Bhilai is a city in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, in eastern central India. As of 2001, it had a population of 556,366. The city is located 32 kilometres (20 mi) west of the capital Raipur, on the main Howrah–Mumbai rail line, and National Highway 6. Bhilai is famous for the Bhilai Steel Plant, which is the largest steel plant in India and known for being the only manufacturer of rails in the country used by Indian Railways.It is also known as “STEEL CITY OF CENTRAL INDIA”.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
The nearest International Airport from Bhilai is Swami Vivekanand Airport, Raipur, roughly 45 minutes drive from Bhilai. It is well connected with major cities like Bangalore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai etc. via Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways and Jet Lite.
By Road:-
Bhilai is 11 Kms from Durg, 30 Kms from Raipur, 137 Kms from Bilaspur, 158 Kms from Gondia, 227 Kms from Tumsar, 255 Kms from Nagpur, 304 Kms from Sambalpur and is connected through Chhattisgarh State Road Transport Corporation (CSRTC) and some private travel services.
By Train:-
The nearest Railway Station is Durg Railway Station from Bhilai, roughly half an hour drive from the city. It has daily trains to Bhopal, Bilaspur, Ahmedabad, Durg, Chapra, Howrah, Nagpur, Puri, Shalimar and Vishakhapatnam etc.
WHAT TO SEE
Bhilai Steel Plant:-
The Bhilai Steel Plant was established by the assistance of the Soviet Union in the year 1959, which is counted as a major step of India towards industrialisation. The major productions of the plant include rails, structurals (beams, angles, channels, crossings, sleepers), plates and wide rods.
Dhamdha:-
Dhamdha is on the way from Durg to Bemetara, 35 km away from Bhilai. The place is known for housing a Prachin Kila (Old Fort) and a temple. The region also has restaurants and accommodation facilities for overnight stay.
Hajra:-
This place is famous for the Hajra falls. It is 100 km from Bhilai, crossing Dongargarh near Darekasa Railway station in Howrah Mumbai rail route. Situated amongst dense forests, hills and tunnels, this spectacular 150 feet high falls is a visual delight for tourists. You can enjoy the maginficient cascade of this waterfall. A great tourist attraction and a popular picnic spot.
Civic Centre:-
The Civic Centre is the shopping hub of Bhilai, featuring a number of social activities and amusements. Initially built with two lines of stores and shops, fashioned in an L pattern, this shopping centre has undergone a number of changes with the passage of time. Now it features a children’s garden, equipped with a toy-train. Though the toy train is no more operated, the garden is used for teaching traffic – signs to the children. The place also features a dome Supermarket, which is utilised for art-exhibitions. Towards the east of the Civic-Centre, there is an ‘Open-Air-Theatre,’ which serves as the platform of a number of cultural activities, which also include musical nights.
Tandula:-
Located at a distance of 60 km from Bhilai, Tandula is known for the Dam built on the Tandula River. Popular as a picnic spot, Tandula attracts hundreds of tourists in the winters. There are provisions of a rest house in the region set up by the Irrigation Department.
Maitri Bagh-Zoo:-
Mairtri Bagh is a Zoo as well as a park. It was developed by the Bhilai Steel Plant just beside two manmade water bodies. The Bhilai Water Works is located quite close to Maitri Bagh, providing clear water to the township.Maitri Bagh, which literally means ‘friendship garden’, symbolised the harmony between India and the USSR. Visitors flock the site to view the musical fountain and the shows held at the place. The entrance gate of Maitri Bagh features two artificial giraffes, colliding heads with each other. This park also features a number of gardens, a lake, a manmade waterfall, a musical fountain and a toy train known as Maitrey Express, which is operated on a daily basis. The toy train runs between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm and the price of the ticket is Rs. 5. However, children below three years can enjoy a free ride.
Siyadevi:-
Located amidst a forest, Siyadevi is known for the temple of Sita Maiya. A natural waterfall can be seen, if visiting between July and February
Deobalod:-
Located at a distance of 3 km from Bhilai, Deobalod is home to an ancient Shiv Mandir.
Maitribagh:-
There is a landscaped garden, which is a joint initiative of Indian and Russian Government and a zoo. The highlights of the zoo are exotic animal and avian species. To attract more tourists and children, there is a toy train, lake etc. It also has a musical fountain which is the biggest in Asia. It works as an added attraction to this place. This is a very famous tourist spot and almost all tourists make it a point to visit this place.