Category: Places of Interest

BHEL Haridwar

Mar. 04 Places of Interest no comments

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) (BSE: 500103, NSE: BHEL) is one of the oldest and largest state-owned engineering and manufacturing enterprise in India in the energy-related and infrastructure sector which includes Power, Railways, Transmission and Distribution, Oil and Gas sectors and many more[4]. It is the 12th largest power equipment manufacturer in the world[5]. BHEL was established more than 50 years ago, ushering in the indigenous Heavy Electrical Equipment industry in India[6]. The company has been earning profits continuously since 1971-72 and paying dividends since 1976-77[7]. 74% of the total power generated in India is produced by equipment manufactured by BHEL[8].

It is one of India’s nine largest Public Sector Undertakings or PSUs, known as the Navratnas or ‘the nine jewels’ [9]. Bharat heavy Electricals Limited is the 12th largest power EQUIPMENT producer in the world.

 

The town was built in the early 60s, around the Ranipur plant of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) part of Nehruvian dream of “temples of modern India”. It was developed with Russian and Czech technological collaboration, at peak of Indo-Soviet partnership. In an important move in 1964, Indian signed an agreement with the Soviet Union for the supply of Rs. 23 crores worth of equipment by Heavy Electrical Equipment Plants.[1] In the subsequent years, looking at the need for more advanced technology, it tied up with Siemens AG of Germany for the production of high capacity steam turbines and generators.[2] In 1999, the Ranipur plant, reached a turnover of Rs 1100 crore,[3] which reached Rs 2,658 crore for the year 2007-08. The HEEP plant along had over 7,500 employees.[4]

Today BHEL, is one of India’s nine largest Public Sector Undertakings or PSUs, known as the Navratnas or ‘the nine jewels’.[5] The old village of Ranipur still exists at the edge of the township, just at the entrance of Rajaji National Park. As the town developed, schools eventually over 17 and basic infrastructure, including roads, hospitals and community recreational centres was put into place. Soon ancillaries came around the township in surrounding area, led to economic development of the Jwalapur, and the main Haridwar town itself, which till then survived mostly on tourism.

BHEL Haridwar has a campus of 7,000 acres (28 km2), now 2,034 acres (8.23 km2) of which is inhabited by 200 companies like Hero Honda, Maruti, ITC and many more in the nearby SIDCUL (State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarankhand) industrial area. The Integrated Industrial Estate of SIDCUL was an attractive proposition promoted by the Uttarakhand government whereby various financial incentives such as Central Excise duty( 100% for 10 years), Income Tax(100% for 5 years) et al. is being granted.[6] BHEL Haridwar plant itself consists of two plants namely HEEP (Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant) & CFFP (Central Foundry & Forge Plant). CFFP has one of the heaviest forge machines in India.

With Haridwar becoming a district headquarter in 1998, saw new offices were set up near the township in areas surrounding Roshanabad, especially after the formation of Uttarakhand state in 2000.

 

 

About Haridwar

Feb. 27 Places of Interest no comments

According to Hindu belief, Haridwar is the land that was sanctified by the footprints of the Lord. Associated with both Shiva and Vishnu, it is believed to have been the place where Sati (Shiva’s consort) consigned herself to the sacrificial fire. The terrible tandava (dance of destruction) performed by Shiva in grief led to Vishnu dismembering Sati’s body, with the different parts scattering across India. Besides its pre-eminence in Hindu texts, Haridwar other claims to fame is its mention by the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang and its invasion by the plundering troops of Timur Lame.

According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one among the four sites where drops of the elixir of immortality, Amrita, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher, in which it was being carried away by the celestial bird Garuda. These four spots — Ujjain, Haridwar, Nasik, and Allahabad — have today become places, where the Kumbha Mela is celebrated once every 3 years in any of these 4 places and after a period of 12 years, the Maha Kumbha Mela is celebrated on the 12th year at Prayag in Allahabad. Millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate here from all over the world to celebrate the event. They perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganga.

The spot where the nectar fell is considered to be the Brahma Kund at Har-ki-Pauri (literally, “footsteps of the Lord,” and symbolically the footprints of the Amrita), the most sacred ghat of Haridwar; thousands of devotees and pilgrims flock here during festivals or snan from all over India to take a holy dip. This act is considered to be the equivalent of washing away one’s sins to attain Moksha.

The Haridwar district came into existence on 28 December 1988, with the creation of new state of Uttarakhand, and is developing beyond its religious importance, as a major industrial destination of state, with development works of SIDCUL. This city is also well known for many other attractions apart from the holy river Ganges, such as the township of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals India Ltd.) and fast developing Industrial Estate developed by SIDCUL. Haridwar is adjacent to the neighbour district Roorkee known for educational institution IIT Roorkee.

A paradise for nature lovers, Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilisation. The followers of Lord Shiva (Har) and followers of Lord Vishnu (Hari) call this place Hardwar and Haridwar respectively.[citation needed] It is also a point of entry to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham (the four main centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand viz. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri).

Archaeological findings have proved that terra cotta culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region.[citation needed] Though first written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of a Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang, who visited India in 629 AD. [1]

The legendary King Bhagirath is said to have brought the river Ganga down from heaven to earth in order to provide salvation to his ancestors. Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri, where the Holy Ganga touches it at all times.

View of Evening prayers at Hari-ki-pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall) in HaridwarBeing one of the oldest living cities, Haridwar finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as it weaves through the life and time stretching from the period of the Buddha, to the more recent British advent. Haridwar has a rich and ancient religious and cultural heritage. It still has many old havelis and mansions bearing exquisite murals and intricate stonework.

The headworks of the Ganga Canal system are located in Haridwar. The Upper Ganga Canal was opened in 1854 after the work began in 1840, prompted by the famine of 1837-38. The unique feature of the canal is the half-kilometre-long aqueduct over another river at Roorkee, which raises the canal 25 metres above the original river.

Milestone en route HaridwarHaridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit. It has also been a centre of attraction for learning various arts, science, and culture. The city has a long-standing position as a great source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies and is home to the unique Gurukul school of traditional education.

Haridwar already has a temple of modern civilization, BHEL, a ‘Navratna PSU’ to its credit. The Roorkee University at Roorkee, now IIT Roorkee, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes of learning in the fields of science and engineering. Another university of the district, Gurukul Kangri, which has a vast campus, gives traditional education of its own kind.

Many Government administration offices like Lok Sewa Ayog and Sanskrit Academy are established here. Prior to its inclusion in the newly created state of Uttarakhand, this district was a part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary.