Chandrapura

Chandrapura
Census Town
Chandrapura Location in Jharkhand, India
Coordinates: 23°45′N 86°07′E / 23.75°N 86.12°ECoordinates: 23°45′N 86°07′E / 23.75°N 86.12°E
Country	India
State	Jharkhand
District	Bokaro
Population (2011)
• Total	27,425
Languages
• Official	Hindi, Santali, Bengali
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	828403
Telephone code	06549
Website	bokaro.nic.in
Industrial township of Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (C.T.P.S) under Damodar Valley Corporation

Chandrapura is a census town in Chandrapura (community development block) in Bermo subdivision of Bokaro district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is situated on the northern banks of the river Damodar. The town is well known for the Chandrapura Thermal Power Station, a thermal-coal based power generation unit of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

Chandrapura Thermal Power Station

The Chandrapura Thermal Power Station has an installed power generation capacity of 920 MW. However, out of 920 MW, only 890 MW is operational. The power station consists of 5 units – 3 units of 140MW each, constructed by General Electric (GE) and remaining 2 units of 250 MW each, constructed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The two new units were installed recently as a part of the expansion program of DVC's Power Project. BHEL had been contracted for the construction and installation of the new units. The units have been installed and have commenced production from late 2011.

The power station had the pride of being largest pulverized fuel fire power station of Asia and Unit Number I was the first reheat unit installed in India with highest steam parameters. Electrical switchyard of CTPS is a pride of DVC, being India’s biggest network. Also, the chimney of newly constructed thermal power unit holds the distinction of having highest standing tower in India and 4th highest in Asia within its township area. The power plant also provides employment to a lot of people in the surrounding regions.

The power plant was a major source of pollution for the adjoining areas owing to the coal-based generators, but things changed after electrostatic precipitators were installed in the chimneys, and large-scale afforestation was carried out, which lowered the pollution levels significantly.

Geography

Chandrapura is roughly situated near the East-Central part of Jharkhand at 23°45′N 86°07′E / 23.75°N 86.12°E and has an average elevation of 222 m (728 ft).

The town is surrounded by a group of hillocks on the North-West, West and the South. On the North, it is surrounded by the small adjoining villages of Ghatiyari, Pipradih, Narra and Taranari. The town is well connected by road and rail. Chandrapura railway station, being one of the biggest railway intersections in the nation, has five routes which provide efficient transportation all throughout India.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India Chandrapura had a population of 27,425, of which 14,428 were males and 12,997 females. Scheduled Castes numbered 2,908 and Scheduled Tribes numbered 1,990.^[1]

As of the 2001 India census,^[2] Chandrapura had a population of 22,389. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Chandrapura had an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 62%. 13% of the population was under 6 years of age.

The thermal power plant of Damodar Valley Corporation is the main source of employment in the town. This serves as pool of well educated people hence attributing to the higher literacy rate here.

Literacy

As per 2011 census the total number of literates in Chandrapura was 19,726 out of which 11,219 were males and 8,507 were females.^[1]

Chandrapura Railway Station

Shopping & Recreation

Chandrapura has a sprawling market place at Nimiya More. The range of outlets vary from sports to grocery, bakery to fancy clothing, to name just a few. Recently, several new shops have been set up pertaining to the increasing population due to the installation of new units, hence driving in more employees and residents. Besides, there are a few other small markets scattered across the town, and the weekly market (locally known as the Sunday market), which takes place every week on Sundays. The town, however, lacks any multiplexes or shopping malls.

Chandrapura boasts of various recreational clubs such as the Sahitya Parishad, Urdu Majlis and Officers' Club in D-type locality, Yuva Rang Manch, near the D.V.C. Main Hospital and also the Baisakhi Club – a notable hangout for the Bengali-speaking population of the town – near the post office. The local cultural centre, known as the Welfare Centre, hosts various social and cultural activities throughout the year. The town also has a small stadium, maintained by the D.V.C., where various sports activities and parades take place. The town previously used to have a movie theater. However, it was shut down recently due to lack of funds and a general disinterest among the local residents towards the theater.

Chandrapura has a lot of protected forest regions, owing to various environmental programs undertaken by the D.V.C. These places have immense natural beauty, and hence they serve as good recreational areas. The Deer park, a sanctuary for deers, protected and maintained by the local forest office, is located in the heart of the town. Also, the hills surrounding the town are rich with wildlife and hence are popular recreational spots.

Culture

Like most cities and towns of the country, Chandrapura has a varied cultural diversity, owing to the various linguistic and cultural groups. Different festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, Holi, Chhath Puja, Rath Yatra, Eid, as well as some native festivals like Sarhul are celebrated here. There are a number of temples located throughout the town. The town also has a Mosque, a Church and a Gurudwara.

Education

Chandrapura has a set of good educational institutions. The De Nobili School, Chandrapura, which is currently affiliated to the C.I.S.C.E, is the most well reputed school in the locality for providing quality education. Also, the Kendriya Vidyalaya, (affiliated to the C.B.S.E) and two separate schools funded by the D.V.C – the D.V.C. Middle School and the D.V.C. High School, for middle school and high school students, respectively – also provide good education. Schools and coaching centres in the neighbouring cities of Dugda, Bhandaridah and Bokaro Steel City also serve the purpose of providing quality education to the students. Besides these, the Blossom School also holds a well reputation among the locals as an institution for providing good primary education. Also, the D.V.C. Inter College - a government college funded by D.V.C., provides higher education. "ACCELERATORS" - An educational Institution provides Computer Training and Coaching classes after board exams in almost all subjects. The reputation of the institute is very good. All of them contribute to the all-round development of the children in the township.

Pragya Kendra

Fully functional Pragya Kendra is located at Chandrapura, serving the people for preparation of different certificates like Birth, Death, Caste, Income, Residence. A lot of online facilities are provided to mass at Pragya Kendra.

References

1. "2011 Census C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". Jharkhand – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.

External links