Quick Facts

Quick Facts

General Information

• Location: Kharagpur is situated in the Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India.
• Geography: Located about 120 km west of Kolkata.
• Nickname: Sometimes called "Mini India" because of its diverse population from across the country.
• Coordinates: Approximately 22.34°N 87.32°E.
• Elevation: About 29 meters (95 feet) above sea level.

History

• Etymology:
  • Named after King Kharga Malla of the Mallabhum dynasty.
• Early Development:
  • Originally a small village.
  • Rapidly developed during the British era, especially after the establishment of the railway workshop.
• Post-Independence:
  • Gained further importance with the setting up of IIT Kharagpur in 1951 — the first IIT in India.

Economy and Industry

• Indian Railways:
  • Kharagpur has one of the largest railway workshops in India.
  • Kharagpur Railway Station had the longest railway platform in the world for many decades (now second longest).
  • It's a crucial junction in South Eastern Railway (SER).
• Education Sector:
  • IIT Kharagpur is a major employer and economic driver.
• Other Industries:
  • Light manufacturing.
  • Retail and trading.
  • Growing service sector linked to education, healthcare, and small businesses.
• Emerging Sectors:
  • IT and technology hubs are slowly developing due to proximity to IIT.

Transportation

• By Rail:
  • A major railway junction — connects to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore.
  • Trains like Howrah-Mumbai Mail, Coromandel Express pass through here.
• By Road:
  • Well-connected via NH 16 (part of the Golden Quadrilateral project).
• By Air:
  • Nearest airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (about 2.5 hours by road).

Education

• Major Institutions:
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur: First IIT of India, established in 1951.
  • Railway Schools: Several schools for children of railway employees (like South Eastern Railway English Medium School).
  • Kharagpur College: Offers undergraduate programs.
• Focus: Science, technology, engineering, management, humanities.

Culture and Attractions

• Popular Spots:
  • IIT Kharagpur Campus:
    • The sprawling campus includes iconic structures like the Main Building, Nehru Museum of Science and Technology, and lush gardens.
  • Railway Museum Kharagpur: Exhibits the history of Indian Railways.
  • Deer Park: A local small wildlife attraction.
  • Chandrakona Rajbari: Nearby historical place.
  • Hijli Detention Camp: Historical site inside IIT campus, where freedom fighters were imprisoned during British rule.
• Festivals:
  • Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur.
  • Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas are also prominent due to the city's diverse culture.
  • IIT fests like Spring Fest and Kshitij draw students from all over India.

Climate

• Type: Tropical savanna climate (Aw).
• Summer: Hot and dry (April–June), temperature can soar up to 40°C.
• Monsoon: (July–September) brings heavy rainfall.
• Winter: Mild and comfortable (December–February), temperature ranges between 10–20°C.

Notable Points

• First IIT: IIT Kharagpur is considered the mother of all IITs in India.
• Railway Legacy: Home to one of the oldest and largest railway workshop areas in Asia.
• Longest Platform: Kharagpur Railway Station held the record for the world's longest railway platform (1,072.5 meters) for many years (now second, after Gorakhpur).
• Multicultural Society: Because of railway employees transferred from across India, Kharagpur has people speaking Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, and many other languages.

Interesting Facts

• Hijli Detention Camp: Before becoming IIT Kharagpur, the place was a colonial prison where freedom fighters were jailed.
• First Open Heart Surgery in Eastern India: Performed at B. C. Roy Technology Hospital, IIT campus.
• Spring Fest and Kshitij: Among the biggest college festivals in India, organized by IIT Kharagpur.
• Township Style: Kharagpur is divided into small "lines" or neighborhoods, especially the old railway colonies — names like "South Side," "North Side," and "Station Road" are very common.