Rampurhat | |
|---|---|
City andMunicipality | |
Aerial view of Rampurhat | |
| Coordinates:24°10′N87°47′E / 24.17°N 87.78°E /24.17; 87.78 | |
| Country | |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | Birbhum |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body |
|
| • MP | Satabdi Roy |
| • MLA | Asish Banerjee |
| Area | |
• City andMunicipality | 16.32 km2 (6.30 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 95.79 km2 (36.98 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[3] | |
• City andMunicipality | 57,833 |
| • Density | 3,544/km2 (9,178/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 731224 (Rampurhat Head Post Office) |
| Telephone/STD code | +91-03461 (Rampurhat Telephone Exchange) |
| Vehicle registration | WB45/WB46 (Rampurhat RTO) |
| Lok Sabha constituency | 42, Birbhum |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Rampurhat,Hansan |
| Website | birbhum wbtrda |
| rampurhatmunicipality | |
Rampurhat is acity in theBirbhum district ofWest Bengal,India. It serves as the administrative headquarters ofRampurhat, the most populous subdivision in the Birbhum district. The city is known for its religious significance, its markets, and the area's natural environment. Rampurhat, located near theWest Bengal–Jharkhand border, enjoys excellent connectivity withNational Highway 14 passing through the city andRampurhat Railway Junction being one of the busiest in eastern India.

Rampurhat is located at 24.17 North and 87.78 East.[4]
Rampurhat police station has jurisdiction over Rampurhat municipality andRampurhat I CD Block.[5][6]
The headquarters of Rampurhat I CD block are located at Rampurhat.[7]
The northern portion of Rampurhat subdivision (shown in the map alongside) is part of the Nalhati Plains, a sub-micro physiographic region, and the southern portion is part of the Brahmani-Mayurakshi Basin, another sub-micro physiographic region occupying the area between theBrahmani in the north and theMayurakshi in the south. There is an occasional intrusion ofRajmahal Hills, from adjoiningSanthal Parganas, towards the north-western part of the subdivision. On the western side is Santhal Parganas and the border between West Bengal and Jharkhand can be seen in the map. Murshidabad district is on the eastern side. A small portion of thePadma River and the border with Bangladesh (thick line) can be seen in the north-eastern corner of the map.[8] 96.62% of the population of Rampurhat subdivision live in the rural areas and 3.38% live in the urban areas.[9]
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the area. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
As of the 2011 census Rampurhat had a total population of 57,833, of whom 29,611 were male and 28,222 were female. The literacy rate in Rampurhat city stands at 85.71%, surpassing the state average of 76.26%. Among its residents, the male literacy rate is approximately 90.36%, while the female literacy rate is 80.86%. Scheduled Castes (SC) are 23.69% of the population, and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are 1.95%.[3]
Rampurhat, with "hat" signifying a marketplace, serves as a central hub for local trade and commerce in the region. The principal economic activities are outlined as follows:
Stone quarries and crushing industries
The city is known for its stone quarries and crushing industries, which are vital to the local economy by supplying construction materials and providing jobs, especially for workers in the unorganized sector. This industrial belt employs people fromBirbhum District andSanthal Pargana, with around 350 crushers operating in the area. It plays a key role in supplying stone chips throughoutWest Bengal. Despite its economic benefits, these industries pose environmental concerns, including air pollution and health risks such as Silicosis for workers. On a positive note, the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner in Rampurhat plays a key role in protecting the legal rights of workers, particularly those in the unorganized sector in stone quarries and crushing industries.
Industrial Park
An industrial park for light industries is planned at Barsal mouza, located along NH-14, within the Rampurhat Urban Node. This project is proposed under Phase I of theTRDA’s development plan.
Agriculture and livestock
Agriculture drives the local economy, with rice, wheat, mustard, and vegetables as the primary crops. Seasonal farming and livestock activities play a significant role in supporting the livelihoods of the rural community. Livestock farming, including the rearing of cattle, goats, and poultry, contributes to both income and the overall economy of the area.
Banking
The city has several nationalized and private banks to support economic growth, including State Bank of India, Union Bank, and Central Bank of India. The Birbhum District Cooperative Bank Ltd. is the oldest bank and plays a role in the success story of the city.
The healthcare sector and tourism also represent key economic drivers in the region.
Rampurhat is mainly known for its historical significance, being a major center of several ancient temples, making it a popular destination for tourists and history. Hundreds of hotels were established there for people with religious interest.
Tarabitan Tourism Property, situated in Rampurhat near the Circuit House, is a premier 3-star tourist lodge managed by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDCL) under the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. It is involved in promoting tourism in the city.
Rampurhat New Town, Rangamati Park and Gandhi Park is another popular local attraction, providing a recreational area especially for children.
The Rampurhat Municipality is responsible for managing all the civic services in the city, ensuring smooth functioning and maintenance. It is structured into 18 distinct wards, each playing a role in organizing and addressing local needs and concerns within the city. TheTarapith Rampurhat Development Authority is a government agency functioning under the Department of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in the city by introducing modern facilities and upgrading the infrastructure for the benefit of the residents.
Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (RPHGMCH) is the only and largest tertiary referral government medical institution inBirbhum district. It was upgraded from Rampurhat District Hospital in 2018. The facility features 21 departments and accommodates 626 beds. A 150-bed Mother and Child Hub is currently under construction at the hospital. The Nabarun Urban Health Centre, located at Gandhi Park, provides healthcare services to the residents of Rampurhat city.
The city has many private nursing homes and diagnostic centers, making it an important healthcare hub for the district and theSanthal Pargana region.
| Category | Block | Hospital Name | Post Office | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Health Centre | Rampurhat-I | Kastagora PHC | Kastagora | 6 |
| Baidara PHC | Haridaspur | 10 | ||
| Udaypur PHC | Dekhuria | 6 | ||
| Narayanpur PHC | Narayanpur | 10 | ||
| Rampurhat-II | Tarapur PHC | Tarapur | 6 | |
| Margram PHC | Margram | 10 | ||
| Dunigram PHC | Dunigram | 6 | ||
| Block Primary Health Centre | Rampurhat-I | Chakmandala BPHC | Chakmandala | 15 |
| Rural Hospital | Rampurhat-II | Baswa RH | Baswa | 30 |
| Urban Primary Health Centre | - | Nabarun UPHC(Near Gandhi Park) | Rampurhat | 30 |
| Govt. Medical College & Hospital | - | Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital (RPHGMCH) | Rampurhat | 626 |
| Veterinary Hospital | - | Rampurhat Veterinary Hospital(at Dakbangla Para) | Rampurhat | - |
Rampurhat has a rich tradition of cultural activities, including fairs , circuses and entertainment events for which it is referred to as the“Entertainment Hub of Birbhum”.A number of schools teach music, dance, recitation and drama. Every year during Dol Utsab, a big programme is arranged at Netaji Subhas Muktomancha, involving multiple cultural performance groups. Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated in the town participated by many cultural groups from different localities. During Saraswati Puja, cultural programmes are organized in the schools. The local tribal people, mostly Santhals, frequently arrange for programmes representing their cultural aspects.
Rampurhat is celebrated for its signature dessert,ras malai, known for its rich, creamy texture and delightful taste. Over time, it has earned a special place in the culinary traditions of the region, gaining popularity and recognition throughout the state.
| Mode of Transport | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadway | SBSTC Bus Depot | The city enjoys excellent connectivity through majornational highways, includingNH 14 andNH 114A. There is aSouth Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) bus depot in the city, providing daily government-run bus services to major destinations acrossWest Bengal. The journey from Rampurhat toKolkata (Esplanade), viaTarapith, Kuli, Futisanko, andBurdwan, takes around 4.5 to 5 hours.These services provide seamless connectivity from Rampurhat to numerous key locations, such asEsplanade,Karunamoyee,Siliguri,Asansol,Durgapur,Balurghat,Berhampore,Krishnanagar,Malda,Raiganj,Lalgola,Bankura,Purulia,Arambagh,Dankuni,Haldia,Jhargram,Falta,Barasat,Garia,Kalyani,Habra, and several other important destinations. Lotus Press More Bus Stand serves as a key stop for all long-routeSBSTC, NBSTC &WBTC buses, ensuring convenient access to the city. |
| Rampurhat New Bus Stand & Terminus | It is located adjacent to theSBSTC Depot, serves as a vital hub connecting various parts of theRampurhat subdivision, includingRajgram,Jajigram,Lohapur,Nalhati andMurarai. It also facilitates travel to other major cities/towns within the region, such asSiuri,Asansol,Durgapur,Kandi,Jangipur,Berhampore,Katwa, andNabadwip. It is operated by private bus owners. | |
| Inter-State Bus Terminus | It is located near Choi phuko atRampurhat Junction. The terminal offers hourly bus services throughout the day to destinations such asSikaripara,Dumka,Deoghar andJasidih. It plays a vital role in improving railway accessibility for theSanthal Parganas region. Private bus operators manage its operations. | |
| Rickshaws | E-rickshaws (toto) are a convenient and popular option for traveling around different parts of the city, and paddle rickshaws are also available for those who prefer them. Auto rickshaws are also available, primarily serving as transportation to popular tourist spots such asTarapith. | |
| Railway | Rampurhat Junction railway station is the seventh busiest railway stations ofEastern Railway zone and it is the largest and busiest railway station ofBirbhum district ofWest Bengal. It is a NSG-3 Category and Class A station. The station is underHowrah railway division is the third busiest station in this division. It is 207 kilometres (shortest route) away fromHowrah Junction. Many mail, express, superfast, passenger and MEMU trains pass through and originate from theRampurhat Junction railway station. Train service are available from Rampurhat to Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Jalpaiguri, Agartala, Guwahati, Delhi, Surat, Dhanbad, Patna, Ranchi, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar, Ernakulam etc. The junction connects Rampurhat withDumka - Deoghar - Jasidih. | |
| Airway | Rampurhat Helipad was constructed to provide helicopter services and promote tourism in the area.Indian Air Force's Rampurhat Airbase Station is situated at Surichua near theJharkhand -Bengal border of the city.[12] It is administered by theMinistry of Defense under theGovernment of India. This airbase is being included under theUDAN RCS 4.0 scheme to operate as a public and commercial airport, enabling regular public transportation services.The nearest domestic airport isKazi Nazrul Islam Airport, 87 km away, whileDeoghar Airport is 135 km from the city. TheNetaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport inKolkata is the closest airport for international travel. | |
To enhance intra-regional mobility in Rampurhat city, plans have been made for the development of aRing Road encircling the Rampurhat urban node, stretching from Barsal mouza in the south to Batail mouza in the north, designed to bypass regional traffic along theKharagpur–Morgram Highway. As part of this initiative, a bypass road is also proposed from Barsal mouza to Nischintapur in the west to ease congestion and divert traffic fromDumka Road. A new road from Batail mouza to Dumka Road ( Suricua Air Base) through Boro Pharai, Chakaipur and Kusumba has also been constructed as part of the proposed ring road plan. All roads included in thisring road project are planned to have a uniform width of 30 metres.
Rampurhat has a delivery head post office, with PIN 731224. Non-delivery sub offices with the same PIN are Mahajanpatty PO, Nischintapur PO and Railpar Birbhum PO.[13]
The post office offers banking services along with an ATM. It also functions as aPassport Seva Kendra.
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