Industries in Bardhaman are plenty and involve numerable significant industries which are concentrated in the Durgapur Subdivision and Asansol Subdivision. The development of modern industrial towns of Chittaranjan and Durgapur has ensured the urbanization of the Bardhaman district, thanks to the different five year plans. Raniganj, Kulti, Burnpur and Asansol are important industrial centers today. Steel, iron and coal are amongst the essential traditional local industries of Bardhaman. Thermal power programmes, fertilizers and hydro-electric power plants constitute the important industries which have strengthened the local economy of this region of the country.
Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO)
Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) is renowned for being the very first unit in the country which manufactures pig iron and iron casting in the country. Initially, IISCO was known as the Bengal Iron Works. Public Works Department of the Government of India undertook the supervision of the works started by IISCO in the year 1880 to 1881. The transfer of ownership occurred in 1936, after which the company assumed the new name of Indian Iron and Steel Limited or IISCO.
Durgapur Steel Plant
Durgapur Steel Plant is situated on the river banks of Damodar. The very first blast furnace of this plant was built on 29th December, 1960. In 1957, the construction of Durgapur Steel Plant commenced. British technology was employed in its functioning. This plant contains its own washery. The Research and Control Laboratory of the Steel Plant is responsible for controlling and enhancing the quality of the products created here. The products manufactured here involve rods in coils, crossing sleepers, electric resistance welded pipes and several others.
Durgapur Alloy Steel Plant
Set up in the year 1965, the Alloy Steel Plant was constructed in order to manufacture engineering steels, alloys and some other products. The main portion of the plant was inspired by Japan and the technical details were supplied by a Canadian company. The process of vacuum degassing is performed only in the Durgapur Alloy Steel Plant.
Durgapur Fertilizer Project
Durgapur Fertilizer Plant is known to be the very first fertilizer plant in the Eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Indian engineers had designed this plant with the help of foreign collaboration. Its main product, Naphtha is supplied by the Indian Oil Corporation.
Durgapur Project Limited
This organization is a West Bengal Government undertaking. The various sections of the Durgapur Project Limited include a coke oven plant, a thermal power station, a brand new industrial unit which offers modern amenities and a gas line which is present between Calcutta and Durgapur.
Chittaranjan Locomotive
Chittaranjan possesses a locomotive factory which is located at a distance of nearly 7 miles from Asansol. This is situated near Mihijam Station. There are numerous local factories which have enabled the steady growth of the locomotive industry of Bardhaman district.
Hindustan Cables Limited
This company is an undertaking of the Government of India. It is the one and only Indian organization which is known to produce telephone cables and coaxial cables in the country. The products manufactured by Hindustan Cables Limited have earned good recognition in India.
Bardhaman district is reputed for its multiple kinds of iron utensils. Cutlery items are created in the area of Kanchannagar, which is about five kilometres from the western portion of Bardhaman. Begunkhola, Bonpas and Dainhat are well-known for their production of bell metal utensils and brass metalware. Other industries involving silver, gold, clay image creating, cart-making, Pottery, bamboo and cane crafts, oil crushing, stone carving, handloom weaving, etc. Cottage industry also thrives in this region and Katwa Industrial Centre is the most significant area for this industry. Kalna, Purbusthali and Manteswar are the ancient area which specializes in various crafts of cottage industries.