Patratu

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Patratu had a population of 32,132. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Patratu has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 61%. In Patratu, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Patratu Dam

The dam was made to store water of Nalkari River; this is the main attraction of Patratu. One can see flying fishes during sunrise by sitting at the coast of the Dam. Very few people know there is a tunnel below the dam which connects two villages of Patratu named Labga and Hariharpur. Due to security reasons it has been closed for everyone.

Boating has been started from 14 January 2010 on dam. There are 4 boats which have been purchased. The Patratu dam, 30 km from Ramgarh and 35 km from Ranchi, supplies water to Ramgarh cantonment area as well as the main reservoir of Patratu Thermal Power Plant (PTPS). The dam has huge capacity and if given a facelift, would definitely attract tourists from different areas. The first step would be to woo tourists from the state, and once all the facilities were in place, to attract tourists from the rest of the country. The blueprint includes a restaurant on the island as well as a park and amusement corner for the visitors.

Patratu valley

Flanked by hills covered with lush green trees, red and violet flowers and honey bees humming, the Pithouria-Patratu Valley is no less attractive than the valleys on the Gangtok-Nathula,Dehradun-Mussouri and Raxaul-Kathmandu roads in terms of natural elegance. Of course, the hills along the Pithouria-Patratu stretch are devoid of snow, unlike the ones on Gangtok-Nathula. But green saal, sakhuwa and bamboos with flowers, in a riot of colours, more than make up for the absence of snow. The jingle-jangle of waterfalls and rivulets rushing through the stones, soothed the ears, and eyes, even more than any maestro?s music. there were several groups carrying coal on their cycles and struggling to reach Ranchi to sell the goods. They had probably loaded their bicycles at Patratu Mines and were peddling their way through the intricate turns and bends of the valley. During recent changes, these coal pulling bicycles has got support of local motor bikers on profit sharing basis.

Patratu Thermal Power Station

The attraction of this city is its natural habitat and scenic beauty. The city is developed as a residential area for employees of Patratu Thermal Power Station. This thermal power station was made by Russian collaboration in 1962 and has two chimneys made by Russian firm which are called Russian side and the other two chimneys are made by Indian firm so it is called Indian side. The plant has a power generation capacity of 840MW.

NTPCs plan to take control of Jharkhand State Electricity Boards Patratu thermal power station near Ranchi, hanging for a long time, is believed to have made some headway as the decision in this regard is likely to be firmed up shortly, according to informed sources. Under the new arrangement being planned for the revival of the ailing plant, a 75:25 joint venture with NTPC holding the majority stake might be formed, the sources inform. NTPC had earlier mooted the proposal for total takeover of the States oldest 840 MW thermal power station operating at 10-15 per cent capacity. However, the PTPS workers resisted it. When contacted, an NTPC official confirmed that the company was “in discussion” with the Jharkhand Government exploring the possibility of taking over the management control of Patratu power station. “Various options are under discussion. However, a decision in this regard is still awaited,” the official said. Comments were not available from the power department of Jharkhand. It may be noted that NTPC has been considering taking over the ailing PTPS for nearly three years now. However, only in mid-2009 did it conduct the due diligence. According to the JSEB(Jharkhand state electricity board) Web site, Patratu has six Russian units of 36 to 42 years old and four BHEL manufactured units of 26–31 years old.

S. S High School Patratu

S.S High School was established on 1 January 1963. It is 10+2 school with large area and big playground .

Jindal steel and power plant Patratu

carrying on with its plans of expansion, JSPL plans to invest US $6.00 billion (Rs. 30,000 Crore) in the state of Jharkhand for establishing a steel plant of capacity 11 MTPA and captive power plant with production capacity of 2600 MW in phases.

The company is setting up a 6.0 million TPA steel plant and 1609 MW captive power plant (CPP) at Patratu and it plans to set up a 5.0 MTPA steel plant and a 1000 MW CPP at Asanboni.

At Patratu JSPL has taken over the assets of the closed Bihar Alloys & Steel Limited, which is about 40 km from Ranchi. Using the available land and adding some more, the company is setting up new steel and power plants. This endeavour would provide gainful employment to a large number of people and aid in economic and infrastructure development of the area.

Social Endeavours at Patratu

(1)Adopted 7 villages such as Balkudra, Kurse, Dewaria, Gegda, Rasda, Labga, Jainagar .
(2)Many projects undertaken in adjoining villages for up gradation of basic services such as sanitation, healthcare, education, plantation of trees, building of roads, etc.
(3)OP Jindal Institute of Technology and Skills established to train local youths under Modular Employment Schemes (welder, electrician & MMV).
(4)Renovated several schools and distributed books & furniture. JSPL runs evening coaching centers and adult education classes.
(5)Set up regular health check-up camps in villages by specialist doctors & specialized camp for cataract eye operation.
(6)Participation in government schemes such as Pulse Polio Vaccination Campaign, AIDS awareness and diarrhea control campaigns.
(7)Mega camps for livestock vaccination, de-worming & dehorning and distribution of medicines & vitamins.

"Political Environment in Patratu"

This area in spite of all its beautiful habitat is considered to be deeply affected by the Naxalite influence. As during the 2010 Jharkhand state election this was voted as a sensitive area termed as one of the Seven most dangerous places in Jharkhand. Area is majorly influenced by "AJSU" party who are raising the issues of non-tranfer of PTPS to NTPC and raising voice against national parties for the non development of the area.

this area is still very sensitive and there were some agitation regarding growing influence of Private organisation in the area about the land acquisition. Issues should be taken at priority as private investment with proper regulation can be the only possible solution to take this place on path to prosperity