Cities and towns in West Bengal
_and_Strand_Road%2C_Calcutta_in_1945.jpg)
Image of Harrison Street Strand Road and Burra Bazaar in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1945, shortly before the urban expansion of West Bengal
West Bengal is the state with highest population density in India.[1] The state is dotted with several small and medium towns and cities. Historically, the main source of income of the people of West Bengal has been farming, and, as a consequence, the state previously had a large rural population skew. At the turn of the 20th century, however, the role of industry in West Bengal increased substantially, leading to a population move into urban areas.
In 1947, when India gained independence, the erstwhile British Indian province of Bengal was divided into two parts: the eastern region formed East Pakistan—which became Bangladesh in 1971 — and the western part joined India as the state of West Bengal. Scores of refugees from the eastern part came to West Bengal, leading to the start of new urban areas, and contributing to the congestion of already established cities like Kolkata.
As of 2001 India census,[2] 375 cities and towns in West Bengal can be classified in the following categories:
- 4 Urban agglomeration (UA): Kolkata, Kolkata Municipal Corporation is responsible for civic administration of the city, whereas Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority is responsible for Greater Kolkata, the UA.Burdwan, Siliguri-Jalpaiguri, Asansol-Durgapur forms the other UAs.[3]
- 20 Municipal Corporations: Kolkata, Asansol, Chandannagar, Durgapur, Bidhannagar, Howrah, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Bardhaman, Kharagpur, Barasat, Chinsurah, Barakpur, Kalyani, Maheshtala, Baharampur, Habra, Srirampur, Haldia, and Krishnanagar.
- 114 Municipalities: Alipurduar, Arambag, Ashoknagar Kalyangarh, Baduria, Badkulla, Baharampur, Baidyabati, Bally, Balurghat, Bangaon, Bankura, Bansberia, Baranagar, Barasat, Barddhaman, Barrackpur, Baruipur, Basirhat, Beldanga, Bhadreswar, Bhatpara, Bidhan Nagar, Birnagar, Bishnupur, Bolpur, Budge Budge, Port Canning,[4] Chakdaha, Champdani, Chandrakona, Contai, Dainhat, Dalkhola, Darjiling, Dhulian, Diamond Harbour, Dinhata, Dubrajpur, Dumdum, Egra, English Bazar, Falakata, Gangarampur, Garulia, Gayespur, Ghatal, Gobardanga, Guskara, Habra, Haldia, Haldibari, Halisahar, Hugli-Chinsurah, Haringhata, Islampur, Jamuria, Jangipur, Jaynagar Mazilpur, Jhalda, Jhargram, Jiaganj Azimganj, Kaliaganj, Kalimpong, Kalna, Kalyani, Kamarhati, Kanchrapara, Kandi, Katwa, Kharagpur, Kharar, Khardaha, Koch Bihar, Konnagar, Krishnanagar, Kshirpai, Kulti, Kurseong, Madhyamgram, Maheshtala, Mal, Mathabhanga, Medinipur, Mekliganj, Memari, Mirik, Murshidabad, Nabadwip, Naihati, New Barrackpur, North Barrackpur, North Dumdum, Old Maldah, Panskura, Panihati, Pujali, Puruliya, Raghunathpur, Raiganj, Rajarhat Gopalpur, Rajpur Sonarpur, Ramjibanpur, Rampurhat, Ranaghat, Raniganj, Rishra, Sainthia, Santipur, Serampore, Sonamukhi, South Dumdum, Suri, Taki, Tamluk, Tarakeswar, Titagarh, Tufanganj, Uluberia and Uttarpara Kotrung.
- 2 notified area: Cooper's Camp and Taherpur
- 1 cantonment: Barrackpur Cantonment and
- 252 census towns.
Now, number of municipalities has been increased to 117 as four new municipalities have been established: Nalhati (2000), Dhupguri (2001), Panskura (2001) and Dalkhola (2003).[5] So, the number of census towns is now reduced to 250 as Dhupguri and Dalkhola have been upgraded to municipality.
Major cities
The Great Banyan tree in Indian Botanical Gardens, Howrah
Toy Train approaching Darjeeling
Kalimpong, as viewed from a distance, showing the urban arrangement necessitated by the geography of some parts of the state.
Main gate of Nandikeshwari Temple in Sainthia
| Name | Coordinates | Area[5] | Status[5] | Population As of 2011[5] | Population Density | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | 22°34′N 88°22′E / 22.57°N 88.37°E | 187.50 km2 (72.39 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 4580544 | 24,430/km2 (63,300/sq mi) | The capital of West Bengal. It was the capital of British India until 1911. Kolkata is one of the four big cities in India, and is one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. |
| Howrah | 22°35′N 88°19′E / 22.59°N 88.31°E | 51.74 km2 (19.98 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 1008704 | 19,496/km2 (50,490/sq mi) | A primarily industrial city in West Bengal. It is located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, and is the twin city to Kolkata. Headquarters of the Howrah district. |
| Darjeeling | 27°02′N 88°10′E / 27.03°N 88.16°E | 10.57 km2 (4.08 sq mi) | Municipality | 107530 | 10,173/km2 (26,350/sq mi) | It is a famous hill station and tourist destination. It is also known for its access route, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Darjeeling tea, and historical role of the city as a summer retreat. Headquarters of the Darjeeling district. |
| Kalimpong | 27°04′N 88°28′E / 27.06°N 88.47°E | 8.67 km2 (3.35 sq mi) | Municipality | 42980 | 4,957/km2 (12,840/sq mi) | It is a hill station in the Darjeeling district. It is known as a tourist destination, especially for its climate, and for its Buddhist monasteries and flower market. |
| Sainthia | 23°55′N 87°32′E / 23.92°N 87.53°E | 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi) | Municipality | 44601 | 4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi) | One of the busiest business hubs in West Bengal and business capital of the Birbhum district. It is a famous tourist destination. The Famous Nandikeshwari Temple, which is one of the Shakti Peethas of Indian subcontinent situated in this town.[6] |
| Kharagpur | 22°20′N 87°20′E / 22.33°N 87.33°E | 90.65 km2 (35.00 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 207984 | 19,294/km2 (49,970/sq mi) | The fifth largest city of West Bengal (by area) is famous for the Indian Institute of Technology. Also has the longest railway platform in the world in its railway station, and a major air force base nearby. It also has one of the best as well as beautiful railway stations in India. It a is a mojor industrial city in West Bengal. |
| Bardhaman | 23°15′N 87°51′E / 23.25°N 87.85°E | 48.00 km2 (18.53 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 430000 | 5,956/km2 (15,430/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Bardhaman district.
Fifth Largest City Of West Bengal After Kolkata, Asansol, Siliguri, Durgapur. |
| Asansol | 23°41′N 86°59′E / 23.68°N 86.98°E | 127.24 km2 (49.13 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 1543008 | 4,434/km2 (11,480/sq mi) | Asansol is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata. An industrial city in the Bardhaman District. It is known for the IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur and the locomotive works at Chittaranjan and the recently founded Kazi Nazrul University It is also at the heart of the Eastern Coalfields area and hosts the headquarters for the mining company. Asansol serves as the commercial hub for the entire region and operates as the Divisional Headquarters for the Asansol Division of the Eastern Railways. |
| Durgapur | 23°29′N 87°19′E / 23.48°N 87.32°E | 154.20 km2 (59.54 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 492996 | 3,197/km2 (8,280/sq mi) | An industrial city in the Bardhaman District, famous for the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, a large industrial city with well-planned roads and townships. It is the second largest city in terms of area. |
| Murshidabad | 24°11′N 88°16′E / 24.18°N 88.27°E | 12.95 km2 (5.00 sq mi) | Municipality | 160168 | 12,368/km2 (32,030/sq mi) | It was the capital of Bengal before British Raj. |
| Malda | 25°00′N 88°09′E / 25.00°N 88.15°E | 13.25 km2 (5.12 sq mi) | Municipality | 161448 | 12,185/km2 (31,560/sq mi) | The fifth largest city in state and second in North Bengal, most important trade hub after Siliguri in North Bengal. It is the gateway of North Bengal as well as north-eastern region of India too. It was the capital of ancient Bengal from the 5th century BC till the time of Muslim rule. The relics are at Gaur and Pandua. |
| Siliguri | 26°43′N 88°26′E / 26.71°N 88.43°E | 41.90 km2 (16.18 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 470275 | 11,224/km2 (29,070/sq mi) | An arterial city in North Bengal, one of the most important business hubs in the state and the entire north-eastern region of India. It is the fourth largest city of the state and the second most important trade hub after Kolkata. |
| Jalpaiguri | 26°31′N 88°44′E / 26.52°N 88.73°E | 12.97 km2 (5.01 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 169013 | 7,726/km2 (20,010/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Jalpaiguri district. |
| Raiganj | 25°37′N 88°07′E / 25.62°N 88.12°E | 8.99 km2 (3.47 sq mi) | Municipality | 165222 | 18,378/km2 (47,600/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district North Dinajpur. |
| Balurghat | 25°13′N 88°46′E / 25.22°N 88.77°E | 8.56 km2 (3.31 sq mi) | Municipality | 135516 | 15,831/km2 (41,000/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district South Dinajpur. |
| Purulia | 23°20′N 86°22′E / 23.33°N 86.37°E | 13.93 km2 (5.38 sq mi) | Municipality | 113766 | 8,167/km2 (21,150/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Purulia district. |
| Baharampur | 24°06′N 88°15′E / 24.1°N 88.25°E | 31.42 km2 (12.13 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 160168 | 5,098/km2 (13,200/sq mi) | Also called Berhampore. It is the headquarters of Murshidabad district. |
| Krishnanagar | 23°24′N 88°30′E / 23.4°N 88.5°E | 15.96 km2 (6.16 sq mi) | Municipality | 139070 | 8,714/km2 (22,570/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Nadia district. |
| Barasat | 22°14′N 88°27′E / 22.23°N 88.45°E | 34.50 km2 (13.32 sq mi) | Municipality | 231515 | 6,711/km2 (17,380/sq mi) | Headquarters of the North 24 Parganas district. |
| Barrackpore | 22°46′N 88°22′E / 22.76°N 88.37°E | 11.65 km2 (4.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 144411 | 12,396/km2 (32,110/sq mi) | The first army barrack of the British East India Company was established here. Also, the first sparks of 1857 Indian mutiny is said to have started from this city. It is now a northern suburb of Kolkata. |
| Ranaghat | 23°11′N 88°35′E / 23.18°N 88.58°E | 7.72 km2 (2.98 sq mi) | Municipality | 68754 | 8,906/km2 (23,070/sq mi) | It is one of the important rail stations in eastern railway and a communication link between north and south Bengal, also it's a growing market. |
| Serampore | 22°45′N 88°20′E / 22.75°N 88.34°E | 14.50 km2 (5.60 sq mi) | Municipality | 197955 | 13,652/km2 (35,360/sq mi) | A city of the Danish East India Company. |
| Chandannagar | 22°52′N 88°23′E / 22.87°N 88.38°E | 20.00 km2 (7.72 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 162166 | 8,108/km2 (21,000/sq mi) | A city built by the French East India Company. |
| Chinsura | 22°54′N 88°23′E / 22.90°N 88.39°E | 17.29 km2 (6.68 sq mi) | Municipality | 170201 | 9,844/km2 (25,500/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Hooghly district. |
| Kalyani | 22°59′N 88°29′E / 22.98°N 88.48°E | 29.14 km2 (11.25 sq mi) | Municipality | 100,620 | 3,500/km2 (9,100/sq mi) | The northernmost part of the Kolkata urban agglomeration, Kalyani was the brainchild of the second chief minister of the state, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. It is a planned township and is divided into residential, industrial and educational sectors. |
| Tamluk | 22°18′N 87°55′E / 22.3°N 87.92°E | 10.42 km2 (4.02 sq mi) | Municipality | 45826 | 4,398/km2 (11,390/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district Midnapore East. |
| Medinipur | 22°15′N 87°39′E / 22.25°N 87.65°E | 18.36 km2 (7.09 sq mi) | Municipality | 153349 | 8,352/km2 (21,630/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district Midnapore West. |
| Nabadwip | 23°15′N 88°13′E / 23.25°N 88.22°E | 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) | Municipality | 125341 | 10,500/km2 (27,000/sq mi) | Nabadwip was capital of old Bengal(A.D. 1169 – A.D.1206). It was a place of culture, literature, religion.Lord Sri Chaityanya was born here. It is noted holy place for Hindus. |
| Contai | 21°47′N 87°45′E / 21.78°N 87.75°E | 14.25 km2 (5.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 77497 | 5,438/km2 (14,080/sq mi) | Near the tourist attraction, Digha. |
| Cooch Behar | 26°11′N 89°16′E / 26.19°N 89.26°E | 8.19 km2 (3.16 sq mi) | Municipality | 76812 | 2,053/km2 (5,320/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Cooch Behar district. |
| Bankura | 23°15′N 87°04′E / 23.25°N 87.07°E | 19.06 km2 (7.36 sq mi) | Municipality | 128811 | 6,758/km2 (17,500/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Bankura district. |
| Bishnupur | 23°05′N 87°19′E / 23.08°N 87.32°E | 22.01 km2 (8.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 61943 | 2,814/km2 (7,290/sq mi) | A city of archeological importance. |
| Haldia | 22°02′N 88°04′E / 22.03°N 88.06°E | 109.65 km2 (42.34 sq mi) | Municipality | 170695 | 1,557/km2 (4,030/sq mi) | Most important among upcoming industrial hubs of the state. Home to major petrochemical houses, it is set to become the most important port in the region. |
List of urban areas (district-wise)
References
- ↑ 903 per sq. km. "India at a glance: Population Density". Census of India, 2001. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ "List of Million Plus Cities of India". Census of India. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ↑ "Four new municipalities in West Bengal". Rabin Biswas. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Category, Year of Establishment, Area, SC, ST and total population in ULBs in West Bengal" (PDF). Department of Municipal affairs, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ↑ http://m.sainthia.westbengalonline.in/city-guide/about-sainthia#
- ↑ "List of Census Towns, West Bengal, 2001". Census of India, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ↑ Rishra census town is separate urban unit from Rishra municipality
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.