Howrah
Howrah (/ˈhaʊrə/, Bengali: [ˈɦao̯ɽa], alternatively spelled as Haora[11]) is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. Howrah is located on the western bank of the Hooghly River opposite its twin city of Kolkata. Administratively it lies within Howrah district, and is the headquarters of the Howrah Sadar subdivision. It is a part of the area covered by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Howrah is an important transportation hub and gateway to Kolkata and West Bengal.
Demographics
Dependent on definitions and geographical boundaries Howrah is measured as either the 2nd or 3rd largest city in West Bengal (behind Kolkata, and perhaps Asansol). As of 2011 Indian census, Howrah (not including the now re-incorporated Bally Municipality) had a population of 1,077,075 with households.[7] [note 1] In 2011 Bally had a population of 293,373.[20]
In the 1896 census of British India, Howrah had a population of 84,069, which grew to 157,594 in the 1901 census.[21][22] This rapid growth was due to abundance of job opportunities, which resulted in a 100% increase in male population during this period, whereas the female population grew only by 60%.[21]
Development & growth[edit]
Even though it is one of the largest cities in the state, Howrah did not undertake appropriate infrastructure development in the last century.[citation needed] As a result, Howrah is continuing to face its perennial problems like traffic congestion, population explosion and pollution.[31][citation needed] The ratio of roadspace to the population is low in this city, even comparatively smaller towns like Baharampur enjoy a better ratio.[citation needed] The emigrant labour force from the rest of the state’s rural areas and neighbouring states take refuge in the cheaper quarters in Howrah, bringing the already poor infrastructure to the brink of collapse.[citation needed] Many times such migrations reduce a locality to a poor-infrastructure slum.[citation needed] The name of the novel City of Joy, which has been often the name the Kolkata metropolis been called, is actually based on one such slum of Howrah.[32]
However, recently, work has been done on broadening the National Highways and several local roads.[citation needed] These activities are expected to help in improvement of traffic conditions. Of late, Howrah has seen a lot of new industrial proposals like the Kona Truck Terminus,[33] Kolkata West International City and relocation of the old smoky foundry plants.[citation needed]
The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority also plans growth in Howrah, as the city lies within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.
Economy[edit]
Often termed as Sheffield of the East,[34] Howrah is known as an engineering hub, mainly in the area of light engineering industry.[34] In 1823, Bishop Reginald Heber described Howrah as the place “chiefly inhabited by shipbuilders”.[35] There are small engineering firms all over Howrah, particularly around Belilios Road area near Howrah station[36] However these businesses are declining in the 21st century.[34] There are many foundries in Liluah area.[citation needed]
Burn Standard Company, a major company in heavy engineering industry, has its oldest manufacturing unit located in Howrah.[37] The Howrah plant of Shalimar Paints (established in 1902) was the first large-scale paint manufacturing plant to be set up not only in India but in entire South East Asia.[38] The jute industry suffered during the Partition of Bengal (1947), when the larger jute production area became part of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The foundry industry saw a decline in demand due to growth in steel industry.
Transport
Howrah can be accessed from its many rail links, road links to National Highways, as well as its transport connections to Kolkata. Apart from the bridges connecting the cities, there are also ferry services between various jetties.
Rail
Howrah Station
Howrah Junction railway station (more commonly referred to as Howrah Station) is the major railway station serving Howrah, Kolkata and the neighbouring districts. It was established in 1854 when a railway line was constructed connecting the city to the coalfields of Bardhaman. Howrah Station serves as a terminal for two railway zones of India: the Eastern Railway and the South Eastern Railway, and it is connected to most of the major cities of India. From Howrah both Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway operates connecting various stations of the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Bardhaman, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. Within Howrah city itself, there are twelve more stations, the most prominent being Shalimar.
Metro rail
Howrah is planned to be served by the Kolkata Metro Line 2 with Salt Lake in Kolkata via a tunnel under River Hooghly. On the Howrah side, the 2 Stations will be at Howrah Station and Howrah Maidan. As of June 2021 these stations are under construction.
Roads
The total road length in Howrah is approximately 300 kilometres (190 mi).[39] Howrah hosts a branch of the Grand Trunk Road – this was built, starting 1804, by the Public Works Department of the British administration.[40] The road starts at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden[41] and connects to the main road near Chandannagar.[40] Howrah also connects the metropolitan region to the national highways – NH 16 and NH 19, which are connected to Vidyasagar Setu via the Kona Expressway.
Howrah has many various neighbourhoods, the most notable being Shibpur, Santragachi, Belur, Ramrajatala, Liluah and Bally.[citation needed] Shibpur hosts the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, containing the Great Banyan tree, and the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur.[44] Santragachi has a large railway station as well as the Santragachhi Jheel, a large lake that attracts migratory birds during winter.[citation needed] Belur hosts Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Ramrajatala hosts a famous Rama Temple.[citation needed] Near Howrah Station is the slum of Pilkhana which was the basis of the famous book and film “City of Joy”.[32] Liluah host some of India’s oldest railway factories and is also the educational Hub of Howrah.[cita
