As you get off the train a sense of calm, yet the feeling of a clean township will dawn on you. This is Jamshedpur, the first well planned industrial city of India founded by the Late Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata. The city has seen so many changes since 1904 and today ranks 28th among the 35 million plus cities. Also known as Tatanagar — due to the company's significant presence, is one of the cleanest cities in India. It is a place where you feel you are amidst nature.
Can't miss
The first things you will notice on your way out of the station into the township besides its cleanliness and neatness is the integrated township. Broad roads lined with trees on either side, absolutely no garbage and playgrounds which hardly seem to be there in other cities are probably the first things you will notice. Parks and small carts selling anything from watermelon during summer to litti during winters dot the roads. This holiday as I went there with my friends I felt pride for the first time as I took them on a city tour. They could not stop thinking how clean a city could be. And to think we actually staged protests against a municipality taking over Jamshedpur. Thank god the Tatas won the case…our first stop was obviously to the company that brings alive Jamshedpur and that's Tata Steel.
My friends got a detailed explanation of the process of making steel as we went from one shop floor to the other. After the heat we wanted fresh air and that is when I decided it's best to take them to what we call the mix drinks stall. A glass of Thumbs up with Fanta peppered with black salt and lemon makes fora good drink. Then I showed them around the famous Jubilee park, built along the lines of the Brindavan gardens and the lake. My friends were in for a surprise at the Tata zoological gardens as they spotted the Bengal tigers and quite an expanse of trees with some migratory birds that decided to play peek a boo.
Natural connect
People here still believe in spending their holidays or their weekend going for picnic to Jubilee Park, Dimna Lake, Hudco Da or Highway resort. Be it Pattamda the green village or Chandil on the famous river bank of Swarnarekha they have never ceased to attract crowds both the tourists and locals. Dalma hills a little away from the city is also a beautiful picnic spot as one can even get lucky abd spot wildlife.
Must see
There are a number of places to visit in and around Jamshedpur like the Golpari Mandir, Narva Pahar, Bhuvaneshwari and Krishna Temple, Bistupur and Sakchi Market and number of private clubs like Beldih, United club. Golmuri, Telco and G.Town clubs etc. The ideal time to visit the Steel City is September-October when the city is lit up for Durga puja. A visit to the steel factory is a must. Away from the pollution of the metro cities lies the quiet steel city Jamshedpur. A salute to the Tata's for a wonderful creation!
Options to stay
ITC Fortune Centre Point
Citi Inn
Yashwee International
Ginger Hotels
Wave International
Ganga Regency
Ganga International
Must-haves
Morning Jalebi and Samosa at D Road, Sonari
Dosa behind Beldih Kalibari especially Chotu's Dosa,
Circuit House Boauji's samosa
Madrasi Samelani's dosa and bonda
Bistupur corner masala drink
Chappan Bhog chats and sweets
Fakira Chanachur, Sonpapuri
Novelty's ice-cream
Samboo's cold pan.
Aditya has just finished EEE from Rajarajeswari College of Engineering.
