Bhilai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bhilai | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | 21°13′N 81°26′E / 21.22°N 81.43°E |
| Country |  India |
| State | Chhattisgarh |
| District(s) | Durg |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 293 m (961 ft) |
| Website | www.bhilai.co.in |
Bhilai or Bhilai Nagar is a city in Chhattisgarh, India with a population of 553,837 (2001 census)[1]. The city is located 25 km west of the capital Raipur on the main Howrah–Mumbai rail line, and National Highway 6. Bhilai is famous for Bhilai Steel Plant which is the largest of its kind in India. Along with its sister city Durg, Bhilai was listed as the 7th fastest growing large city in the world.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Bhilai is located at 21°13′N 81°26′E / 21.22°N 81.43°E[3]. It has an average elevation of 293 m (961 ft). The city is part of a greater urban agglomeration, centered around Bhilai.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[1] Bhilai Nagar had a population of 553,837. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bhilai Nagar has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 79% and female literacy of 65%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Economy
The economy of the town is centred around the massive Bhilai Steel Plant, one of the largest integrated steel plants in the world. Apart from this, Bhilai is also home to Bhilai Refractories Plant (BRP)[4], another public sector organization.
In the past recent years Bhilai is witnessing handsome rise in the commmercial business. Several companies, multibrand stores, financial company, restaurant chians have established there unit. The real estate scenario of bhilai is in boom and there prices had soared manifolds. Several private & Public builders have developed there townships and they are witnessing a good number of takers for them. From a sleepy town, Bhilai seems to be a promising place to be next business zone.
[edit] Transport
Durg Railway Station connects the city to the rest of the country. It has five other small railway stations sector-7 (Bhilai Nagar), Bhilai Power house, Bhilai 3, Charoda and Kumhari. They are a stop only for local trains not for express except POWER HOUSE (All Express Stop & some superfast including Amarkantak Express, Mahanadi Express). Raipur Airport is the nearest air link which is 45 km away.
Within the town, commuters depend mostly on own vehicles and hired autorickshaws, which can only be hired only from a nearby auto stand. Tempos (in local lingo) are diesel run three-wheelers that ply on the Great Eastern Highway and a central road called the Central Avenue which runs parallel to the highway.Recently four wheelers like TATA Magic have also become very popular means of transport.
[edit] Administration
The steel city is called Bhilainagar which is a planned township, divided into 11 sectors. Bhilai is one of the most planned cities of India, falling in top 3 of the most planned cities list. Bhilai Nagar has a municipal corporation.The lush green central avenue starting from the Bhilai Steel plant to Jawahar Lal Nehru Main Hospital divides this planned city into two halves.
[edit] Education
Bhilai is known for its pre-graduate education aimed at preparation for entrance examinations for Engineering. A town which was literally created from a small village, Bhilai Steel Plant had to create an education system for the children of employees it attracted from all over India. Starting in late 1950s, the first Higher Secondary School was opened in Sector 1 (and it is still there), followed by Bhilai Vidyalaya Sec 2 and Higher Secondary School in Sector 7. In those early days the Sector 7 School supported instruction in both English (through Cambridge Board) and in Hindi. Recognizing that most of the employees were going to be engineers or in some or the technical field, the Plant Management went out to attract the best teachers from all over the country. The first education officer was Mr. B. N. Singh. The first batch of Principals included Maj. R. S. Mishra, Mr. R. N. Verma, Mr. Y. M. Sahaya, Mr. B. D. Sharma, Mr. G. P. Sharma, and Mr. L. R. Puranick. Since the very early days the students from these schools routinely appeared in the state and national Merit list and enrolled in IIT's and medical schools.
With the increasing population over last 50 years, the populace as well as the education system has become somewhat diversified. Many Business and English coaching classes have flourished in this small town with the first international company, Globus IPL[5], setting up an institute with great educational facilities and creating global exposure for students in Bhilai.
In Field of Animation and Advance Gaming , Academy of Animation and Game Arts[6] is a unique Academy Giving quality education to grow creative experts.
Bhilai is also famous for its Schools.D.P.S Bhilai, D.P.S. Durg and S.S.S Sector 10 are the best schools in entire Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Some of the other good schools in Bhilai are run by Bhilai Steel Plant. Schools like Senior Secondary School Sector 4 (S.S.S Sector 4), S.S.S Sector -6, Bhilai Vidyalaya Sec 2, D.A.V. Public School (D.A.V. Managing Committee, Delhi), Mar Gregorious Memorial Senior Secondary School (M.G.M. affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (10+2) pattern), Krishna Public School, Shri Shankara Vidyalaya S.S.V, St. Xavier's High School etc. boast of illustrious allumni. A high percentage of students qualify for the illustrious IITs from these schools.
As India is marching toward economic boom, BHILAI recently found to be rising in many sector from infrastructure to medicine, etc. and now a days lots of 3-Star Hotels, Restaurants, Pub, SPA can be located around Bhilai city.
[edit] Engineer's Place
Swami Vivekanand Technical University is the first Technical Education University was established in Bhilai. Bhilai and Durg Region is famous of its Engineering Colleges. There are the oldest and most admired engineering colleges in this region. Apart from this, there are numerous other private engineering colleges in the city.
There are lots of engineering college in and around Bhilai with top 5 in Bhilai itself. The most coveted engineering college of Chhattisgarh's science studens, Bhilai Institute of Technology with other top 4 namely RCET, SSCET, CSIT and MPCCET are in Bhilai. A large number of students rush to Bhilai every session's start.
[edit] Culture
The major population is of localities of the state "Chhattisgarhi". The local language is Chhattisgarhi which is very similar to Hindi.
All major festivals are celebrated in a scale similar to their region of origin. Like the Durga Puja celebrations of Bhilai are in tune with that in Bengal. Same can be said about Maharashtra's Ganesh Chaturthi, Andhra's Ugadi, Tamil Nadu's Pongal, Muslim's Id, Jagganath Puri's Rath Yatra etc.
Bhilai also boasts of high levels of linguistic and religious unity which has been the hallmark of its culture since its inception.
The main reason obviously lies in the fact that before the establishment of Bhilai Steel Plant (with collaboration from Russian Counterparts), it was almost nothing but an agricultural area with small villages like AmdiGaon (now AmdiNagar-HUDCO) and many others. But the setting up BSP made a call to people all over India to make a rush and henceforth bring the multi-ethnicity with them.
[edit] Places of interest
The Maitri Bagh-Zoo and a park established by the Bhilai Steel Plant. Right next to Maitri bagh are two huge man-made water lakes. One is used to supply water to the township. The other is used for the Steel Plant's applications. Right across Maitri Bagh is Bhilai Water Works, a facility used to provide clean water to the Bhilai Township.
Civic Center - Started as a shopping center consisting of two rows of stores arranged in L shape. In early days it had TATA (textiles) on one end and BATA(shoes). It was also a hub for a lot of social activity. Right next to Civic Center is Chitra Mandir which used to be the only airconditioned movie theater in the area. West of Chitra Madir is a huge field used for Ramleela and Dashehara festivals. In this field there used to be a high rock stage which was constructed to Welcome Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. There is also a hemispherical Supermarket. Now there are many permanent and temporary store.
Deobalod - It is situated about 3 km from Bhilai and is famous for an ancient Shiv Mandir.
Tandula - It is 60 km away from the district of Durg. It is famous for Dam on the river Tandula. It is an exciting picnic spot. One can stay here in the rest house of the irrigation department of the government of India.
Dhamdha - It is situated on the Durg-Bemetara road 35 km from the district of Durg. It is famous for Prachin Kila (Old Palace) & Mandir. Lodge and hotel facility are there for the staying of tourist.
Dongargarh - It is situated about 100 km west of Bhilai and is the site for the most famous temple in the region. The Bambleshwari temple is visible from the railway line and is on the top of mountain. Devotees routinely climb the mountain which can take up to an 1 hr chanting mantra and singing praises of Ma Bambleshwari. The view from the top of the hill makes all the hard work worthwhile. There are gift stores and a restaurant on the top of the hill just below the stairs that lead to the final climb to the temple. There is also a cable car for devotees who would rather not climb. Jai Bambleshwari!
Balod - It is situated at 58 km.from the district of Durg. It is famous for Prachin Kila (Oldest Palace), Mandir (Temples) & Sati Chabutra.
Siyadevi - It is around 20 km. (80 K.m from Durg city) from balod (Must See Place). This place is famous for Sita Maiya's temple, situated in the heart of greenery of natural jungle. You can find a natural and very beautiful waterfall between (July- Feb).
Nagpura - It is situated at 2 km. from the district of Durg. It is famous for Jain Temples & Pasharwanath Tirth.
Kharkhara - It is 95 km. away from the district of Durg by road. It is famous for Dam on the river Kharkhara. The total length of the dam is 1128 m.
Hajra Falls - It is 100 km from Bhilai, crossing Dongargarh near Darekasa Railway station in Howrah Mumbai rail route. Situated amongst dense forests, hills and tunnels, this spectacular 150 feet (46 m) high falls is a visual delight for tourists. Place to stay : The Forest bungalow.
Barnawapara - An animal sanctuary famous for Wild Buffalo, Leopard, Common Langur, Cheetal deer etc..
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
||||||||
