Cities and towns in West Bengal
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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.
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[edit] Classification
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] 375 cities and towns in West Bengal can be classified in the following categories:
- 2 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.Siliguri, Asansol, Durgapur forms the other UA.[3]
- 6 Municipal Corporations: Kolkata, Asansol, Chandannagar, Durgapur, Howrah and Siliguri.
- 114 Municipalities: Alipurduar, Arambag, Ashoknagar Kalyangarh, Baduria, Baharampur, Baidyabati, Bally, Balurghat, Bangaon, Bankura, Bansberia, Baranagar, Barasat, Barddhaman, Barrackpur, Baruipur, Basirhat, Beldanga, Bhadreswar, Bhatpara, Bidhan Nagar, Birnagar, Bishnupur, Bolpur, Budge Budge, Cannin[4], Chakdaha, Champdani, Chandrakona, Contai, Dainhat, Darjiling, Dhulian, Diamond Harbour, Dinhata, Dubrajpur, Dumdum, Egra, English Bazar, Falakata, Gangarampur, Garulia, Gayespur, Ghatal, Gobardanga, Guskara, Habra, Haldia, Haldibari, Halisahar, Hugli-Chinsurah, Islampur, Jalpaiguri, 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, 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.
[edit] Major cities
[edit] List of urban areas (district-wise)
| Name | Coordinates | Area[5] | Status[5] | Population As of 2001[update][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 the 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, and the second largest 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. |
| Kharagpur | 22°20′N 87°20′E / 22.33°N 87.33°E | 90.65 km2 (35.00 sq mi) | Municipality | 207984 | 2,294 /km2 (5,940 /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. |
| Bardhaman | 23°15′N 87°51′E / 23.25°N 87.85°E | 48.00 km2 (18.53 sq mi) | Municipality | 285871 | 5,956 /km2 (15,430 /sq mi) | Headquarters of the Bardhaman district. |
| Asansol | 23°41′N 86°59′E / 23.68°N 86.98°E | 127.24 km2 (49.13 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 486304 | 3,822 /km2 (9,900 /sq mi) | An industrial town in the Bardhaman District. It is known for its famous iron and steel works and the locomotive works at Chittaranjan. It is the third largest city of West Bengal. |
| 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 town in the Bardhaman District, famous for the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute the commercial capital of the Rarh region, a large industrial city with well-planned roads and townships. The fourth largest city in West Bengal. |
| 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) | It was the capital of Bengal from 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 fifth 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) | Municipality | 100212 | 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) | Municipality | 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 | 81984 | 2,813 /km2 (7,290 /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 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. |
| sainthia. Birbhum | 23°55′N 87°32′E / 23.92°N 87.53°E | 9.47 km2 (3.66 sq mi) | Municipality | 61818 | 6,528 /km2 (16,910 /sq mi) | busness center in the Birbhum district. |
| District | Headquarters | Municipal Corporations[5] | Municipalities[5] | Census Towns[6] | Special Urban Units | |
| Bankura | Bankura | -- | Bankura, Bishnupur, Sonamukhi | Barjora, Beliatore | -- | |
| Bardhaman | Bardhaman | Asansol, Durgapur | Barddhaman, Dainhat, Guskara, Jamuria, Kalna, Katwa, Kulti, Memari, Raniganj | Amkula, Andal, Bahula, Ballavpur, Banshra, Baska, Belebathan, Bhanowara, Bilpahari, Chak Bankola, Chapui, Chelad, Chhora, Chittaranjan, Dalurband, Debipur, Dhandadihi, Dhatrigram, Dignala, Gopinathpur, Haripur, Harishpur, Hatsimla, Hindusthan Cables Town, Jemari, Jemari (J.K. Nagar Township), Kajora, Kanksa, Kenda, Kendra Khottamdi, Khandra, Konardihi, Kunustara, Mahira, Mandarbani, Murgathaul, Nabgram, Palashban, Pangachhiya (B), Panuhat, Parashkol, Parasia, Patuli, Prayagpur, Raghunathchak, Ramnagar, Ratibati, Sankarpur, Sarpi, Siduli, Sirsha, Srirampur, Sukdal, Ukhra, Uttar Goara | -- | |
| Birbhum | Suri | -- | Bolpur, Dubrajpur, Nalhati, Rampurhat, Sainthia, Suri | Ahmadpur | -- | |
| Cooch Behar | Cooch Behar | -- | Dinhata, Koch Bihar, Haldibari, Mathabhanga, Mekliganj, Tufanganj | Bhangri Pratham Khanda, Guriahati, Khagrabari, Kharimala Khagrabari | -- | |
| Darjeeling | Darjeeling | Siliguri | Darjiling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik | Bairatisal, Cart Road, Pattabong Tea Garden, Uttar Bagdogra | -- | |
| East Midnapore | Tamluk | -- | Contai, Egra, Haldia, Panskura, Tamluk | Bahirgram, Dakshin Baguan, Goasafat, Kakdihi, Kolaghat | -- | |
| Hooghly | Chinsura | Chandannagar | Arambag, Bansberia, Baidyabati, Bhadreswar, Champdani, Hugli-Chinsurah, Konnagar, Rishra, Serampore, Tarakeswar, Uttarpara Kotrung | Amodghata, Badhagachhi, Bamunari, Barijhati, Begampur, Chak Bansberia, Chikrand, Dakshin Rajyadharpur, Dharmapur, Kanaipur, Kharsarai, Kodalia, Kulihanda, Madhusudanpur, Mrigala, Monoharpur, Nabagram Colony, Pairagachha, Pandua, Purba Tajpur, Raghunathpur, Rishra,[7] Shankhanagar, Simla, Singur, Garalgachha, Krishnapur, Raghunathpur | -- | |
| Howrah | Howrah | Howrah | Bally, Uluberia | Andul, Ankurhati, Argari, Bagnan, Balaram Pota, Bally (Jagachha), Bankra, Banupur, Beldubi, Bhandardaha, Bikihakola, Bipra Noapara, Chakapara, Chamrail, Dakshin Jhapardaha, Dhuilya, Domjur, Eksara, Gabberia, Hatgachha, Jagadishpur, Jala Kendua, Jhorhat, Kalara, Kantlia, Kesabpur, Khalia, Khalor, Khantora, Mahiari, Makardaha, Manikpur, Mansinhapur, Nalpur, Natibpur, Naupala, Nibra, Panchla, Panchpara, Paniara, Podara, Raghudebbati, Ramchandrapur, Sahapur, Salap, Sankrail, Santoshpur, Sarenga, Tentulkuli, Uttar Pirpur | -- | |
| Jalpaiguri | Jalpaiguri | -- | Alipurduar, Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri, Mal | Alipurduar Railway Junction, Banarhat Tea Garden, Bholar Dabri, Chechakhata, Falakata, Gairkata, Jaygaon, Mainaguri, Paschim Jitpur, Sobhaganj, Uttar Kamakhyaguri, Uttar Latabari | -- | |
| Kolkata | Kolkata | Kolkata | -- | -- | -- | |
| Malda | English Bazar | -- | English Bazar, Old Maldah | Aiho, Kachu Pukur, Kendua | -- | |
| Murshidabad | Baharampur | -- | Baharampur, Beldanga, Dhulian, Jangipur, Jiaganj Azimganj, Kandi, Murshidabad | Anup Nagar, Aurangabad, Chachanda, Charka, Dafahat, Dhusaripara, Farrakka Barrage Township, Fatellapur, Ghorsala, Goaljan, Gora Bazar, Harharia Chak, Jagtaj, Jot Kamal, Kankuria, Kasimbazar, Khodarampur, Paschim Punropara, Sahajadpur, Serpur, Srikantabati, Uttar Mahammadpur | -- | |
| Nadia | Krishnanagar | -- | Birnagar, Chakdaha, Gayespur, Krishnanagar, Kalyani, Nabadwip, Ranaghat, Santipur | Aistala, Bablari Dewanganj, Baruihuda, Char Brahmanagar, Char Maijdia, Darappur, Gopalpur, Jagadanandapur, Karimpur, Kshidirpur, Madanpur, Nasra, Parbbatipur, Phulia, Satigachha, | Notified area: Cooper's Camp, Taherpur | |
| North 24 Parganas | Barasat | -- | Ashoknagar Kalyangarh, Baduria, Bangaon, Baranagar, Barasat, Barrackpur, Basirhat, Bhatpara, Bidhan Nagar, Dumdum, Gobardanga, Habra, Halisahar, Garulia, Kamarhati, Kanchrapara, Khardaha, Madhyamgram, Naihati, New Barrackpur, North Barrackpur, North Dumdum, Panihati, Rajarhat Gopalpur, South Dumdum, Taki, Titagarh | Bamangachhi, Bara Bamonia, Chandpur, Dhakuria, Dhanyakuria, Garshyamnagar, Guma, Ichhapur Defence Estate, Jafarpur, Jetia, Kaugachhi, Maslandapur, Muragachha, Nebadhai Duttapukur, Nokpul, Patulia, Raigachhi, Ruiya, Sadpur, Sonatikiri, Talbandha | Cantonment Board: Barrackpur Cantonment | |
| North Dinajpur | Raiganj | -- | Dalkhola, Islampur, Kaliaganj, Raiganj | Kasba, Nachhratpur Katabari | -- | |
| Purulia | Purulia | -- | Jhalda, Puruliya, Raghunathpur | Adra, Arra, Balarampur, Barabazar, Chapari, Hijuli, Nabagram, Par Beliya, Santaldih | -- | |
| South 24 Parganas | Alipore | -- | Baruipur, Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar Mazilpur, Maheshtala, Pujali, Rajpur Sonarpur | Amtala, Balarampur, Bhangar Raghunathpur, Bilandapur, Birlapur, Bishnupur, Bowali, Chak Enayetnagar, Chak Kashipur, Chata Kalikapur, Kanyanagar, Uttar Durgapur, Uttar Kalas, Uttar Raypur | -- | |
| South Dinajpur | Balurghat | -- | Balurghat, Gangarampur | -- | -- | |
| West Midnapore | Medinipur | -- | Chandrakona, Ghatal, Jhargram, Kharagpur, Kharar, Kshirpai, Medinipur, Ramjibanpur | Balichak, Deuli, Durllabhganj, Kharagpur Railway Settlement | -- |
[edit] References
- ^ 903 per sq. km. "India at a glance: Population Density". Census of India, 2001. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/India_at_glance/density.aspx. 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. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ "List of Million Plus Cities of India". Census of India. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Population/List_of_Million_Plus_Cities.aspx. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
- ^ "Four new municipalities in West Bengal". Rabin Biswas. http://updateox.com/west-bengal/four-new-municipalities-in-west-bengal/. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Category, Year of Establishment, Area, SC, ST and total population in ULBs in West Bengal". Department of Municipal affairs, Government of West Bengal. http://wbdma.gov.in/pdf/b.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ^ "List of Census Towns, West Bengal, 2001". Census of India, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/01/TABLE-3B.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ^ Rishra census town is separate urban unit from Rishra municipality
