Asansol is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the second largest and most populated city of West Bengal and the 49th largest urban agglomeration in India.
Asansol is the district headquarters of Paschim Bardhaman district. According to a 2010 report by the International Institute for Environment and Development, a UK-based policy research non-governmental body, Asansol was ranked 11th among Indian cities and 42nd in the world in its list of 100 fastest-growing cities. Asansol is classed as a Y-category city for calculation of HRA (house rent allowance) for public servants, making it a Tier-II city.
As per the 2015 census, the total population of Asansol is 14,624,000. The city has a literacy rate of 83.30 percent.
The evangelisation work in this area began in 1870 by the Jesuit fathers of Calcutta, formerly known as the 'Bengal Jesuit Mission'. On May1, 1994, Burdwan and Bhirbum districts were formed into a vicariate by Archbishop Henry D'Souza of Calcutta and Auxiliary Bishop Cyprian Monis of Calcutta was appointed as episcopal bicar.
The diocese of Asansol consists of Burdwan district, nine blocks of Bankura district and 10 blocks of Birbhum district. Asansol is a sub-divisional headquarters within Burdwan district. It is an industrial town, 225 km north west of Calcutta. Bishop Cyprian Monis was appointed as the first bishop of diocese of Asansol on Dec. 3, 1997.
Asansol has hot and dry summers and cold chilly winters. In summers, temperatures soar above 40°C with dry hot air blowing known as 'loo' while in winter temperatures go below 10°C. Monsoon lasts from June to September.
Asansol is a cosmopolitan city located on the lower Chota Nagpur Plateau, which occupies most of Jharkhand, between the Damodar and Ajay rivers. The Barakar river joins the Damodar river near Dishergarh. Two small rivulets, Nunia and Garui flow past Asansol.
While Dhanbad district in Jharkhand lies on the western side, Durgapur subdivision lies on the eastern side. To the south, across the Damodar river are the Purulia and Bankura districts. To the north are Dumka and Birbhum districts. Dhanbad district is a major coal mining area and has close links with Asansol.
The economy of Asansol is primarily dependent on its steel and coal industries, railways, and trade and commerce.
Asansol diocese’s territory spreads over 13,500 square kilometers and covers the districts of Burdwan, Bankura and Birbhum.
