Dhanbad is a city in the state of Jharkhand, and is also known as the 'Coal Capital of India'. Dhanbad is among the top 79th fastest growing cities of world.[1] According to 2001 census, Dhanbad is among 35 cities of India. Among the Rail Divisions of Indian Railway, Dhanbad Rail Division is in second position in terms of revenue generation.
Dhanbad is famous for coal mining. Tata Steel,BCCL,ECL and IISCO are some of the companies having coal mines in the district. Coal-mining, Coal washing and coke making are the main coal related industries in the city. IISCO (Indian Iron And Steel Company) is now owned by SAIL, BCCL & ECL comes under CIL (Coal India Ltd), these two companies are the largest operators of coal mines in Dhanbad, and have open cast mines as well as underground mines, whereas Tata Steel has mostly underground mines. These companies have developed townships for their employees.
History
Dhanbad has a rich history of growth, urbanisation and migration of people. The early history of the Dhanbad is shrouded in mystery. Details of even later periods are difficult to trace. The present district used to be a part of Manbhum. In the Settlement Report for Manbhum (1928) it was stated that no rock inscriptions, copper plates or old coins were discovered and not a single document of copper plate or palm leaf was found, during the Survey and Settlement operations. The oldest authentic documents produced were all on paper and barely even a hundred years old.[3] Dhanbad was in Manbhum district from 1928 up to 1956.[4] However, on 24 October 1956, Dhanbad was declared a District on the Recommendation of the States Reorganization Commission vide notification 1911. And from 1956 to 14 November 2000 it was under Bihar. At present it is in Jharkhand, after the creation of state on 15 November 2000.[5]
About the history of coal mines, after starting steel plant at Jamshedpur, Tata Steel started coal mines at Dhanbad in 1910.[6] The first lease was granted in 1910 for Bhelatand coal mines, subsequently lease for Jamadoba, Sijua were given in 1918. For Malkera coal mines lease was given in 1931. Some of these coal mines were closed during World Wars. Among coal washeries Jamadoba coal preparation plant and washery commissioned in 1952, with Chance Cone Process. In 1995-96, Bhelatand coal preparation plant and washery was commissioned. One another mine called the Chasnalla Colliery was under the Tata Group of Mines, after nationalization disaster struck owing to wrong and negligent mining where many lives were lost. Mine ownership by Indians was allowed since 1930s. An enterprising Gujarati, Nandwana Amritlal Morarjee Worah was given the rights to early mines. Soon the whole community was involved in this trade. When the coal mines were nationalized a major chunk of these coal bearing region from Ranigunj-Paraskole was with the Chanchani, Worah and Poddar Groups. Together they controlled more than 250 mines. The Chanchani Group was pioneer in real estate development in Dhanbad. They came up with the Shanti Bhavan Complex at Bank More. These Groups are active in the region doing different businesses and operating Large and Medium sized industries.
Mr. Ram Narayan Sharma, one of the well known former Mp's of Dhanbad was responsible for the growth of Dhanbad in 70's. He was one of the leaders who brought westernized mining techniques to the city.
