DISTRICT PROFILE SARAN INTRODUCTION
Saran district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar. Saran district is a part of Saran division. Saran district is also known as Chhapra district because the headquarters of this district is Chhapra. Saran district is bounded by the districts of Siwan, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Vaishali and Bhojpur of Bihar and Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. Important rivers flowing through Saran district are Ganga, Gandak, and Ghaghra which encircle the district from south, north east and west side respectively.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Saran was earlier known as ‘SHARAN’ which means refuge in English, after the name given to a Stupa (pillar) built by Emperor Ashoka. Another view is that the name Saran has been derived from SARANGA- ARANYA or the deer forest since the district was famous for its forests and deer in pre-historic times. In ancient days, the present Saran division, formed a part of Kosala kingdom. According to 'Ain-E-Akbari’, Saran was one of the six Sarkars/ revenue divisions, constituting the province of Bihar. By 1666, the Dutch established their trade in saltpetre at Chhapra. Saran was one of the oldest and biggest districts of Bihar. In 1829, Saran along with Champaran, was included in the Patna Division. Saran was separated from Champaran in 1866 when Champaran district was constituted. In 1981, the three subdivisions of the old Saran district namely Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj became independent districts which formed a part of Saran division. There are a few villages in Saran which are known for their historical and social significance. Village Rampur Kallan is known for its commendable role in freedom movement.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Saran district comprises of 3 sub-divisions and 20 blocks Subdivisions: Chapra, Sonepur, Marhaura. Blocks:
Manjhi Sonepur Maker o o o o Dighwara o Garkha o Nagra
o Rivilganj o Ekma o Panapur
o Parsa o Dariyapur o Eisuapur
o Baniapur o Jalalpur o Lahladpur
o Amnaur o Marhaura o Jantabazar
o Taraiya o Masarakh
Total number of panchayats in Saran district: 330. Total number of villages in Saran district:1767.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
Agriculture is the main activity of Saran district. Agricultural products include paddy, wheat, sugar cane, potato and maize. The soil of the district is alluvial. The diara areas in the beds of the three rivers are subjected to periodic inundation, hence are highly fertile. No mineral of economic value is found in the district. Economy of Saran has seen sustained growth. The sugar factories in the region contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran.
Per Capita Gross State and District Domestic Product
13404 15000 11311 11815 10237 9832 9588 8565 10000 7019 7648 7901
5000
0 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11
Per Capita Gross District Domestic Product Per Capita Gross State Domestic Product
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Govt. of Bihar
GEOGRAPHIC
Coordinates Latitude: 25º 36' to 26º 13' North Longitude: 84º 24' to 85º 15' East Temperature 42° C (Max.) 10° C (Min.) Average rainfall 818.87 mm
Area 2641 sq. km
Altitude 36 meters
Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur, official website of district DEMOGRAPHIC
Population 3,943,098
Population density 1,500 per sq. km
Population growth 21.37%
Sex ratio 949 per 1000 male
Literacy rate 68.57%
Languages spoken Bhojpuri, Maithili, Hindi and Urdu
INDUSTRIAL
Registered industrial units 5895
Registered medium & large Nil units Total industrial units 5895 No. of industrial areas Nil Type of industries Agro based, woolen, silk and artificial thread based clothes, readymade garments & embroidery, wood/ wooden based furniture, paper & paper products, leather based, chemical/ chemical based, rubber, plastic & petro based, mineral based, metal based, engineering units, electrical machinery & transport equipments, repairing & servicing. INVESTMENT
Agriculture is the main activity of Saran district and paddy, wheat and sugar cane, potato and maize are the major crops grown there. The sugar factories in the region contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran. The district also has a leather cluster based at Chapra.
Investment (Rs. In Lakhs) 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur
INDUSTRIA PROFILE
Major industries include metal, wooden, and agro processing.
Potential areas for service industry: transportation, hotels/restaurants, beauty parlours /saloon, health gym etc.
Potential for new MSMEs: agro based products, water treatment plants, readymade garments, restaurants, beauty parlour/saloon, ladies boutique etc.
INDUSTRIES AT GLANCE
Registered industrial units 5895 Total industrial units 5895 Registered medium & large units Nil Estimated avg. no. of daily workers employed in 3 small scale industries Employment in large and medium industries Nil No. of industrial area Nil
EXISTING MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES AND ARTISAN UNITS
Type of industry No. of Investment Units (Rs. Lakh) Agro based 2358 1414 Woolen, silk & artificial thread based clothes 8 32 Readymade garments and embroidery 28 146 Wood/wooden based products 345 427.88 Paper and paper products 48 50 Leather based 200 100 Rubber, plastic and petro based 56 60.6 Mineral based 65 90.68 Metal based 564 448.46 Engineering units 200 400 Electrical machinery and transport equipment 265 325.75 Repairing and servicing 521 130.25 Others 1230 410 Total 5895 4035.62
Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur INFRASTRUCTURE
The district also has a leather cluster based at Chapra with 68 industrial units. Types of industries present in Saran district are: Agro based, woolen, silk and artificial thread based clothes, readymade garments & embroidery, wood/ wooden based furniture, paper & paper products, leather based, chemical/ chemical based, rubber, plastic & petro based, mineral based, metal based, engineering units, electrical machinery & transport equipment's, repairing & servicing. Potential for MSMEs are agro based products, water treatment plants, readymade garments, restaurants, beauty parlour/saloon, ladies boutique etc. Potential for service industry are: transportation, hotels/ restaurants, beauty parlours / saloon, health gym etc.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
Paddy, wheat, sugar cane, potato, maize etc., are the main agricultural crops.
There are some sugar mills in the region which contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran
The district has huge potential for setting up food processing industry packaging industry.
Total cultivable barren land : 3720 hectares
LARGE SCALE INDUSTRY/ PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKING
M/s Rail Wheel Factory at Bela, Chhapra.
M/s Locomotive Manufacturing Unit at Marhaura
Potential Micro & Major Existing Potential Service Small Enterprise Clusters Enterprises •Agro based products • Leather cluster •Transportation. •Water treatment •Hotels/restaurants plants. •Beauty parlours •Readymade garments. /saloon. • Restaurants. •Health gym. • Beauty parlour/saloon. • Ladies’ boutique.
IDENTIFIED CLUSTERS
• Principal products manufactured in the cluster- ladies & gents chappal & nagra shoes. Leather • No. of functional units in the cluster - 68 Cluster • Turnover of the cluster - Rs. 405 lakh per annum. • Employment in cluster – 3300.
Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
•Chhapra station • Nearest airport
connects major •Chhapra is well is Patna, 120 cities and railway km. stations in India. connected by road.
•Hajipur, Sonpur, Road •Marhaura, Airport Railway Dighwara, Ekma, Chhapra, Dighwara, Chhapra Kacheri, Sonepur, Revelganj Chainwa, Daudpur, cities have road Nayagaon are connectivity to other railway major towns and stations in the remote villages. district.
EDUCATION
Saran district has 1265 primary schools, 341 middle schools, 117 high schools, 6 intermediate level colleges, 3 teachers’ training colleges, 1 ITI, 14 colleges, 2 research organizations. Universities in Saran district : Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya.
HERITAGE & TOURISM
Major tourist sites in Saran district Aami: Situated about 28 km east of Chhapra , it is said that Maharaja Daksha and King Surat practised asceticism here. There is an old Durga temple known as Ambasthan. Near the temple there is a garden and a deep perennial well. Sonepur: Situated in the confluence of holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, it was here that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are said to have resolved the fight between Gaj - the elephant and Ghariyal-the crocodile. Internationally famous for Harihar Kshetra Mela held on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, for years Sonepur has been the centre of attraction for domestic and foreign visitors. On the day of Kartik Purnima, an immense crowd assembles and take bath in the rivers. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight. Dhorn Ashram: Many exhibits of archaeological importance can be seen here. The ancient temple of Bhagwan Dhadheswarnath is situated on the bank of river Gandaki in which lies a gigantic Shivling of stone. Gautham Asthan: The ashram of Gautam Rishi is situated 5 km west of Chhapra. It is believed that Ahilya-the stone turned wife of sage Gautam was redeemed of her curse here. Silhauri: This is an important place according to the Shiv Puran and Ram Charitra Manas. It is believed that Lord Indra and Yamraj, the God of death, took a test of king Shivi here. On every Shivratri, a mela is organized here during which the devotes of Baba Shilanath come to pay their obeisances. Chirand: Situated 11 km east of Chhapra, archaeological excavations have revealed for the first time, a four thousand years old developed neo-lithic culture in northern India. Inhabitants of Chirand were engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture and hunting.
Industries Department 2nd Floor, Vikas Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar 800 015
Udyog Mitra, Dept. of Industries Govt. of Bihar Ground Floor, Indira Bhawan, RCS Path, Patna, Bihar 800 001. Tel : +91 612 2532695 Fax : +91 612 2532695 Email: [email protected] www.udyogmitrabihar.com