AmitNeogi at 14:29, 11 March 2026

2026-03-11T14:29:48Z

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{{Short description|Metropolis in Chhattisgarh}}
{{Distinguish|Bidadi}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bhilai
| native_name = 
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[Metropolis]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style =
| perrow = 1/2/2/2
| image1 = Kumaragupta (Library and ITIS).jpg
| caption1 = [[IIT Bhilai|Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai]]
| image2 = बीआईटी प्रशासनिक भवन.jpg
| caption2 = [[Bhilai Institute of Technology]]
| image3 = Csvtu.jpg
| caption3 = [[Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University]]
| image4 =
| caption4 = Surya treasure Island Mall
| image5 =
| caption5 = SAIL office Bhilai
| image6 = The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicates the Modernised and Expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the Nation, in Chhattisgarh on June 14, 2018. The Union Minister for Steel, Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh is also seen.JPG
| caption6 = [[Bhilai Steel Plant]]
| image7 =
| caption7 = Bhilai power house
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname = Steel City of India
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Chhattisgarh#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|21.21|N|81.38|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Chhattisgarh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Durg]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| government_type = [[Municipal corporation]]
| governing_body =
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Neeraj Pal
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Bhilai City|url=http://www.bhilainagarnigam.com/PB.pdf}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 357
| area_rank = 1st in state
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 297
| population_total = 624700
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Bhilai City Population|date=21 October 2020 |url=https://www.findeasy.in/population-of-bhilai/}}</ref><ref name=population/>
| population_metro = 1064222
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012 }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank = 2nd in state, 50th in India
| population_blank1_title = Metro rank
| population_blank1 = [[List of million-plus agglomerations in India|50th]]
| population_demonym =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 490XXX
| registration_plate = CG-07
| website = [http://www.bhilainagarnigam.com/ www.bhilainagarnigam.com]
| footnotes =
| named_for = [[Bhil]]s
}}
'''Bhilai''' is a city in [[Durg district]] of the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Chhattisgarh]], in eastern central India. Along with its twin-city [[Durg]], the urban agglomeration of Durg-Bhilai Nagar has a population of more than a million, making it the [[List of urban agglomerations in India|second most populous urban area in Chhattisgarh]] after [[Raipur]]. The Bhilai metropolis contains three municipal corporations: Bhilai Municipal Corporation, [[Bhilai Charoda]] Municipal Corporation and Risali Municipal Corporation.<ref name=population>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070607194126/http://www.censusindia.net/results/data/chh_uatowns.PDF Census van 1 maart 2001 (via archive.org)]</ref>

Bhilai is a major industrial and educational hub of central India. The city is home to several industries like [[Bhilai Steel Plant]], [[Jaypee Group|Jaypee Cement]], [[CK Birla Group|Orient Cement]], [[NSPCL Bhilai Power Plant]], [[Steel Authority of India]], FSNL and [[ACC (company)|ACC Cement]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industries in Bhilai, Industrial Development in Bhilai |url=https://www.bhilaionline.in/city-guide/industries-in-bhilai |website=www.bhilaionline.in |access-date=5 December 2023}}</ref> The city is home to the [[IIT Bhilai|Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai]], as well as the [[Bhilai Institute of Technology]]. Risali is an emerging hub with its own municipal corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Risali municipal corporation notification|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/chhattisgarh/bhilaidurg/news/notification-issued-risali-municipal-corporation-bhilai-corporation-now-number-4-in-state-01691863.html|website=www.bhaskar.com |access-date= 2 August 2025}}</ref>
The city also has the state's oldest zoo, [[Maitri Bagh]].

== Etymology ==
The term ''Bhilai'' is derived from the [[Bhil people|Bhil]] tribe which originally inhabited this region and continues to dwell in the nearby forests until today.<ref name="bhilaionline1">{{cite web|title = History of Bhilai, Historical Aspects of Bhilai, Origin of Bhilai|url = http://www.bhilaionline.in/city-guide/history-of-bhilai|website = www.bhilaionline.in|access-date = 22 December 2015}}</ref>

== History ==
Bhilai was a small village and a part of the [[Haihaiyavansi Kingdom]] until 1740 when it was conquered by the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]].

The foundation of the modern city of Bhilai was laid in 1955 when the Indian government signed a historic agreement with the [[Soviet Union]] in [[Magnitogorsk]] to establish a steel plant near the village. The first blast furnace of the plant was commissioned in 1959 by the first president of India, [[Rajendra Prasad|Dr. Rajendra Prasad]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/economics/2014/08/22/bhilai_steel_plant_chhattisgarhs_icon_of_indo-russian_cooperation_37741|title=Bhilai Steel Plant: Chhattisgarh's icon of Indo-Russian cooperation|last1=Katz|first1=Alexandra|last2=RIR|first2=specially for|date=22 August 2014|website=www.rbth.com|language=en-US|access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>

=== Urban administration and governance ===
'''Pre-1973:'''

Before the establishment of the Special Area Development Authority in 1973, civic administration and urban services in Bhilai were largely associated with the [[Bhilai Steel Plant|Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP)]], which developed and maintained the township as an industrial town. Independent municipal governance structures were not formally constituted during this period.

'''1973–1998 (SADA period):'''

In 1973, the Special Area Development Authority (SADA) was established to separate urban governance from the administrative control of BSP. An agreement concluded in 1977 defined the jurisdictional boundaries and taxation powers of SADA. Subsequently, in 1978, BSP transferred approximately 1,920 acres of land to SADA to facilitate municipal administration and planned urban development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai vs Special Area Development Authority, Bhilai and Others |url=https://www.the-laws.com/Encyclopedia/Browse/Case?caseId=411991040000&title=bhilai-steel-plant-bhilai-vs-special-area-development-authority-bhilai}}</ref>

'''1998–present (Municipal Corporation):'''

In 1998, Bhilai was constituted as a Municipal Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment to the Constitution of India. All administrative functions, assets, and responsibilities of SADA were transferred to an elected urban local body. This marked a significant transition from company-managed administration to democratic municipal governance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhilai Municipal Corporation |url=https://www.bhilaionline.in/guide/administration-in-bhilai}}</ref>

As per the [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]], the Bhilai Municipal Corporation reported a revenue of ₹237 crore (US$28 million) and an expenditure of ₹162 crore (US$19 million) in 2022–23. Taxes contributed to 25.7% of the revenue, while the corporation received ₹70 crore in grants during the year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhilai Municipal Corporation city finance |url=https://www.cityfinance.in/municipal-data/city/bhilai
|work=Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India |access-date=11 March 2026}}</ref>

== Demographics ==

=== Population ===
In the 2011 census, [[Durg]]-Bhilainagar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 1,064,222, of which 545,916 are males and 518,306 are females. Bhilai has an average literacy rate of 86.63%, with male literacy at 92.22% and female literacy at 80.71%.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 100,000 and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122151653/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2020}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Bhilai lies at 21.21°N 81.38°E in [[Central India]] at an elevation of 297m above [[sea level]] on the banks of the [[Shivnath River|Shivnath river]], a tributary of the river [[Mahanadi]]. It covers an area of 341 km<sup>2</sup> (132 sq mi).

According to the [[Bureau of Indian Standards]], the town falls under [[Earthquake zones of India|seismic zone 2]], in a scale of 2 to 5 (in order of increasing value of vulnerability to earthquakes).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=168661|title=Seismic Zones|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>

== Climate ==
Owing to its proximity to the [[Tropic of Cancer]], Bhilai has a tropical climate. There are three main seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. The average annual temperature in Bhilai is 26.6 °C and the city receives an average rainfall of 1188 mm in a year. Summers usually last from May to June, followed by monsoons in July and August. The town receives the bulk of rainfall in July, with an average rainfall of 352mm. There is little rainfall during the winters, with November being the driest month of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/chhattisgarh/bhilai-993488/|title=Bhilai climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Bhilai weather averages - Climate-Data.org|website=en.climate-data.org|access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>

Durg Bhilai has been ranked 29th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>

==Economy==
Bhilai is home to the [[Bhilai Steel Plant]], the first and largest Indian plant to produce steel rails. The inauguration of the first blast furnace of Bhilai Steel Plant was done by then president of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, which was established with help from the [[Soviet Union]] in 1955.<ref name="zee">{{cite news |publisher=[[Zee News]] |url=http://zeenews.india.com/india/after-road-show-pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-modernized-and-expanded-bhilai-steel-plant-2116501.html |title=After roadshow, PM Narendra Modi inaugurates modernized and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant |date=14 June 2018}}</ref>

Iron ore from Rawghat, limestone from Nandini, coal from Jharia, manganese from Balaghat, electric power from the Korba thermal power plant, and water from the Tandula Canal, all nearby, are used in the Bhilai Steel Plant to manufacture rails and structural steel. Pig iron and billets are supplied to foundries and rolling mills located at Kumhari and other sites in central India.

The number of steel rails produced by the facility till 2007 can go around the circumference of the earth 7.5 times. This is depicted on the monument at the globe square in the heart of the city. The facility underwent modernisation and expansion and is amongst the leading manufacturers of iron and steel in Asia.<ref name="zee"/>

== Education ==

The city serves as an educational hub in the region, with a total of 59 universities and colleges, like [[Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai|Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai]], [[Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University]], [[Bhilai Institute of Technology]], [[Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[CCM Medical College, Durg|Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Government Medical College]], [[Rungta College Bhilai]], and [[Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus]], [[Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya|Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya Durg]], [[Hemchand Yadav Vishwavidyalaya]].

Schools in Bhilai are run either by municipal corporations or privately by entities, trusts, and corporations. The majority of schools are affiliated with the [[Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education]] and the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]].

==Transport==
===Roadways===
The twin city of Durg-Bhilai is well connected with a network of national and state highways. Some major highways passing through the city are [[National Highway 53 (India)|National Highway 53]] (NH-53), SH-7 till [[Bemetara]] and SH-22 till [[Abhanpur]]. The proposed [[Durg–Raipur–Arang Expressway]] will start from Durg and will pass near the outskirts of Bhilai till [[Arang]], which after completion, will enhance connectivity and commute in the state.

===Rail===
There are total 15 railway stations in the twin city that includes railway stations serving adjacent and minor neighbourhoods within the city. The main stations are [[Bhilai Power House railway station]] and [[Durg Junction railway station]], which are major railway stations, with Durg being the biggest and the busiest, lying on the [[Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line]].

===Bus transport===
The Durg Bus Station is a hub with buses plying to any place in and around Chhattisgarh as well as other parts of the country, with daily bus services operated by private and government buses to all cities within the state and outside the state, like [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Nagpur]], [[Jharsuguda]], [[Varanasi]], [[Prayagraj]], [[Kolkata]], [[Patna]], [[Ranchi]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Jabalpur]], [[Visakhapatnam]], among others.

===Metro===
A [[light rail]], Metrolite or Lite Metro (as referred in India), has been proposed by the [[Government of Chhattisgarh]], which will pass from [[Naya Raipur]] to Durg via [[Raipur]] and Bhilai.<ref>{{cite news|title=Monthly Allowance To Unemployed Youth, Focus On Metro, Sports & Infra: CM Baghel Tabels Chhattisgarh Budget|url=https://news.abplive.com/states/chhattisgarh-budget-2023-announcement-for-health-education-agriculture-budget-highlights-cm-bhupesh-baghel-1586508|work=[[ABP News]]|date=6 March 2023|access-date=9 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

===Air===
The nearest major airport is [[Swami Vivekananda International Airport]] at Raipur, located {{cvt|50|km}} east from Bhilai. The airport at [[Bhilai Airport|Bhilai]] is currently a private airport operated by the [[Bhilai Steel Plant]], located {{cvt|15|km}} north of the city. In recent years, it has been considered for the airport to be developed to handle commercial operations, and make it a domestic airport.

==Notable people==


* [[Teejan Bai]], Pandvani singer
* [[Anurag Basu]], Bollywood director
* [[Anupama Bhagwat]], sitar player
* [[Rajesh Chauhan]], a former cricketer in the Indian cricket team
* [[Budhaditya Mukherjee]], [[sitar]] player
* [[Amit Sana]], runner-up in ''Indian Idol 1''
* [[Tejal Shah]] (born 1979), visual artist, curator
* [[Shashank Singh]], Indian cricketer
* [[Krishnamurthy Subramanian]], 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India
* [[Devendra Yadav]], MLA Bhilai Nagar and former mayor of Bhilai

== See also ==
* [[List of cities in Chhattisgarh by population]]
* [[Chhattisgarh]]
* [[Largest Indian cities by GDP]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

{{Chhattisgarh}}
{{Durg district}}
{{Million-plus cities in India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bhilai| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan cities in India]]
[[Category:Company towns in India]]
[[Category:Planned communities in India]]

Bhilai - Revision history

AmitNeogi at 14:29, 11 March 2026