A model town

The idea was to build homes for the vast Tata family.

The newborn city was built almost out of the wilderness. Giving shape to Jamsetji’s dream the first inhabitant came in through a rough mud track, transporting building material on a bullock cart. And, within a couple of years, the township boasted a Pump House, which supplied a million gallon of water every day, sprang neat rows of brick houses dotting across wide streets.

The plant grew and the population doubled. Unlike the early settlers, the incoming population was not content with open spaces alone. Understanding their requirements the first school came up in 1915 assisted by Mrs. Charles Perin. New markets were built for the convenience of the inhabitants. Thakkar Bapa as a solution to better living built co-operative societies in 1919. And in the same year the Viceroy conferred the burgeoning town the name ‘Jamshedpur’ as a tribute to the Founder who made it a reality.

The coming years saw the emergence of a model city equipped with the most modern and up-to-date facilities. The 850- bed Tata Main hospital with latest equipment and excellent medical staff was acknowledged to be one of the best-run hospitals in the country. Jamshedpur now houses as many as 15 primary schools, seven colleges and specialised institutions such as a medical college, an arts college, even a well-recognised management institute. Recreational facilities like clubs, tennis courts, swimming pools and a golf course complete the plan of this model township. A 33-acre park modeled after the Brindavan Gardens of Mysore adorned with a lake, several fountains and a rose garden is a major attraction of the city.