Durgapur (/ˈdʊrɡəpɔːr/) is a major industrial city and a planned urban agglomeration in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Durgapur, a city nestled in the Indian state of West Bengal, holds within its boundaries a rich tapestry of history that dates back centuries.

There are several historically and religiously significant monuments such as Rarheshwar Mandir, Ichhai Ghoser Deul and Bhabani Pathak’s Tilla.

The evolution of this industrially significant city is intertwined with a compelling historical narrative that has shaped its identity and character.

The present industrialization and habitat expansion has not only adversely affected the dense green cover and ecology of the region but also arguably to a great extent buried archaeological evidences and overshadowed much of its early history.

Stone hunting equipment used by hunters from the prehistoric period has been excavated from Durgapur which shows that the history of this place dates back to around 5000 BC.

[9] The Damodar-Ajay River Valley witnessed the growth of settled life simultaneously during the Harappa-Mohenjo Daro civilization.

[10] Archaeological findings from Durgapur suggest historical evidence dating from the Mauryan and Gupta periods.

The Damodar River, a witness to the city’s ancient past, hosted traders from distant lands, leaving imprints in the archaeological landscape.

[10] Around 1765, Gopinath Chattopadhyay secured a lease for a portion of Jangalmahal (now part of Durgapur) from the Maharaja of Bardhaman.

His descendant, Durgacharan Chattopadhyay, continued the effort and established a new colony in the present Sagarbhanga region of Durgapur.

In 1855, when the East India Company laid the railway line between Bardhaman and Andal, the station was named Durgapur, a tribute to Durgacharan’s efforts by the local community.

This marked the formalization of the name ‘Durgapur,’ gaining significance as a railway hub in the country.

Following India’s independence in 1947, Durgapur underwent a remarkable metamorphosis under the visionary leadership of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal.

The city was chosen as the site for the second integrated steel plant in India, setting the stage for rapid industrialization and urbanization.

This pivotal decision catapulted Durgapur into the forefront of India’s industrial landscape, fostering economic growth and employment opportunities.

[4] Durgapur Municipal Corporation included and 3 census towns: Bamunara, Arra, and partly Andal.

Mining and Allied Machinery Corporation (MAMC) was established in 1964 with the help and support from USSR (now closed but reviving with J.V of Bharat Earth Movers, Coal India & DVC).

[19] Hindustan Fertilisers Corporation (HFC) was a major PSU which produced fertilizer but got closed down (now RCF showed interest to reopen it).

Although not closed, but the Government of West Bengal decided to disinvest in DCL in 2016 as it had increasingly become a sick industry.

Major Indian and international MNCs have their production facilities in Durgapur which includes GE Power India Limited (formerly ACC Babcock Limited which was later taken over by Alstom), Scania and Komatsu (in partnership with Larsen & Toubro), Philips Carbon Black, Sankey Wheels (a unit of GKW), Birla Cement (earlier Durgapur Cement Ltd.), Graphite India Limited, etc.

The Government of West Bengal's Webel IT Park houses some of well known as well as startup software companies generating employment opportunities for the youth of the region.

Durgapur is a gateway to the districts of Bankura, Birbhum (Bolpur, Rampurhat, Suri), and Purulia.

The AH1 links Japan with Turkey, through Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Various private and government buses ranging from sleepers to premium Volvos are available from City Center Bus Terminus and Station Bus Terminus for Kolkata, Asansol, Barddhaman, Barakar, Bhubaneswar, Digha, and other nearby cities.

Private buses are available for Asansol, Barakar, Bardhaman, Bolpur, Bishnupur, Chittaranjan, Deoghar, Digha, Illambazar, Jhargram, Kalna, Katwa, Kharagpur, Krishnanagar, Medinipur, Nabadwip, Nalhati, Purulia, Rampurhat, Siuri, Tatanagar, Tarakeswar, etc..

It is located at a place called Andal which is roughly 15 kilometres from Durgapur's City Center Bus Terminus.

[22] The airport has direct flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Siliguri, Guwahati, which are operated by IndiGo and Spicejet.

Summers are extremely hot and dry, lasting from March to the middle of June, with average daily temperatures exceeding 45 °C.