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. Asansol with surrounding towns forms the other UA.[3]
- 6 Municipal Corporations: Kolkata, Asansol, Chandannagar, Durgapur, Howrah and Siliguri.
- 113 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, Chakdaha, Champdani, Chandrakona, Contai, Dainhat, Darjiling, Dhulian, Diamond Harbour, Dinhata, Dubrajpur, Dumdum, Egra, English Bazar, 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, 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.
- 3 notified area: Cooper's Camp, Taherpur and Mirik
- 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).[4] So, the number of census towns is now reduced to 250 as Dhupguri and Dalkhola have been upgraded to municipality.
[edit] Major cities
| Name | Coordinates | Area[4] | Status[4] | Population As of 2001[update][4] | Population Density | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | 22°34′N 88°22′E / 22.57°N 88.37°E | 187.50 square kilometers (72.39 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 4580544 | 24,430 /km2 (63,273/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 square kilometers (19.98 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 1008704 | 19,496 /km2 (50,494/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 square kilometers (4.08 sq mi) | Municipality | 107530 | 10,173 /km2 (26,348/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 square kilometers (3.35 sq mi) | Municipality | 42980 | 4,957 /km2 (12,839/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 square kilometers (35.00 sq mi) | Municipality | 207984 | 2,294 /km2 (5,941/sq mi) | 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 square kilometers (18.53 sq mi) | Municipality | 285871 | 5,956 /km2 (15,426/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Bardhaman district. |
| Asansol | 23°41′N 86°59′E / 23.68°N 86.98°E | 127.24 square kilometers (49.13 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 486304 | 3,822 /km2 (9,899/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 square kilometers (59.54 sq mi) | Municipal Corporation | 492996 | 3,197 /km2 (8,280/sq mi) | An industrial town in the Bardhaman District, 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 square kilometers (5.00 sq mi) | Municipality | 160168 | 12,368 /km2 (32,033/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 square kilometers (5.12 sq mi) | Municipality | 161448 | 12,185 /km2 (31,559/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 square kilometers (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 square kilometers (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 square kilometers (3.47 sq mi) | Municipality | 165222 | 18,378 /km2 (47,599/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district North Dinajpur. |
| Balurghat | 25°13′N 88°46′E / 25.22°N 88.77°E | 8.56 square kilometers (3.31 sq mi) | Municipality | 135516 | 15,831 /km2 (41,002/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district South Dinajpur. |
| Purulia | 23°20′N 86°22′E / 23.33°N 86.37°E | 13.93 square kilometers (5.38 sq mi) | Municipality | 113766 | 8,167 /km2 (21,152/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Purulia district. |
| Baharampur | 24°06′N 88°15′E / 24.1°N 88.25°E | 31.42 square kilometers (12.13 sq mi) | Municipality | 160168 | 5,098 /km2 (13,204/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 square kilometers (6.16 sq mi) | Municipality | 139070 | 8,714 /km2 (22,569/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Nadia district. |
| Barasat | 22°14′N 88°27′E / 22.23°N 88.45°E | 34.50 square kilometers (13.32 sq mi) | Municipality | 231515 | 6,711 /km2 (17,381/sq mi) | Headquarters of the North 24 Parganas district. |
| Barrackpore | 22°46′N 88°22′E / 22.76°N 88.37°E | 11.65 square kilometers (4.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 144411 | 12,396 /km2 (32,105/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 square kilometers (2.98 sq mi) | Municipality | 68754 | 8,906 /km2 (23,066/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 square kilometers (5.60 sq mi) | Municipality | 197955 | 13,652 /km2 (35,359/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 square kilometers (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 square kilometers (6.68 sq mi) | Municipality | 170201 | 9,844 /km2 (25,496/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Hooghly district. |
| Kalyani | 22°59′N 88°29′E / 22.98°N 88.48°E | 29.14 square kilometers (11.25 sq mi) | Municipality | 81984 | 2,813 /km2 (7,286/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 square kilometers (4.02 sq mi) | Municipality | 45826 | 4,398 /km2 (11,391/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district Midnapore East. |
| Medinipur | 22°15′N 87°39′E / 22.25°N 87.65°E | 18.36 square kilometers (7.09 sq mi) | Municipality | 153349 | 8,352 /km2 (21,632/sq mi) | Headquarters of the district Midnapore West. |
| Kolaghat | 22°26′N 87°52′E / 22.43°N 87.87°E | 0 square kilometers (0.00 sq mi) | Census town | 23707 | 0 /km2 (0/sq mi) | A thermal power plant is situated here. |
| Contai | 21°47′N 87°45′E / 21.78°N 87.75°E | 14.25 square kilometers (5.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 77497 | 5,438 /km2 (14,084/sq mi) | Near the tourist attraction, Digha. |
| Cooch Behar | 26°11′N 89°16′E / 26.19°N 89.26°E | 8.19 square kilometers (3.16 sq mi) | Municipality | 16812 | 2,053 /km2 (5,317/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Cooch Behar district. |
| Bankura | 23°15′N 87°04′E / 23.25°N 87.07°E | 19.06 square kilometers (7.36 sq mi) | Municipality | 128811 | 6,758 /km2 (17,503/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Bankura district. |
| Bishnupur | 23°05′N 87°19′E / 23.08°N 87.32°E | 22.01 square kilometers (8.50 sq mi) | Municipality | 61943 | 2,814 /km2 (7,288/sq mi) | A city of archeological importance. |
| Haldia | 22°02′N 88°04′E / 22.03°N 88.06°E | 109.65 square kilometers (42.34 sq mi) | Municipality | 170695 | 1,557 /km2 (4,033/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. |
| Suri | 23°55′N 87°32′E / 23.92°N 87.53°E | 9.47 square kilometers (3.66 sq mi) | Municipality | 61818 | 6,528 /km2 (16,907/sq mi) | Headquarters of the Birbhum district. |
| Bolpur | 23°40′N 87°43′E / 23.67°N 87.72°E | 13.13 square kilometers (5.07 sq mi) | Municipality | 65659 | 5,001 /km2 (12,953/sq mi) | the city near which Santiniketan is located. |
[edit] List of urban areas (district-wise)
[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.
- ^ 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
