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Rourkela

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This article is about the city which is a part of the greater metropolis of Orissa. For the greater metropolis, see Orissa.
Rourkela
राउरकेला
রাউরকেলা
ରାଉର6କଲା
Rourkela Steel City
Anticlockwise from top left: Hanuman Vatika, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Rourkela Steel Plant, Banja Bhawan and Entrance Highway to Rourkela Main City.
Anticlockwise from top left: Hanuman Vatika, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Rourkela Steel Plant, Banja Bhawan and Entrance Highway to Rourkela Main City.
Country India
StateOrissa
DistrictSundergarh
Established1955
Elevation
2.19 m (7.19 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Rourkela Steel City
7 Lakhs[1]
 • Density6,696/km2 (17,340/sq mi)
 • Metro
483,629
Languages
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)

Rourkela pronunciationⓘ (Oriya:ରାଉର6କଲା) (Bengali:রাউরকেলা ) (Hindi: राउरकेला) is located in the northwestern tip of the Indian state of Orissa at the heart of a rich mineral belt. It is situated about 340 kilometres (211 mi) north of state capital Bhubaneswar.It is surrounded by a range of hills and encircled by rivers. One of the largest steel plants of the Steel Authority of India Limited is situated here. It also has one of the National Institutes of Technology of the country. Rourkela Steel Plant was first to bring cctv to the whole Asia continent for the first time (1984). It is the 14th most clean and green city of India.

Name

The name "Rourkela" in the local tribal language of "Sadri" means "Our Village". It comes under Sundargarh district of the Indian state of Orissa. An indigenous community called Raulia used to inhabit this region.[2]

History

The picturesque and modern twin towns of Rourkela and Fertilizer Township as well as their developed periphery are located in areas that were once covered by dense forests. Rourkela city came into prominence in the year 1955. According to the census report of 2011 the population of Rourkela City is 7 lakhs approx. Then railway station of Rourkela was within the revenue village of Mahulpali.

When India obtained independence, a priority for the government was the industrialization of the country. A basic necessity was the production of iron and steel, and after a search for a suitable location, a steel plant was finally ear-marked in the Rourkela region. Thus, India's first public sector steel plant facility was established here with the help of Germany private undertaking called KRUPP & DEMAG Co.

Geography

New Suraksha Path bridge Near Indira Gandhi Park

Rourkela is located at 84.54E longitude and 22.12N latitude in Sundergarh district of Orissa at an elevation of about 219 meters above mean sea level. The area of Rourkela is 200 square kilometers approximately. Red and laterite soils are found here which are quite rich in minerals. The area near Rourkela is rich in iron-ore hence a steel plant is situated in Rourkela. Rourkela is situated in a hilly region which adds to the natural beauty of the city. The Koel and Sankha rivers meet at Vedvyas, Rourkela and flow as a single river called Brahmani. Hence Rourkela is the confluence of Koel, Sankha and Brahmani.

Hands of Steel

"The Hands of Steel" or the "Ten Million Monument",[3] designed by Mr Vijay Acquilla made at the initiative of Dr. P L Agarwal is one of the well known landmarks of Rourkela.

Layout

The Rourkela Township is divided into two separate townships under Census of India as Steel Township and Civil Township. The Residential quarters colony of Rourkela Steel Plant having 21 sectors on record (while in reality the Sector – 10, 11 and 12 do not exist, though the area for the same is earmarked) is called Steel Township and the other part is called Civil Township. One smaller township Fertilizer was renamed sector-22, as this township is within the purview of SAIL.[4]

The 23 kilometers long Ring Road, connecting 19 sectors and some other parts of the steel city including old Rourkela is perhaps its most important landmark. The important places on the Ring Road are as follows –

  1. Aam Bagan (Ispat Market)
  2. VIP Market Sector-5 & Super Market (Near from Sector 19 Chowk)
  3. Chhend Colony
  4. Basanti Nagar & STI Chowk
  5. Indira Gandhi Park
  6. Bisra Chowk (Rourkela Main Road)
  7. Main Gate (RSP, SAIL)
  8. Hanuman Vatika

Important Layouts (Other than Ring Road) are: Civil Township, Station Road (Bus & Railway), Koel Nagar, Panposh, Udit Nagar, Fertiliser Township, IGH Road, Vedvyas.

Climate

Rourkela has a tropical climate and receives high rainfall during Southwest monsoon (June – September) and retreating Northeast monsoon (December – January). Average annual rainfall ranges between 160 and 200 cm. The minimum and maximum temperatures are in the range of 7 C to 47 C with a mean minimum and maximum temperature range of 9.8 C to 39.2 C during coldest and hottest months. Thirty six percent of the geographical area of the district has semi-evergreen or tropical dry deciduous forest.[5]

Climate data for Rourkela
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24
(75) 		27
(81) 		31
(88) 		36
(97) 		37
(99) 		33
(91) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		27
(81) 		24
(75) 		30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 9
(48) 		13
(55) 		17
(63) 		21
(70) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		19
(66) 		14
(57) 		10
(50) 		18
(64)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 22
(0.9) 		23
(0.9) 		29
(1.1) 		27
(1.1) 		55
(2.2) 		259
(10.2) 		334
(13.1) 		322
(12.7) 		255
(10.0) 		93
(3.7) 		19
(0.7) 		10
(0.4) 		1,448
(57)
Source: Rourkela Weather

Economy

Major industries

Rourkela is the industrial capital of Orissa. It has industries of all sizes. The city is known internationally for iron & steel trades. Recent upspurt in iron & steel pricing has seen a lot of industries of all sizes coming in and around Rourkela. The city is near to the source of Raw Materials.

Major Industries:

Tourism

Rourkela also acts as a hub for tourism in Orissa. Hanuman Vatika is a famous site to see and behold in Rourkela

Hanuman Vatika

Main article: Hanuman Vatika

The city houses the Hanuman Vatika, which is a major attraction for the locals and visitors to the town. A 74.9 feet (23 m) tall full-fledged Hanuman statue welcomes the visitors to the steel city. Sri Laxmana Swami was the architect behind the statue. The Hanuman Vatika Trust Board has made a temple complex on 13 acres (53,000 m²) of land. The Bata Mangala Mandira, Vinayaka Mandira and Manas Parayana Sharala have been established to the entrance of the Hanuman Vatika. The Koili Baikuntha, the kitchen, the Kalyan Mandap and the Bhajan Mandap lie close to the Jagannath temple.

Vedavyas

Vedvyas – adjacent to modern Rourkela and Panposh – is a highly revered place and religious for Hindus – most ancient and almost pre-historic. Historians debate that ‘Vyasadeva’ was not an individual, but a school of thoughts of 18 rishis – all named Vyasadeva.

A place of natural beauty also considered a 'Tirtha', is situated 9 km away on the confluence of the rivers Shankha, Koel and Saraswati. The place is also considered as "Tridhaara Sangam". There is a Vedic Ashram and a Gurukula system school here. It is at this site that the epic Mahabharata was purported to have been put down on paper by Maharishi Vyas. The naming of the place ‘Vedvyas’ at the confluence of 3 rivers:

  1. Sankha – from Chhatisgarh, over which Mandira Dam and Reservoir of SAIL is located;
  2. Koel – from Jharkhand and
  3. River Saraswati, which is now extinct. It has historic authenticity. Still there is a perennial flow of water from an artisan source called "Saraswati Kund".

The mighty and the holy river "Brahmani" comes into existence by the confluence from this place. After the Ganga-debacle, King Shantanu fell in love with a fisherman’s daughter Satyabati – starting flash-point of the Mahabharat stories. ‘Vedvyas’ was the ashram (the Holy Hermitage) of Vaisampayan Vyasadeva – first maker of the legendary epic Mahabharata. This was the place where the Vedas were interpreted to Purans.

Mandira Dam

Mandira Dam, near Kansbahal is situated at the lowest level, it is mostly used for Rourkela Steel Plant.

Ghoghar Temple

The Ghoghar Temple, 30 km. from Rourkela dates back to antiquity. The temple is by the Ghoghar river, a gorge on River IB, is situated in 200 19’ North and 840 0 ‘E longitude. The beautiful gorge with its sylvan background is also a popular holy spot and attracts visitors throughout the year. There is a naturally formed Siva Linga of Black granite here. The renovated temple has a facility of community lunch and lodging for outstation visitors. Devotees from all over throng the place especially during the month of Shravan (July / August). Other than this during Kartika Purnima in the months of November and Shivaratri February / March, thousands of devotees visit this place. Ghoghar is easily approachable both from Kansbahal and Rajgangpur.courtsy by – S.M.Engineers (Samarendra Mohapatra), ph-9937905360, Ranibandh, Rajgangpur

Khandadhar

The 244 m High Khandadhar is 90 km from Rourkela via Bonaigarh. It is formed by the perennial Korapani Nala which flows here throughout the year. It is the highest waterfall in Orissa and the 4th highest in India.

Darjin

Darjin is a picnic spot on the river Brahmani. Nearby is Deodhar, a gorge on the river. It is 51 km from Rourkela on National Highway No. 23. About 180 km from Rourkela, Junagarh has a fort of historical and archaeological importance with ancient caves. Another haunt of the tourists is the Mirig Khog Waterfall, a picnic spot, 111 km from Rourkela.

Maa Vaishno Devi Temple

Situated on the top of a small hill with a beautiful ambiance of green trees and fresh air throughout the day, adding another spot of devotion and attraction to the City. The Maa Vaishno Devi Temple may not replicate the actual experience but the tour to the Temple enriches the viewers with beautiful landscape of half the City and with the Steel Plant's view, with a fresh breeze every time. The images of Maa Kali, Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati were found on the hillock which took the form of the present temple further. The Temple was constructed and completed in the year 2003. Having visitors half the city every day at the time of Navaratras, the temple pops at the top on the must visit charts.

Laxmi Narayan Mandir

Situated in Sector-14 on a small hillock this is a place to attend complete peace of mind, away from the hustle and bustle of city. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi Mata...

Civic administration

The steel city is divided mainly into two sections: Old Rourkela (sections of the city near the railway station that were settled prior to RSP coming up) and the much larger Steel township. The Steel township till 1999, was divided into 18 Sectors, Sector 6 being the largest of them.

The Steel township & Fertilizer Township are under the Steel Plant Administration while the other sections of the city are under the Rourkela Municipal Committee. Some rural areas of South Rourkela are managed by the Jalda Panchayat.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,[6] Rourkela had nearly 7 lakhs of population. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Rourkela has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 69%. In Rourkela, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

  • Density of Population – 6,696 per km2. approx.
  • Sex Ratio – 835 Female per 1000 male.
  • Per Capita income – Highest in Orissa.
  • Population (Census 2011) – 7 Lakhs approx.
  • Main Habitations in Rourkela – Civil Township, Koelnagar, Chhend Colony, Uditnagar, Steel Township (Eighteen Sectors), Fertilizer Township, Industrial Estate, Basantinagar, Jhirpani, Jagda, Panposh, Vedavyas and Kalunga.
See also: List of cities in Orissa

Transport

As Rourkela is the commercial and industrial capital of Orissa, it has a developed transportation network.

Rail

Rourkela South Eastern Railway Station

It is situated on the Kolkata-Mumbai South Eastern railway line which is a major route connecting the two metros of India. Rourkela is directly connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Patna, Vishakhapatnam, Jamshedpur, Raipur, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur and many more cities of India. It is also the only city in Orissa to be connected to Jammu & Kashmir.

Road

Being in a state, which has depended on Road Transport for decades. Rourkela has a good connectivity to the other towns on the State with an average frequency through Road. Rourkela city is connected with National Highways NH-23 and SH-10 to the towns and cities of Orissa.

Local transport

Though the city is well connected to the other towns of the state. The internal transport system of the city is not so organized showing the lack of Interest of the Local and State Authorities. Independent three-wheeler auto taxis without meters and local self governance are the most important mode of transportation in the city. Cars as Taxis also ply on the city's roads. Sampark buses, introduced in September 2006, connect various areas in the city.

Air

At one time Rourkela was the only city in Orissa to have a direct air connectivity with Kolkata. But with the transfer of Rourkela Airport from the hands of Airport Authority of India to SAIL and the apathy of state government this was halted.

During mid 2000 Air Deccan showed interest to start its operations here but it never happened. Meanwhile SKY Airways connected the city with Bhubaneswar and Barbil. Again due to some problems it was stopped.

Around 2010-11, the authority of Rourkela Airport was passed over to Airport Authority of India. DTDS started services connecting Rourkela to other steel cities of India and Kolkata. DTDS also introduced India's first per seat charter service from Rourkela.

As of now it is connected to Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata through DTDS.

Culture

Rourkela has two recreation parks: 1) Indira Gandhi Park in front of the Gayatri Mandir hillock. This zoo is the second largest in the Orissa, with 42 acres of land. It has gardens with rare varieties of flowers, a grass meadow, a doll museum, a miniature zoo and an aquarium. The gardens include Japanese garden, rose garden and a fountain garden.

The zoo has a train which goes around the park. Apart from this, there is a big tower in the park, atop from which one could get a breathtaking view of the city.

2) Jubilee Park abutting Sector-8 it also has deer park.

Entertainment

Bhanja Bhawan and Civic Center are the two landmarks which shows the rich cultural and societal values of the city. Since its inception Bhanja Bhawan caters to the needs of all types classical, folk dancing and singing, paintings of the city. Every year State level and National Level Drama and Dancing competitions are held in Civic Center.

Radio (FM)

Rourkela City has a radio station of All India Radio (A.I.R) located at Jagda. All India Radio, Rourkela, broadcasts on FM Band 102.06 MHz since 24-06-1995. AIR Rourkela has got two transmission one from 12pm to 5pm & the second from 6pm to 11pm. It is the only FM channel in Rourkela broadcasting National, Regional and District News. Apart from broadcasting News, AIR, Rourkela (102.6 FM), also broadcast programmes on Special Audience i.e. Farmers Programme Kisan Vani, Women's Programme-Nari Mahal, Children Programme-Sishu Raija, Programme for Youth-Yuvavani, Industrial Programme-Shramika Jagata. Entertainment programme in Hindi and Oriya Film and Non Film Songs-Apananka Pasanda, Ekaka Kalakar, Sangeeta Sagara Tire, Hello Anurodh (Phone in Hindi Film Songs). It is a channel for all sections of the society. As a public broadcaster it is the duty of AIR, Rourkela to Inform, Educate and provide wholesome Entertainment for all. AIR, Rourkela also broadcast Vivdh Bharati, Mumbai staring from 01.30pm (IST) to 5pm (IST). Vivdh Bharati broadcasts Hindi Film songs both old and latest. It also originates commercial broadcast as per the demand of advertisers of this area and also relay Sponsored program mes from AIR, Delhi, CSU, Mumbai & AIR, Cuttack. The listening zone of this station covers Sundergarh District and goes up to Jharkhand. The studio complex is at Jagda, Rourkela and the transmitter is installed on the top of Durgapur Hill Top. This station is now fully equipped and digital recordings are made using latest audio software. This station is having rich collection of traditional Tribal & Folk Music of Sundargarh districts, Light and Sambalpuri songs of Orissa. It has also have large collection of Hindi & Oriya Film and Non fIlm songs. Listen to AIR, Rourkela and feel the difference. Its a bouquet with all kinds of programms for all kind of listeners starting from children & youth to senior citizen, from rural to urban, from industrial worker to agricultural workers. Especially it is an excellent media for visually challenged persons for information, entertainment and education. Its the only media for the poor and villages who does not have electricity. Other privately owned radio channels include Radio Chocolate 104 and Big 92.7 FM. These channels broadcast Hindi & Oriya Film & Non Film Songs, Talk Shows and other entertainment programmes.

Movie theatres

  • Konark Cinema Hall, Ring Road

The Oscar nominated film director, Mira Nair, was born here.[7]

Raj Viswanadha, the writer of the super-hit animation series Chhota Bheem telecast on Pogo TV, hails from here.

Education

Main article: Education in Rourkela

Rourkela is the educational, technical and Medical research hub of Western Orissa. It houses many English medium schools which provide CBSE and ICSE certificates to their students.

The students of these schools represent their schools in various national level and international competitions including IMO and NASA.[8][9] Rourkela also houses one of the premier institutes of the country, NIT Rourkela.[10]

Rourkela has got a new Medical College, under development which boasts itself to be the primer in the region for the purpose. There are overall 15 colleges for arts, science and commerce streams under the Sambalpur university.[11] There are also private engineering colleges Padmanava (PCE), Rourkela Institute of Management Studies (RIMS), DAMITS, RIT and Purushottam PIET. This colleges come under the jurisdiction of Biju Pattnaik University Of Technology, BPUT head office is located in Rourkela.[12]

Universities:

Sports

Hockey Rourkela has always been proud to produce some of the best hockey players for India. Indian captain Dilip Tirkey and deep defender Lazarus Barlahave started their careers from here. Rourkela has Special Hockey Hostels for Kids, upbringing the next generation players with some of the best amenities. It has produced as many as 4 Arjuna Awardees including Mrs. Minati Mohapatra. Olympians of repute like Paralympian Roshan and Rachita Mistry are from this city. Indian national cricketer Sanjay Raul and the Under-19 world cup representative Chandrakant Barik play from this city. Former National 'B' champion in chess and second only to Viswanathan Anand in national 'A' Mr Pabitra Mohan Mohanty is a proud sporting son of the city.

The city has a sports hub of two stadiums and few other sports grounds located in sector-6. The two stadiums are Ispat Stadium and a beautiful Astro-turf Hockey Stadium. There is a basketball ground, a chess hall, and a well maintained volley-ball ground near-by. The indoor stadium at sector-20 hosts the badminton and Table Tennis events.

Stadiums

Rourkela has an International hockey stadium with synthetic astroturf which has been host to World Junior Hockey Championship and been a training center to most of the international Hockey players of India. Ispat Stadium has been host for several Ranji Trophy matches. The city has produced many reputed Ranji players in the recent times.

  • Sports Hostel, Chhend
  • Ispat Stadium (Sector-6)
  • Biju Pattnaik Hockey Stadium (Sector-6)
  • Sports Hostel, Panposh
  • IG Stadium, Fertilizer Township
  • Hockey stadium

Notable residents

  • Mira Nair, film director
  • Dilip Tirkey, former India hockey captain
  • Ignace Tirkey, Indian hockey player
  • Lazarus Barla, Indian hockey player
  • Natraj Behera, Orissa cricket team captain
  • Harish Hande, Magsaysay Award winner
  • Shaan, The Musician was born here
  • Bipin Behari Panda (son of Late Radhakrushna Panda, Born in 1935 in Baincha Village in Balasore dist of Orissa), Mahatma Gandhi Award Winner & noted social worker(Close associate of noble souls like Mother Teressa,Ramadevi,Nabkrushna Choudhury) lives in this city, who has enormous contribution for the under privileged section of the society & the down trodden of the area. His relentless efforts lead to setting up of a Leprosy Hospital, Home & Hope a institution of Mentally challenged apart from being instrumental in setting up of various social institutions. It is because of his selfless efforts only Rourkela has turned into a Green and beautiful city, as Mr.Bipin Behari Panda was instrumental in mass tree plantation in and around Rourkela and also actively involved in the total literacy movement in Sundergarh District.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf
  2. ^ Rourkela Reader, see "Rourkela from 1921 to 2005". (PDF) . Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  3. ^ Hands of Steel
  4. ^ About Rourkela and its History | Greater Rourkela | Rajgangpur | Kansbahal | Bonai of India. Rourkelacity.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  5. ^ Field Station- Rourkela (Orissa). National Institute of Malaria Research. mrcindia.org
  6. ^ Template:GR
  7. ^ Mira Nair interview with Indian Express [dead link‍]
  8. ^ Rourkela Girl Topped in NASA Contest | Rourkela | Rajgangpur | Kansbahal | Bonai of India. Webcache.googleusercontent.com (2010-05-05). Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  9. ^ Deepika English Medium School|deepika school rourkela. Deepikaemschool.org. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  10. ^ nitrkl.ac.in. nitrkl.ac.in. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  11. ^ Colleges ( General Discipline) | Greater Rourkela | Rajgangpur | Kansbahal | Bonai of India. Rourkelacity.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
  12. ^ bput.ac.in. bput.ac.in. Retrieved on 2012-04-15.
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