Haldia

Haldia, city (1991 pop. 100,109), West Bengal, NE India. Haldia is being developed as a major trade port for Kolkata (Calcutta), intended mainly for bulk cargoes. The city has a fertilizer factory and a refinery, in addition to various light industries.

For the village in Bangladesh, see Haldia, Bangladesh.

Haldia is a city and a municipality in Purba Medinipur in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a major seaport located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Calcutta near the mouth of the Hooghly River, one of the distributaries of the Ganges. The population in 2001 was 170,695.

Haldia is being developed as a major trade port for Calcutta, intended mainly for bulk cargoes. The industrial city has several factories, including South Asian Petrochemicals Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Exide, Shaw Wallace, Tata Chemicals, Petrochemical complex (Haldia Petrochemical) and Hindustan Lever, in addition to various light industries. The port has attracted factories of foreign companies, like Mitsubishi Chemical Company (MCC). A large number of companies are also being set up now, Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI), primarily being ancillary industries to the Haldia Petrochemicals. The Haldia Petrochemicals is the second largest project of such kind in India. Mr.S.K. Bhowmik is the Managing Director and Mr. Ujjal de is the V.P & Head-Marketing.

The Haldia Township is bordered by the Haldi River an offshoot of the Ganges River. The riverside in Haldia is a favorite destination for residents and one can see people strolling down the riverside during the evenings. A catamaran service direct from Kolkata to Haldia was in service. It was later withdrawn due to its high price and decreasing number of passengers.

Haldia is also a base of Indian Coast Guard. There is a hover-port to house two of the six hovercrafts belonging to the Indian Coast Guard.

Geography

Haldia is located at . It has an average elevation of 8 metres (26 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Haldia had a population of 170,695. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Haldia has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 98%. In Haldia, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Climate

Haldia has a typical moderate climate with winter temperatures ranging from a low of around 7 degrees Celsius to a high of 22 degrees Celsius. Winters are chilly and is when the residents hold the Haldia Utsav festival. Summers can be very hot and humid. Usual summer temperatures in May, the hottest month range from a low of 24 degrees to highs around 42 degrees. Rainfall is heavy during monsoons, and the rainy months are between May and September.

Transportation

The transportation system of Haldia is extremely well developed and it is connected to Kolkata by both bus and train. Recent efforts have seen introduction of new air-conditioned buses which takes less than three hours from the place to Kolkata. In terms of local transport cars, bikes, auto rickshaws and specially bicycles are the most common means.

By Road:
1. Haldia Municipality Transport Service (Daily A.C. bus Service). Journey Time: 2.5 hrs, Distance: 122 km.
Kolkata Departure: 07:00 AM, 04:00 PM and 05:30 PM. Contact Numbers (KOL): 9331815444, 9903419264, 9231553659, 9331119797.
Haldia Departure: 07:00 AM, 08:00 AM and 04:45 PM. Contact Numbers (HAL): 03224-641839, 9474973479, 9774000949.
Fare: Rs. 110.00 (Please check and confirm fare and timings before travelling)

2. Kolkata - Amtala - Roychak - Kukrahati - Haldia. Journey Time: 3.5 hrs, Distance : 85 km
Kolkata - Roychak : Bus No - RT210, Frequency : Every 15 min to 30 min, Journey Time: 2 hrs, Fare: Rs. 24.00.
Roychak - Kukrahati : By Water Vessel of Haldia Municipality, Frequency : Every 15/30 mins, Journey Time: 15 mins, Fare : Rs. 8.50.
Kukrahati - Haldia : Private Bus, Mini Bus or Municipality Bus, Frequency : Every 15 min to 30 min, Journey Time: 40 mins to 1 hrs, Fare: Rs. 18.00.

By Train:
1. Howrah - Mecheda - Haldia Journey Time: 3.5 hrs, Distance : 135 km
Howrah - Mechada : By Mecheda, Panskura, Kharagpur or Medinipur Local train, Fare : About Rs. 15.00.
Mecheda - Haldia : By Private or State or Municipality Bus. Journey Time: 1.5 hrs, Frequency : Every 15 min to 30 min, Fare : About Rs. 30.00,

2. Howrah - Haldia.
Howrah - Haldia : By Haldia Local Train, Journey Time: 3.5 hrs, Frequency : Morning & Evening, Fare : About Rs. 30.00.

Education

The main schools are Haldia Govt. Spon. Vivekanada Vidyabhaban, Vivekananda mission, St. Xaviers High School, Poura Path Bhavan, Assembly of God Church School and Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Colleges include, Haldia Institute of Technology, Haldia Law College and Haldia Paramedical College, Global Institute of Science and Technology, Haldia Institute of Dental Science & Research and 2 hotel management colleges.

A 750-bed, air-conditioned hospital and medical college named Dr B C ROY Hospital is being developed.

Sports

The township has lot of open space and so one can see a lot of sporting activities, the primarily being soccer and cricket. The schools have really large playgrounds and enthusiasm among both elders and juniors are palpable during weekend matches. Haldia is going to get Bengal's second "International Cricket Stadium" after "Eden Garden". Here for development of football two big association has been operating named IFA (Indian Football Association) and TFA (Tata Football Academy).

A new project called Haldia International Sports City is under construction. It is first of its kind in India. Shristi Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, a subsidiary of Srei Capital is the developer. It is expected to be completed in 5 years.

Haldia Township

Haldia Township is divided into more than 24 clusters and most of these have quarter arrangements for employees of different companies.

Durgachak

This place is heart of Haldia. Working families, business men stay here. Schools, Stores for shopping, offices,banks, Govt offices, hotels all are located here. People of this area are cool and simple. Four most happening places in Durgachak are - CPT Market, Super Market, New Market, Manjushree. Big Bazar is situated in Akash Ganga Mall,Regent Millennium Tower.

Travel Informations

References

See also