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Jamshedpur

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Jamshedpur
StateJharkhand
CountryIndia
Location86.12° E 22.47° N
Area64 km²
Population1.6 million
Temperature8.0 to 47.3 degrees C
Altitude159 metres at Tatanagar
 933 metres at Dalma
PIN Code831 0xx
Dial Code0657
Schools185
Colleges13

A city founded by the late Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata, Jamsehdpur (जमशेदपूर in Devanagari), India, then known as Sakchi was home to the first private Iron and Steel company of India. The areas surrounding Jamshedpur are rich in minerals, including iron ore, coal, manganese, lime. Some of these areas are Jamadoba, Noamundi and West Bokaro.

The city recently won international acclaim when it was selected for the 2004 Global Compact City award from the UN in India, beating other contenders such as Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh, amongst others. A true testimony indeed to it's robust infrastructure, cosmopolitan outlook and strong industry.

The city was named Jamshedpur in 1919 by Lord Chelmsford, in honour of its founder. J.N.Tata had written to his son Dorabji Tata about his vision of a great city in the area. His birthday is celebrated on 3rd March every year as 'Founders Day'.

Located in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand on the Chota Nagpur plateau, it is surrounded by the beautiful Dalma Hills, and the rivers Subarnarekha and Kharkhai border the north & west of the city, respectively.

It is a modern, industrial city; the main industries being iron and steel, truck manufacturing, tinplate production, cement and other small and medium scale industries revolving around these products. The largest factory is that of Tata Steel (the erstwhile TISCO), and it is situated almost at the center of the city. The other major factory in the city is Tata Motors (previously called The Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO)- as once upon time railway locomotives used to be manufactured here - hence the name), which manufactures heavy vehicles & construction/earth moving equipment. Tata Tinplate (the erstwhile Tinplate Co. of India Ltd.) manufactures tinplate.It was originally a British company built in Golmuri,later on taken over by Tata. Most of the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are located just outside Jamshedpur, in the Adityapur Industrial Estate.

Jamshedpur is host to one of the best business schools in India - XLRI which is known for its Personnel Management & Industrial Relations program.

Life in the city is comfortable, with all areas having 24 hours running water and electricity. Facilities are maintained by Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company Limited(JUSCO), a 100% owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. However, areas not maintained by JUSCO experience intermittent power cuts, bad roads and government apathy. Jamshedpur is also called the Steel City. It is one of the greenest cities of India.

The conversational language is Hindi, though the city itself is cosmopolitan in nature. The main ethnic groups are Biharis, Adivasis and Bengalis. The major festivals are Deepavali, Holi, Durga Pooja (Dussehra), Id-ul-fitr and Christmas. Adivasis celebrate 'Tusu' and Biharis celebrate Chhat.

Sections of the city

  • Sakchi: The heart of the city, with the main markets and a few residential areas. Generally, the Sakchi Market is crowded and dusty.
File:Jamshedpurnight.jpg
Bistupur by night
  • Bistupur: An upmarket commercial area & residential township, which caters more to the middle/upper-middle class. Most of the city's showrooms & popular restaurants are situated here on the high street. Commands the highest real estate prices.
  • Tinplate: The factory premises of Tata Tinplate. Includes a quaint residential colony for the employees of the company.
  • Baridih
  • Agrico
  • Baradwari
File:Cityview.jpg
Jamshedpur as seen from the hills at Bhubaneshwari Temple, Telco
  • Telco: This township is owned & maintained by Tata Motors.
  • Jugsalai: The area adjacent to the Tatanagar railway station.
  • Sidhgora
  • Golmuri: Residential and market areas. The Doordarshan television tower is located here, besides a maidan where touring circuses often pitch their tents. There are plans to build an 18-hole golf course here.
  • Birsanagar: Named after freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Birsanagar is the biggest residential area in Jamshedpur. It started out as a huge squatter settlement that was later legalised.
  • Sitaramdera
  • Mango: A huge residential area situated across the river Subarnarekha. Has evolved as a suburb of the Steel City with most new residential constructions coming up here.
  • Kadma: A quiet residential locality next to Sonari. It contains living quarters for Tata Steel employees like Professional Flats, Dindli Enclave and the Kaiser Bungalows.
  • Sonari: Houses residential layouts & the airport.
  • Adityapur: Connected to the Steel City by Kharkai Bridge, at one time held the status of Asia's largest industrial estate. Most of the ancillaries catering to Tata Motors & Tata Cummins are located here.

Important markets

File:Voltasbldg.jpg
The Voltas Building at Bistupur is the city's tallest commercial building
  • Bistupur: Fashion stores; car showrooms & tony hotels & restaurants. Most of the establishments are situated on the high street. This is the downtown section of the city, close to Tatanagar railway station and Sonari Airport.
  • Sakchi Bazaar: The "centre" of the city.
  • Kharangajhar: Lying at the outskirts of Telco Colony, this is the most important market for the employees of Tata Motors. It is basically a long stretch of road that has spread its tentacles into other lanes.
  • Azad Market : Serves Telco Colony.
  • Plaza Market: Serves Telco Colony.
  • Tinplate: Serves Tinplate Colony & Baridih.
  • Agrico: Serves Agrico Colony.
  • Baridih Market: Serves Baridih.
  • Golmuri: The largest wholesale market for grains & foodstuff.
  • Birsanagar Market: Known for Sundays' vegetable market.
  • Amar Market, in Bistupur: The latest in youth fashion & footwear.
  • Jawahar Market, in Bistupur: Electronics, CDs, video games & fashion.

How to get there

  • Air: There is an airport at Sonari, which used to have Vayudoot flights to Calcutta. At present it is used for private /corporate airplanes and gliding lessons. Connectivity to Calcutta is soon to be reestablished through Air Deccan.
  • Rail: Tatanagar (Jamshedpur) is an important railway junction on the South Eastern Railway and is connected directly to all the major cities of India, viz., Kolkata, Mumbai,Delhi,Chennai,Bangalore Patna, etc. The Railway station is known as Tatanagar.
  • Road: Jamshedpur is connected by road with most of the major cities in India. Regular bus services are available from Jamshedpur to Ranchi (131 km), Patna, Gaya, Calcutta (250 km), Hazaribagh etc.
  • Moving around within the city: Private vehicles are very popular, though "Mini Buses" and Auto Rickshaws are available in all parts of the town. Transportation is cheap & easily available.

Places of interest

  • Jubilee Park: This is a 200 acre (0.8 km²) park with a zoo and a lake. A favourite with joggers, cyclists & anglers.
File:Dimna3.jpg
The Dimna Lake
  • Dimna Lake: 8 miles (13 km) from Jamshedpur, nestling at the foot of the Dalma hills. An artificial reservoir, it is one of the main sources for the city's drinking water needs. Has facilities for water sports (jetskiing/rowing).
File:Domani.jpg
Rivers Meet
  • Rivers Meet: The confluence of rivers Kharkai and Subarnarekha. Situated at the extreme North-West point of the city. A popular picnic spot.
  • Dalma Hills: North of Subarnarenkha river they stretch 16 km from east to west. They are accessible by road. Famous for herds of wild elephants. Facilities for trekking & mountain climbing.
  • Hudco Lake: In Telco Colony, a beautiful park and picnic spot with an artificial waterfall & man-made lake. Provides a panoramic view of the surrounding areas.
  • Sir Dorabji Tata Park: Near Keenan Stadium. Hosts Jamshedpur's annual flower show in December.
  • Bhatia Park: Situated at Shastri Nagar.
  • Keenan Stadium: Was largely regarded as India's most beautiful cricket stadium until Mohali came up.

Colleges

Schools

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