Jharkhand, one of India’s richest states in terms of mineral resources, is rapidly transforming into a robust industrial powerhouse. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of Jharkhand’s industrial landscape, highlighting key public and private sector units, including steel plants, cement factories, fertilizer industries, glass and ceramic units, and sponge iron industries spread across districts like Dhanbad, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and Ramgarh. From government-backed institutions like Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers to private giants like Tata Steel and Usha Martin, Jharkhand hosts a diversified economy supported by its vast natural wealth and strategic policy planning. Additionally, the blog delves into the thriving handicraft and handloom sectors, major economic surveys, industrial rankings, dedicated freight corridors, and the emergence of specialized hubs like the Plastic Park in Deoghar and Electronic Manufacturing Cluster in Adityapur. Whether you are a UPSC/JPSC aspirant, policymaker, investor, or student of economics, this detailed insight into Jharkhand’s economic ecosystem will help you understand how mineral wealth, industrialization, and skilled manpower are shaping the state’s future.
1. Iron and Steel Industry in Jharkhand
(a) Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) – Now Tata Steel
Established on 26 August 1907 by Dorabji Tata at Sakchi (Jamshedpur).
Jamshedji Tata, the visionary founder of the Tata Group, conceptualized the plant but passed away in 1904.
First iron production in 1911, and first steel production in 1912.
Renamed as Tata Steel in 2005.
Tata Steel is India’s first and largest Iron & Steel plant.
Headquarters: Mumbai.
Located at the confluence of Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers in East Singhbhum district.
Export Route: Finished products like Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, and Galvanized Rolled steel are exported via Kolkata port.
Raw Material Sources for Tata Steel:
Coking Coal: Raniganj (West Bengal) and Jharia (Dhanbad)
Manganese & Chromite: Chaibasa (West Singhbhum)
Limestone: Sundergarh (Odisha)
Iron Ore: Mayurbhanj (Odisha) and Noamundi (West Singhbhum)
Associated Tata Companies in Jharkhand:
Company
Year
Location
Product
Important Notes
The Tinplate Company of India Ltd.
1920
Jamshedpur
Tinplate
Subsidiary of Tata Steel
Tata Pigments
1927
Jamshedpur
Iron Oxide
Formerly Tata Nagar Chemicals Ltd.; renamed in 1985
TELCO (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co.)
1945
Jamshedpur
Vehicles
Now Tata Motors since 2003; India’s largest automobile maker
TRF Ltd. (Tata Robbins Fraser)
1962
Jamshedpur
Industrial Machinery
Technical collaboration with USA & UK firms
TAYO Rolls Ltd.
1968
Jamshedpur
Cast Rolls
Formerly Tata Yodogawa; became Tata Steel subsidiary in 2008
Important: In 1945, Tata Group expanded by setting up TELCO in Jamshedpur.
Jamshedpur Naming Fact:
Lord Chelmsford, the then Viceroy of India, renamed Sakchi as Jamshedpur and its railway station as Tatanagar.
(b) Bokaro Steel Plant
Established on 29 January 1964 during the Third Five-Year Plan.
Located in Marafari, Bokaro, Jharkhand.
Operated by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
India’s first indigenous steel plant.
First blast furnace was fired on 2 October 1972.
Production began in 1974 and by 26 February 1978, it had produced 1.7 million tonnes of ingot steel.
Fourth largest steel plant in India.
Built with technical support from the Soviet Union (USSR).
Located near the Damodar River Valley, close to Tenughat and Garga Dams.
Raw Material Sources for Bokaro Steel Plant:
Coking Coal: Jharia (Dhanbad)
Iron Ore: Keonjhar (Odisha)
Limestone: Madhya Pradesh
2. Copper Industry in Jharkhand
Ghatshila Copper Plant – First Copper Industry of India
Established in 1924 at Ghatshila (East Singhbhum), Jharkhand.
India’s first copper industry.
Copper ore is transported via ropeway from mines to Moubhandar (East Singhbhum) for refining.
Key Copper Companies:
Indian Copper Corporation (ICC):
Established in 1930 near Ghatshila.
Major copper refining center.
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) – Major national copper production company.
Indian Cable Company Ltd. – Located in Jamshedpur.
Important Copper Ore Locations in Jharkhand:
Jadugoda (East Singhbhum)
Gur Mahisani (Odisha)
Sulepat (Odisha)
Important Exam-Oriented Facts:
Tata Steel = First and Largest Iron-Steel Plant of India
Bokaro Steel = First Indigenous Steel Plant of India
Ghatshila = India’s First Copper Industry Location
TISCO (Now Tata Steel) founded in 1907 by Dorabji Tata
Tata Group = Founded in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata
Tata Motors = Renamed from TELCO in 2003
TATA Steel exports via Kolkata Port
Lord Chelmsford renamed Sakchi to Jamshedpur
3. Aluminium Industry in Jharkhand
Jharkhand contributes 16% of India’s total aluminium ore (alumina) production.
The Indian Aluminium Company Limited established an aluminium plant in Muri (Ranchi) in 1948.
Since 2005, this company has been owned by Hindalco Industries (Aditya Birla Group).
It is India’s second oldest and second largest aluminium plant.
The plant sources bauxite from Lohardaga and Palamu districts.
After converting bauxite to alumina, it is sent to factories in Alupuram and Alwaye (Kerala), Belur (Kolkata), and Lote (Mumbai).
Uses of aluminium: utensils, electric wires, motors, rail coaches, and aircrafts.
4. Cement Industry in Jharkhand
Abundant limestone reserves make Jharkhand a favorable region for cement industry growth.
First cement plant in Jharkhand was established at Japla (Palamu) in 1921.
Major cement-producing areas:
Japla (Palamu)
Jhinkpani (West Singhbhum)
Khalari (Ranchi)
Sindri (Dhanbad)
Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum)
Domatand (Hazaribagh)
Slag and sludge, by-products from iron-steel plants, are used in cement manufacturing in Sindri, Bokaro, Jhinkpani, and Jamshedpur.
Lafarge Cement Plants in Jhinkpani and Jamshedpur are based on iron-steel waste.
Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (AIADA)
Seraikela-Kharsawan, East & West Singhbhum
Kolhan
4
Santhal Pargana Industrial Area Development Authority (SPIADA)
Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahebganj, Godda
Santhal Pargana
Major Industries and Companies in Jharkhand
Sr. No.
Company Name
Industry Type
Location
Ownership
1
Tata Steel (TISCO)
Steel
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
2
Tata Yodogawa
Steel
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
3
Tata Motors (TELCO)
Automobiles
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
4
Tata Timken
Roller Bearings
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
5
Tata Pigments
Lead Oxide
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
6
Tin Plate
Tin Sheets
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
7
TRF
Industrial Machines
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
8
Agrico
Agricultural Equipment
Jamshedpur
Tata Group
9
Bokaro Steel Ltd.
Steel
Bokaro
Central Govt.
10
CCL (Central Coalfields)
Coal
Ranchi
Central Govt.
11
ECL (Eastern Coalfields)
Coal
Santhal Pargana
Central Govt.
12
BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal)
Coal
Dhanbad
Central Govt.
13
HEC (Heavy Engg. Corp.)
Heavy Machinery
Ranchi
Central Govt.
14
Hindustan Copper Ltd.
Copper
Ghatsila (East Singhbhum)
Central Govt.
Major Industries and Industrial Development in Jharkhand
Sindri Fertilizer Plant – Produces fertilizer; located in Dhanbad; managed by the Central Government.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. – Based in Ranchi; manufactures diesel engines; a Central Government undertaking.
Odisha Manganese & Minerals Ltd. – Located at Kandra, Seraikela-Kharsawan; deals in steel; privately owned.
Usha Martin Ltd. – Steel production unit based in Jamshedpur; part of Usha Martin Group.
Usha Beltron – Manufactures cables; based in Ranchi; under Usha Martin Group.
Usha Martin Industries – Produces pig iron; located in Jamshedpur; Usha Martin Group.
Hindalco Industries Ltd. – Alumina production at Muri, Ranchi; under Birla Group.
Bihar Caustic Soda & Chemicals – Produces caustic soda; located in Palamu; Birla Group.
ACC Limited (Cement)
Chaibasa, West Singhbhum
Sindri, Dhanbad
Operated by ACC Group
Bokaro Cement Plant – Located at Jojobera, East Singhbhum.
ICI India – Explosives unit in Gomia; part of ICI Group.
*Bihar Sponge Iron Ltd. – Located at Chandil, Seraikela-Kharsawan; *asked in exams.
Zoom Vallabh Steels Ltd. – Sponge iron unit at Dugdha, Seraikela-Kharsawan.
Brahmaputra Metallics Ltd. – Sponge iron unit in Gamharia, Jamshedpur.
Aashirvaad Steel Industries Ltd. – Located in Gola, Ramgarh.
Jai Durga Iron Pvt. Ltd. – Sponge iron producer; based in Jhumri Tilaiya, Koderma.
Indo-Asahi Glass Company – Based in Bharkunda, Ramgarh; private Japanese investment.
Indian Steel and Wire Products – Produces steel rods; based in East Singhbhum.
Hyderabad Industries Ltd. – Makes asbestos products; located in Jasidih, Deoghar.
Bihar Industries Corporation – Produces ceramics at Madhupur, Deoghar.
Anjani Ferro Alloys – Located in Mihijam, Jamtara.
Gautam Ferro Alloys Ltd. – Located in Ramgarh.
The Tinplate Company of India – Produces tin; located in Jamshedpur.
Allied Refractories Pvt. Ltd. – Based in Amaghatta, Jamshedpur.
SAIL Refractories Unit – Located in Ramgarh; under Central Government.
Jharia Firebricks Works – Located in Dhansar, Dhanbad.
Mineral and Chemical Processors – Kendposi, West Singhbhum.
Raj Refractories Pvt. Ltd. – Located in Hardag, Ranchi.
*Tata-Robbins Fraser Ltd. (TRF) – Based in Jamshedpur; established on *20 November 1962; technical assistance from Hewitt-Robbins (USA) and General Electric (UK); works in power, mining, cement, fertilizer, and port sectors.
Handicrafts and Design Sector in Jharkhand
Over 40 handicraft types are produced across Jharkhand – includes terracotta, tussar print, bamboo products, incense sticks, tribal ornaments, pipli art, etc.
Training centers for handicrafts exist in Hazaribagh, Palamu, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Dumka, and Deoghar.
Chotanagpur Regional Handloom & Weaver Institution, Irba (Ranchi) – Established in 1911.
Jharkhand Matikala Board – Formed in 2017 to promote terracotta and clay crafts.
Craft and Design Institute in Ranchi – Established with National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad for training in diploma/degree programs in design.
Computer-based design training proposed at Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Deoghar, Seraikela-Kharsawan, and Latehar with help from C-DAC.
Key Economic & Industrial Facts
Factory Growth:
Factory count in Jharkhand grew by 0.6% (2018–19 to 2019–20) vs. 1.7% nationally.
As per Jharkhand Economic Survey 2022–23:
20th in number of factories
13th in fixed capital
17th in number of workers
16th in production output
Ease of Doing Business Index 2019 (World Bank):
Jharkhand ranked 5th (4th in 2018) among Indian states.
India ranked 77th globally (100th in 2018).
First State in India to implement single-signature technology.
Only Indian state with a CSR Council chaired by the Chief Minister.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. established Marine Diesel Engine Project in Ranchi (Argora) on *6 Oct 1969; renamed in 1988.
Recent Developments & Industrial Initiatives
Craft and Design Institute – Being established in Ranchi with support from NID Ahmedabad to promote silk-based self-employment.
Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor & Amritsar-Delhi Industrial Corridor – 196 km stretch passes through Jharkhand.
Barhi (Hazaribagh) – Notified as Industrial Manufacturing Cluster Growth Center.
Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) – Established in Ranchi.
Deoghar to be developed as a ‘Plastic Hub’ –
Plastic Park proposed over 150 acres at a cost of ₹120 crore.
A CIPET center to also be developed here.
Adityapur (Jamshedpur) – Approved site for world-class Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) by *Ministry of Electronics & IT, GoI.
Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI), Dhanbad – Established in *1945.
HUDCO Regional Office – Located at *Ashok Nagar, Ranchi.
Vedanta Limited – Corporate office located in *Harmu, Ranchi.
Dalmia Bharat Cement Offices – Located in Hawainagar (Ranchi) and **Balidih (Bokaro)*.
Bhilai Industrial Town, located in Chotanagpur Plateau, is known as the “warehouse of minerals“.
Chirkunda Industrial City (Dhanbad) – Dense industrial cluster with over 250 units within 25 km radius.
Industrial Infrastructure
12 District Industries Centers (DICs) operating in: Palamu, Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, West Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Sahebganj, and Godda.
