapur; some parts intrude into the area. The area was deeply forested until recent times,[when?] and some streaks of the original sal and eucalyptus forests can still be seen.
1mile
Birla Cement
Administrative Building
C Zone
B Zone
A Zone
R: temple, mosque, P: park, F: facility, N: neighbourhood, W: works, factory
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
Places marked on this map, which have a separate page, are linked in the larger full screen map
Climate
editDurgapur has been ranked 35th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.[9]
Law administration
editPolice stations
editAurobindo Police Station, located in Durgapur Steel Township, opposite to Office Commissioner of Police (Asansol-Durgapur) has jurisdiction over parts of Andal CD Block. The area covered is 87 km2 and the population covered is 292,841. It has following investigation centres under it.[10][11]
| Investigation Centre | Address |
|---|---|
| B-Zone Investigation Centre | Marconi Avenue, B-Zone |
| City Centre Investigation Centre | Bengal Ambuja, City Centre |
| Faridpur Investigation Centre | Near Gandhi More |
| Waria Investigation Centre | Near DSP Main Gate, Waria |
| DTPS Investigation Centre | Old Colony, DVC-DTPS |
Coke Oven police station, located near the Durgapur Railway Station, has jurisdiction over parts of the Durgapur municipal corporation. The area covered is 49 km2 and the population covered is 136,181.
Durgapur Women PS has jurisdiction over the Durgapur Subdivision
New Township police station, located in MAMC township, has jurisdiction over parts of the Durgapur municipal corporation and the Faridpur Durgapur CD Block. The area covered is 23 km2, and the population covered is 160,411. It has a police Outpost located in Bidhannagar under its jurisdiction.[10][11]
Demographics
editIn the 2011 census, Durgapur Urban Agglomeration had a population of 566,937 out of which 294,349 were male and 272,588 were female. The 0–6 year population was 50,512. Effective literacy rate of the population was 87.70.[4] Durgapur Municipal Corporation included and 3 census towns: Bamunara, Arra, and partly Andal.[12]
In the 2011 census, Durgapur Municipal Corporation had a population of 581,409 out of which 301,700 were male and 279,709 were female. The 0–6 year population was 51,930. Effective literacy rate of the population was 87.84.[3]
Religion
editAccording to Census of India 2011, Hinduism is the predominant religion in this city, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and others. Out of the 5,66,517 people living in Durgapur (Municipal Corporation); 5,19,122 are Hindus (91.63%), 35,923 are Muslims (6.34%), 1889 are Christians (0.36%), 2346 are Sikhs (0.44%), 513 are Buddhists, 382 are Jains, 906 are other religions, and 5436 (1.04%) did not state their religion.[14]
Languages
editAt the time of the 2011 census, 82.99% of the population spoke Bengali, 11.15% Hindi, 1.84% Santali, and 1.03% Urdu as their first language.[15]
Economy
editDurgapur is the biggest industrial hub of West Bengal and was planned as an integrated industrial city. It is the most developed city in West Bengal in terms of technology, infrastructure, and economy next to Kolkata and contributes a substantial amount to the economy of the state of West Bengal. It lies on the banks of Damodar River and near to the coalfields of Raniganj. Durgapur was a dream of former prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and chief minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy.[16] The 1948-founded Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is essential to the growth of the area.[17] The first project in Durgapur was Damodar Valley Corporation's Durgapur Barrage which attracted many public sector units. Durgapur Steel Plant was the first PSU established in the region in 1955 with the help of U.K which was later undertaken by SAIL. Later, an alloy plant was established by Hindustan Steel Ltd. in 1965 which was also acquired by SAIL. From 1951 to 2019, industrial units in the region grew from 46 to 430, with engineering units rising from 18 to 66 and basic metal units booming from 2 to 122.[18] The area's economic strength is driven by its rich coal deposits, excellent transportation, and skilled labor force, making it a key economic hub in West Bengal and Eastern India.
Mining and Allied Machinery Corporation (MAMC) was established in 1964 with the help and support from USSR (now closed but reviving with J.V of Bharat Earth Movers, Coal India & DVC).[19] Hindustan Fertilisers Corporation (HFC) was a major PSU which produced fertilizer but got closed down (now RCF showed interest to reopen it).[20] Bharat Opthlamic Glass Limited (BOGL) was established in 1972 used to manufacture electronic valves and other electronic components. Its closure was approved in 2006.
Durgapur Chemicals Limited (DCL) was set up by the Government of West Bengal in 1963 to boost the chemical needs of the state. DCL started it's journey in 1968 and was involved in commercial production of Phenol, phthalic anhydride, monochloro benzene, pentachloro Phenol, caustic soda, chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Although not closed, but the Government of West Bengal decided to disinvest in DCL in 2016 as it had increasingly become a sick industry.
Durgapur Projects Limited (DPL) was the first thermal power station in the city. It was commissioned by the Government of West Bengal in 1960. It has eight production units of which only two are currently operational. The whole city of Durgapur and the surrounding areas get electricity supply from DPL. It is currently owned by WBPDCL.
Major Indian and international MNCs have their production facilities in Durgapur which includes GE Power India Limited (formerly ACC Babcock Limited which was later taken over by Alstom), Scania and Komatsu (in partnership with Larsen & Toubro), Philips Carbon Black, Sankey Wheels (a unit of GKW), Birla Cement (earlier Durgapur Cement Ltd.), Graphite India Limited, etc.
Durgapur is also an emerging IT and real estate hub. The Government of West Bengal's Webel IT Park houses some of well-known as well as startup software companies generating employment opportunities for the youth of the region. It is set to develop many proposed residential areas like DLF's Durgapur Township.[21] Companies like Pinacle Infotech and Tata Consultancy Services (a major Indian multinational IT company) etc. have their branch office and back office respectively in the city.
Transport
editRoad
editDurgapur is a gateway to the districts of Bankura, Birbhum (Bolpur, Rampurhat, Suri), and Purulia. NH 19 (old numbering: NH 2) passes through the city jurisdiction and SH 9 originates from Muchipara in the city. NH 14 (old numbering NH 60) passes through the north-western suburb of Pandabeswar and finally passes through Raniganj and heads away towards Odisha. It is one of the few cities that has an Asian Highway (AH) passing directly through the city jurisdiction. The AH1 links Japan with Turkey, through Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Durgapur has bus terminuses at Durgapur Railway Station, Prantika (Prantika-I and II), and City Center. Within the city, private mini-buses operate from Durgapur Rly. Station to Prantika, via City Centre, Muchipara and various other routes within the city. Muchipara is a important bus stop in Durgapur, from which all buses are available.
Auto-rickshaws ply between City Center, Benachity, William Kery, Chandidas, Mamra, Bidhannagar, Railway Station, and other parts of the city in a number of routes. Pre-paid taxis are available in the city from railway stations. Additionally, online cab services like Ola, Uber, etc., and bike taxi services like Rapido are available within the city.
Only one bus is available for the Kalyani-Bansberia route and it departs from Prantika-II Bus Terminus at 4:40 am and from Kalyani at 10 am every day.
Various private and government buses ranging from sleepers to premium Volvos are available from City Center Bus Terminus and Station Bus Terminus for Kolkata, Asansol, Barddhaman, Barakar, Bhubaneswar, Digha, and other nearby cities. Durgapur is the headquarters of SBSTC which provides government bus services to Kolkata, Haldia, Digha, Bankura, etc., from Durgapur and Asansol. Private buses are available for Asansol, Barakar, Bardhaman, Bolpur, Bishnupur, Chittaranjan, Deoghar, Digha, Illambazar, Jhargram, Kalna, Katwa, Kharagpur, Krishnanagar, Medinipur, Nabadwip, Nalhati, Purulia, Rampurhat, Siuri, Tatanagar, Tarakeswar, etc..
Air
edit
The city is home to a domestic airport, the Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport. It is India's first private-sector Greenfield airport. It is located at a place called Andal which is roughly 15 kilometres from Durgapur's City Center Bus Terminus.[22] The airport has direct flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Siliguri, Guwahati, which are operated by IndiGo and Spicejet. And an old DSP Airport at Bijra near IQ city.
An air force station at Panagarh (Military Airfield), belonging to the Indian Air Force, is used as a base for a C-130J Hercules squadron.[23]
Climate
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Durgapur experiences a somewhat transitional climate between the tropical wet and dry climate of Kolkata and the more humid subtropical climate further north. Summers are extremely hot and dry, lasting from March to the middle of June, with average daily temperatures exceeding 45 °C. They are followed by the monsoon season with heavy precipitation and somewhat lower temperatures. Durgapur receives most of its annual rainfall of around 1,320 mm during this season. The monsoon is followed by a cold, dry winter from November to January. Temperatures are cold, with average daily temperatures dropping near 9 °C. There is a short autumn at the end of October and a short spring in February, both of which have relatively moderate temperatures of around 20 °C. Due to the heavy rainfall it has received in recent years, for almost five months of heavy rainfall every year, locals often refer to the city as "Chhota Cherapunji" (named after the main city of Cherapunji).
Administrative changes
editThe administrative setup came in stages. In 1837, when Bankura district was formed, the Durgapur area was part of it. In 1847, the Raniganj subdivision was formed with three police stations – Raniganj, Kanksa, and Neamatpur – and it was made a part of the Bardhaman district. In 1906, the subdivisional headquarters was shifted to Burdwan, and the subdivision renamed accordingly. In 1910, the police stations in Asansol subdivision were Asansol, Ranigunj, Kanksa, Faridpur, and Barakar. On 14 April 1968, the Durgapur subdivision was carved out of Asansol subdivision. In 2011, the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC) was formed by the State Government.
Education
editColleges
edit
Durgapur is home to National Institute of Technology, Durgapur,[24] an autonomous institution in eastern India of national importance. It is one of the 31 N.I.T.s in the country. N.I.T. Durgapur is one of the eight old Regional Engineering Colleges established in 1956.
Durgapur Government College is a premier government degree college not only in the home district of Paschim Barddhaman but also in the neighbouring districts of Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum. It was established on 15 September, 1970, and was affiliated to the University of Burdwan, which later got affiliated to Kazi Nazrul University.
The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (also known as CSIR-CMERI Durgapur or CMERI Durgapur) is a public engineering research and development institution in Durgapur, West Bengal, India. It is a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).[25] The institute is dedicated to work in the mechanical and allied engineering disciplines.[26]
The National Power Training Institute (Also known as NPTI(ER) and formerly known as PETS, Durgapur) is an institute under Ministry of Power, Government of India which offers postgraduate education in the field of power plants. This institute is also associated with several industrial bodies for imparting training to plant personnel.[27]
Dr. B.C. Roy Engineering College, Bengal College of Engineering and Technology, Sanaka Education Trusts Group of Institutions, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Durgapur Institute of Advanced Technology and Management and The Aryabhatta Institute of Engineering & Management are private engineering colleges which offer (B.Tech) in engineering and other degrees, including BBA, BCA, B.Pharm, and others. They are affiliated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT). Durgapur Women's College and Michael Madhusudan Memorial College are general degree colleges affiliated to Kazi Nazrul University.
Netaji Subhas Open University is a state open university for imparting distance education. It is modelled on the Open University, UK and the IGNOU, and offers courses in different disciplines of graduate and post-graduate courses.
IQ City Medical College and Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital are two colleges which offer (MBBS) medical degree and paramedical courses. They are affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences. Durgapur Paramedical College is another college which offers both a diploma and degree in paramedical courses.
Schools
edit
Durgapur houses a large number of government aided and public schools in addition to two Kendriya Vidyalaya and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (under the Government of India). Notable private schools include: St. Xavier's School, Carmel Convent High School, Pranavananda Vidyamandir, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Public School.
Sports facilities
edit- Nehru Stadium is the biggest sports stadium in the city. It has a football ground, basketball and volleyball courts, athletic tracks, modern fully equipped gymnasium, etc.. It is managed by Durgapur Steel Plant Authority.
- Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium houses sporting organisations and sporting associations of Burdwan district, including Durgapur Sub-divisional Women's Sports Association, School Sports Association-Durgapur Sub-division, Burdwan District Badminton Association, Burdwan District Table Tennis Association, and Burdwan District Physical Culture Association.
Media
editDurgapur has several electronic media houses: Express News, DSTV (owned by DSP), Hallow India, TV Bangla. Anandabazar Patrika is published from Ghutgoria, near Durgapur, in Bankura District. Samay Sanket is another newspaper published from Durgapur. Durgapur does not have any F.M. stations, however, All India Radio 100.3 FM, 92.7 Big FM, 93.5 Red FM, and Radio Mirchi 95 FM have stations at Asansol,[28] and serve both Asansol and Durgapur.
Notable people
edit- Abhisek Banerjee, Former Indian domestic cricketer.
- Aishe Ghosh, Indian research scholar and student leader of SFI.
- Aloke Paul, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, Alumni of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, Born in Durgapur.
- Ananda Gopal Mukhopadhyay, Former Politician and Leader, Indian National Congress.
- Bikash Sinha, chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur.
- Bikramjit Basu, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, Alumni of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur.
- Bimal Mitra, Indian Bengali Author and author of Saheb Bibi Golam.
- Dipali Saha, Politician, All India Trinamool Congress, won from Sonamukhi (Vidhan Sabha constituency), formerly within Durgapur.
- Kalipada Bauri, Former Politician who won from Gangajalghati, formerly within Durgapur from Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- Kamanio Chattopadhyay, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, Alumni of National Institute of Technology, Durgapur.
- Lalbihari Bhattacharya, Former Politician who won from Barjora (Vidhan Sabha constituency), formerly within Durgapur from Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- Mamtaz Sanghamita, Former Member of Parliament, Bardhaman–Durgapur (Lok Sabha constituency) belonging to All India Trinamool Congress
- Mika Singh, Indian Playback Singer and live performer.
- Mrinal Banerjee, Former Minister of Power, State of West Bengal and former leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- Munmun Dutta, Indian Film Actress.
- Nikhil Kumar Banerjee, Indian physician and Politician belonging to All India Trinamool Congress.
- Prayas Ray Barman, Indian Cricketer, Youngest debutant in Indian Premier League.
- Saidul Haque, Former Member of Parliament, Bardhaman–Durgapur (Lok Sabha constituency) belonging to Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- Sandip Burman, Tabla Player and Musician.
- Sri Zaheer, 12th and current dean of the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.
- Subir Chowdhury, CEO and MD of JCB India.
- Sudip Chattopadhyay, Indian developmental biologist, biotechnologist and the dean of research and consultancy at the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur.
- Sunil Kumar Mandal, Indian Politician and Member of Parliament, Purba Bardhaman, who previously won from Galsi, within Bardhaman–Durgapur (Lok Sabha constituency), from Forward Bloc.
- S. S. Ahluwalia, Member of Parliament, Bardhaman–Durgapur (Lok Sabha constituency) belonging to Bhartiya Janata Party.
- Tushar Dutta, Classical Music Vocalist.
References
edit- ^ "Durgapur City".
- ^ a b c "Asansol Durgapur Development Authority". sudawb.org. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Government of India. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Fact and Figures". Wb.gov.in. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). Nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ The Chota Nagpur Plateau in India is more commonly regarded as the Ruhr of India; however, some sources also cite Durgapur as the same. (as it is occasionally referred to).
- ^ "Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024" (PDF). Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024. 7 September 2024.
- ^ a b "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bardhaman". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate". Find your police station. Asansol Durgapur Police. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ "Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Government of India. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Religionswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ Rattan, Kamaljeet (31 December 1988). "Public and private industries in dire straits in Durgapur". India Today. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ "All You Need to Know About Asansol, Durgapur & Raniganj". 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "All You Need to Know About Asansol, Durgapur & Raniganj". 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Joint venture to revive MAMC". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ "RCF eyes Durgapur fertiliser unit". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ "DLF bags Durgapur project". The Economic Times. 22 August 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ "KNIAIRPORT- Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport". www.kniairport.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- ^ "Panagarh to be IAF's second hub for C-130J Super Hercules planes". The Economic Times. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- ^ "NIT DURGAPUR". nitdgp.ac.in.
- ^ "Council of Scientific & Industrial Research | CSIR | GoI".
- ^ "Welcome to CMERI". cmeri.res.in. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
- ^ "Welcome To NPTI Durgapur". www.nptidurgapur.com. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Private Commercial FM Stations in India". qsl.net. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
External links
edit
- Bardhaman district official site
Durgapur travel guide from Wikivoyage
