SARAN DISTRICT PROFILE

Saran district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar.

Saran district is a part of Saran division.

Saran district is also known as Chhapra district because the headquarters of this district is Chhapra.

Saran district is bounded by the districts of Siwan, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Vaishali and Bhojpur of Bihar and Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.

Important rivers flowing through Saran district are Ganga, Gandak, and Ghaghra which encircle the district from south, north east and west side respectively.

INTRODUCTION

Saran was earlier known as ‘SHARAN’ which means refuge in English, after the name given to a Stupa (pillar) built by Emperor Ashoka. Another view is that the name Saran has been derived from SARANGA- ARANYA or the deer forest since the district was famous for its forests and deer in pre-historic times.

In ancient days, the present Saran division, formed a part of Kosala kingdom.

According to 'Ain-E-Akbari’, Saran was one of the six Sarkars/ revenue divisions, constituting the province of Bihar.

By 1666, the Dutch established their trade in saltpetre at Chhapra.

Saran was one of the oldest and biggest districts of Bihar. In 1829, Saran along with Champaran, was included in the Patna Division. Saran was separated from Champaran in 1866 when Champaran district was constituted. In 1981, the three subdivisions of the old Saran district namely Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj became independent districts which formed a part of Saran division.

There are a few villages in Saran which are known for their historical and social significance. Village Rampur Kallan is known for its commendable role in freedom movement.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Saran district comprises of 3 sub-divisions and 20 blocks Subdivisions: Chapra, Sonepur, Marhaura. Blocks:

ADMINISTRATIVE

o Manjhi o Dighwara o Rivilganj o Parsa o Baniapur o Amnaur o Taraiya

o Sonepur o Garkha o Ekma o Dariyapur o Jalalpur o Marhaura o Masarakh

o Maker o Nagra o Panapur o Eisuapur o Lahladpur o Jantabazar

Agriculture is the main activity of Saran district. Agricultural products include paddy, wheat, sugar cane, potato and maize.

The soil of the district is alluvial. The diara areas in the beds of the three rivers are subjected to periodic inundation, hence are highly fertile.

No mineral of economic value is found in the district.

Economy of Saran has seen sustained growth.

The sugar factories in the region contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran.

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Total number of panchayats in Saran district: 330. Total number of villages in Saran district:1767.

0

5000

10000

15000

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

7019 7648 7901 8565 9588 9832 10237 11311 11815

13404

Per Capita Gross State and District Domestic Product

Per Capita Gross District Domestic Product

Per Capita Gross State Domestic Product

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Govt. of Bihar

DEMOGRAPHIC

Population 3,943,098

Population density 1,500 per sq. km

Population growth 21.37%

Sex ratio 949 per 1000 male

Literacy rate 68.57%

Languages spoken Bhojpuri, Maithili, Hindi and Urdu

GEOGRAPHIC

Coordinates Latitude: 25º 36' to 26º 13' North Longitude: 84º 24' to 85º 15' East

Temperature 42° C (Max.) 10° C (Min.)

Average rainfall 818.87 mm

Area 2641 sq. km

Altitude 36 meters

INDUSTRIAL

Registered industrial units 5895

Registered medium & large units

Nil

Total industrial units 5895

No. of industrial areas Nil

Type of industries Agro based, woolen, silk and artificial thread based clothes, readymade garments & embroidery, wood/ wooden based furniture, paper & paper products, leather based, chemical/ chemical based, rubber, plastic & petro based, mineral based, metal based, engineering units, electrical machinery & transport equipments, repairing & servicing.

Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur, official website of district

Agriculture is the main activity of Saran district and paddy, wheat and sugar cane, potato and maize are the major crops grown there.

The sugar factories in the region contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran.

The district also has a leather cluster based at Chapra.

INVESTMENT

INDUSTRIA PROFILE

Major industries include metal, wooden, and agro processing.

Potential areas for service industry: transportation, hotels/restaurants, beauty parlours /saloon, health gym etc.

Potential for new MSMEs: agro based products, water treatment plants, readymade garments, restaurants, beauty parlour/saloon, ladies boutique etc.

0200400600800

1000120014001600

Investment (Rs. In Lakhs)

Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur

INDUSTRIES AT GLANCE

Registered industrial units 5895

Total industrial units 5895

Registered medium & large units Nil

Estimated avg. no. of daily workers employed in small scale industries

3

Employment in large and medium industries Nil

No. of industrial area Nil

EXISTING MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES AND ARTISAN UNITS

Type of industry No. of Units

Investment (Rs. Lakh)

Agro based 2358 1414 Woolen, silk & artificial thread based clothes 8 32 Readymade garments and embroidery 28 146 Wood/wooden based products 345 427.88 Paper and paper products 48 50 Leather based 200 100 Rubber, plastic and petro based 56 60.6 Mineral based 65 90.68 Metal based 564 448.46 Engineering units 200 400 Electrical machinery and transport equipment 265 325.75 Repairing and servicing 521 130.25 Others 1230 410 Total 5895 4035.62

Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur

INFRASTRUCTURE

The district also has a leather cluster based at Chapra with 68 industrial units.

Types of industries present in Saran district are:

Agro based, woolen, silk and artificial thread based clothes, readymade garments & embroidery, wood/ wooden based furniture, paper & paper products, leather based, chemical/ chemical based, rubber, plastic & petro based, mineral based, metal based, engineering units, electrical machinery & transport equipment's, repairing & servicing.

Potential for MSMEs are agro based products, water treatment plants, readymade garments, restaurants, beauty parlour/saloon, ladies boutique etc.

Potential for service industry are: transportation, hotels/ restaurants, beauty parlours / saloon, health gym etc.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Paddy, wheat, sugar cane, potato, maize etc., are the main agricultural crops.

There are some sugar mills in the region which contribute the most to the industrial scenario of Saran

The district has huge potential for setting up food processing industry packaging industry.

Total cultivable barren land : 3720 hectares

LARGE SCALE INDUSTRY/ PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKING

M/s Rail Wheel Factory at Bela, Chhapra.

M/s Locomotive Manufacturing Unit at Marhaura

Potential Micro & Small Enterprise

•Agro based products •Water treatment

plants. •Readymade garments. • Restaurants. • Beauty

parlour/saloon. • Ladies’ boutique.

Major Existing Clusters

• Leather cluster

Potential Service Enterprises

•Transportation. •Hotels/restaurants •Beauty parlours

/saloon. •Health gym.

IDENTIFIED CLUSTERS

• Principal products manufactured in the cluster- ladies & gents chappal & nagra shoes.

• No. of functional units in the cluster - 68 • Turnover of the cluster - Rs. 405 lakh per

annum. • Employment in cluster – 3300.

Leather Cluster

Source: MSME – DI Muzaffarpur

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Ra

ilway

•Chhapra station connects major cities and railway stations in India.

•Hajipur, Sonpur, Dighwara, Ekma, Chhapra Kacheri, Chainwa, Daudpur, Nayagaon are other railway stations in the district.

Road

•Chhapra is well connected by road.

•Marhaura, Chhapra, Dighwara, Sonepur, Revelganj cities have road connectivity to major towns and remote villages.

Airp

ort • Nearest airport

is Patna, 120 km.

EDUCATION

Saran district has 1265 primary schools, 341 middle schools, 117 high schools, 6 intermediate level colleges, 3 teachers’ training colleges, 1 ITI, 14 colleges, 2 research organizations.

Universities in Saran district : Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya.

HERITAGE & TOURISM

Major tourist sites in Saran district Aami: Situated about 28 km east of Chhapra , it is said that Maharaja Daksha

and King Surat practised asceticism here. There is an old Durga temple known as Ambasthan. Near the temple there is a garden and a deep perennial well. Sonepur: Situated in the confluence of holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, it was here that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are said to have resolved the fight between Gaj -the elephant and Ghariyal-the crocodile. Internationally famous for Harihar Kshetra Mela held on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, for years Sonepur has been the centre of attraction for domestic and foreign visitors. On the day of Kartik Purnima, an immense crowd assembles and take bath in the rivers. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight.

Dhorn Ashram: Many exhibits of archaeological importance can be seen here. The ancient temple of Bhagwan Dhadheswarnath is situated on the bank of river Gandaki in which lies a gigantic Shivling of stone.

Gautham Asthan: The ashram of Gautam Rishi is situated 5 km west of Chhapra. It is believed that Ahilya-the stone turned wife of sage Gautam was redeemed of her curse here.

Silhauri: This is an important place according to the Shiv Puran and Ram Charitra Manas. It is believed that Lord Indra and Yamraj, the God of death, took a test of king Shivi here. On every Shivratri, a mela is organized here during which the devotes of Baba Shilanath come to pay their obeisances.

Chirand: Situated 11 km east of Chhapra, archaeological excavations have revealed for the first time, a four thousand years old developed neo-lithic culture in northern India. Inhabitants of Chirand were engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture and hunting.

Udyog Mitra, Dept. of Industries Govt. of Bihar Ground Floor, Indira Bhawan, RCS Path, Patna, Bihar 800 001. Tel : +91 612 2532695 Fax : +91 612 2532695 Email: info@udyogmitrabihar.com

Industries Department 2nd Floor, Vikas Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar 800 015

www.udyogmitrabihar.com