Garhwa district commemorated its 35th anniversary on 1 April. The district was established on 1 April 1991, having been separated from the Palamu district.
In the three and a half decades since its inception, Garhwa has made considerable developmental progress, transforming its previous reputation and achieving advancements across numerous sectors. Historically, Garhwa was often linked to issues such as poverty, hunger, unemployment, deaths related to starvation, drought, famine, migration, Naxalism, child bonded labour, and illiteracy. However, the district has largely surmounted these difficulties.
Although progress has been incremental, each financial year has brought new developments. Over the nine years under Bihar state and the subsequent two and a half decades following the creation of Jharkhand, the government and local authorities have strived to resolve fundamental problems. In particular, Garhwa has seen substantial improvements in transport infrastructure, with enhanced road links both within the district and to adjacent states. This has significantly aided businesses in the area. National Highways 75 and 343 traverse the district, and the construction of a long-awaited bypass aims to reduce traffic congestion in Garhwa city.
The district now provides a variety of educational opportunities, ranging from general education to technical and vocational training. However, the state of government schools remains a concern. Garhwa has a total of 1,435 schools, comprising 898 primary schools, 411 middle schools, and 126 secondary schools. There are 1,847 teaching posts currently vacant. Moreover, of the 1,435 schools, one lacks toilet facilities, 29 lack access to drinking water, 1,283 are without electricity, 23 have insufficient benches and desks, and five do not have their own buildings. The central government also runs a Kendriya Vidyalaya and a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in the district.
Namdhari College, the only constituent college in the district, provides postgraduate programmes. Furthermore, Babu Dinesh Singh University, a private institution, has been founded and offers a variety of technical courses. In terms of general education, state schools have seen efforts to modernise their infrastructure and resources. A number of large private schools also operate throughout the district. As a result, students are less inclined to look for educational opportunities outside the area.
The literacy rate in Garhwa District was 39% in 1991. According to the 2011 census, this rate had risen to 62%. No census has been conducted since then.
Despite development initiatives in the district, fundamental problems such as irrigation and employment persist after 34 years, potentially impeding the district's progress. Notably, 80% of Garhwa's population depends on agriculture, yet the majority of the land remains unirrigated. Significant irrigation projects have been absent for over three decades. The long-awaited Kanhar project remains caught up in bureaucratic procedures. This ambitious project was reduced in scope from the Kanhar Reservoir Irrigation Project to the Kanhar Barrage, but even the barrage has yet to be built. The central government's Son-Koyal pipeline water supply scheme has been launched, but its progress is slow. Consequently, it is uncertain when water will reach the fields of Garhwa's farmers. The lack of industries in the district compels young people to migrate in search of livelihoods. Similarly, despite improvements in healthcare, patients in Garhwa still encounter difficulties in accessing emergency services.
While new job opportunities have not materialised, traditional industries have gradually declined. Garhwa was previously known for its production of lac, kendu leaf, forest products, animal husbandry, and ghee. Currently, only seasonal kendu leaf collection remains, with other sources of employment having diminished. Deforestation is a major contributing factor. The closure of SAIL's limestone and dolomite mines in Bhawanathpur has also resulted in job losses for a considerable number of people. These issues become political talking points during elections, but promises and announcements often prove to be unsubstantiated, leading to disillusionment among young people regarding employment.
After 35 years, Garhwa District still lacks headquarters for the Income Tax Department, Sales Tax Department, and District Survey Office, requiring residents to rely on Palamu District for these services.
