If you ask any person who belongs to Ranchi about the most famous tourist spots in Ranchi, he will definitely mention Patratu Valley and Patratu Lake. Well, 10 years ago Patratu Lake was just a dam built to fulfill the water needs of the Patratu Thermal power plant.
Back in 2010-2011, when the Jindal Steel Project started in Patratu, and the Patratu-Ranchi Highway was renovated, it became the most famous tourist spot in Ranchi. Actually, Patratu Lake is situated in the sub-urban of Ramgarh District, but it’s very close to Ranchi (39 km).
The spiral look of Patratu Valley Road gives it a mesmerising look. Jharkhand government built a Resort (Patratu Lake Resort) just beside the Patratu Dam. You’ll find here a beautiful park, water sports facility and many more things to do.
So, are you ready to explore Patratu Valley – The Heaven of Jharkhand?
Let’s dive in.
Patratu Valley: The Ambitious Tourism Project of Jharkhand Government
Patratu Valley Road and Patratu Lake Resort is an ambitious project of the Jharkhand government. Patratu has Patratu Thermal Plant (PTPS) built in 1962 by JSEB. The original plant was built with the help of the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
A dam was established near the project to fulfill the water need for the thermal plant. Today’s Patratu Lake is actually Patratu Dam.
At that time only two roads connected Patratu: Ranchi – Patratu Road and Ramgarh – Patratu Road and they were in worse condition.
In 2010-2011, Jindal started its steel project in Patratu, and both roads were renovated. After that tourists started to come to Patratu Dam and with time several private resorts along with the Jharkhand government’s Patratu Lake Resort were built.
A park started by the government near the lake and it became a hot location near Ranchi for tourists. Now, we can also enjoy speedboat riding and other water sports in this lake.
Jharkhand Government also decided to start a Filmcity near Patratu, however, this proposal is now postponed.
Note: When we see Patratu Valley Road via a drone camera, it looks like a snake which reminds us of the Silk Road between North Bengal and Sikkim. It looks very beautiful and breathtaking to see this from above.
Patratu Valley: Before 2010 and Now
Before the renovation of Patratu Valley Road, it was a very dangerous road, and rarely did anyone drive on this road at night.
I remember I went to Patratu to attend my friend’s marriage.
We went via Ramgarh and the road was all right. We decided to return via Patratu Valley Road and that was such a horrific experience for us.
The road was slippery and stones were here and there on the road. It took 4 hours to finish the 39 km-long road to Ranchi.
Compared to that time, today’s road is like a hot knife in butter. It’s that smooth.
History of Patratu Thermal Power Plant and Patratu Dam
As I have said above, the Patratu Thermal Power plant was established in 1962 by JSEB with the help of the Soviet Union as an ambitious project of the Indian government.
Patratu Dam was built to fulfill the water needs for the boilers of Patratu Thermal Power Plant but nobody knows then that it is going to be one of the beautiful tourist spots of Jharkhand.
Well, before 2010 visiting Patratu Dam was not so easy due to the poor road conditions. After the renovation of Ranchi Patratu Highway, it became a hot tourist spot among local and out-state tourists, especially among the Bengalis.
Patratu thermal power plant is situated 1 km from the dam, and you will also find staff Quarters, local markets, etc there.
Things to Do in Patratu Valley
Patratu Valley and Patratu Lake are full of activities and things to do. Like, the Patratu Lake Park is great for spending some quality moments with your friends and family. You will find local food courts in this park.
Boat riding facility is also available in this park and outside the park.
There are three types of boats available here. Pedal boats, high-speed boats, and cruise. You can enjoy your boat ride according to your budget and as per your choice. Obviously, high-speed boats and cruises charge you more than traditional pedal boats.
But the best thing I enjoy in Patratu Velly is spending time on Patratu Velly’s viewpoint. From this point, you can behold the whole Patratu Lake and Ranchi Patratu Road, which is seen like a snake in between the forest.
It’s very beautiful to behold the combination of nature and man-made thanks.
When you come to this place, don’t skip the Patratu Valley viewpoint as it is the most beautiful place in Patratu Valley.
Resorts and Hotels in Patratu Valley
You will also find several resorts and hotels in Patratu Valley near the lake. This includes the government resort (Patratu Valley Resort).
If you want, you can stay in these resorts and hotels, but Patratu Valley is not far from Ranchi, I prefer they stay in Ranchi city because you will find more options there.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Patratu Valley and Patratu Lake is in winter from September to March. However, excluding the rainy season, Patratu Valley is always full of local and outer estate tourists.
How to Reach
Reaching Patratu Valley and Patratu Lake is very easy from Ranchi. It is 39 km away from Ranchi, so you can book a cab to get there. You can cover your Patratu Valley visit in one day so I prefer to stay in a hotel in Ranchi and book a cab to reach Patratu Valley.
Conclusion
Jharkhand is full of tourist places and Patratu Valley is one of the most beautiful among them. The best thing is, it is very close to Ranchi (39kms) that’s why you can enjoy the tourist place in one day trip from Ranchi.
That’s why local tourists come here from Ranchi and nearby locations.
But, not only local tourists, but people from nearby states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh come here to enjoy some precious moments with nature.
Have you ever been to Patratu Valley?
If yes, then the comment box is yours. Write your experience with Patratu Valley in the comments.
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Hi, I’m Gautam Roy, a passionate traveler, writer, and proud resident of the beautiful state of Jharkhand. Captivated by its natural beauty, rich culture, and untold stories, I’ve created a blog to share my experiences and uncover the hidden gems of this exotic state in India. Join me in exploring Jharkhand’s wonders and discovering its vibrant heritage!
