Cities and towns in West Bengal

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.

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, 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).^[4] So, the number of census towns is now reduced to 250 as Dhupguri and Dalkhola have been upgraded to municipality.

Major cities

Kolkata, in a monsoon day

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.

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 / 22.57; 88.37	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 / 22.59; 88.31	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 / 27.03; 88.16	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 / 27.06; 88.47	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 / 22.33; 87.33	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 / 23.25; 87.85	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 / 23.68; 86.98	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 / 23.48; 87.32	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 / 24.18; 88.27	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 / 25.00; 88.15	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 / 26.71; 88.43	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 / 26.52; 88.73	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 / 25.62; 88.12	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 / 25.22; 88.77	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 / 23.33; 86.37	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 / 24.1; 88.25	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 / 23.4; 88.5	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 / 22.23; 88.45	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 / 22.76; 88.37	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 / 23.18; 88.58	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 / 22.75; 88.34	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 / 22.87; 88.38	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 / 22.90; 88.39	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 / 22.98; 88.48	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 / 22.3; 87.92	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 / 22.25; 87.65	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 / 23.25; 88.22	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 / 21.78; 87.75	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 / 26.19; 89.26	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 / 23.25; 87.07	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 / 23.08; 87.32	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 / 22.03; 88.06	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.
Suri	23°55′N 87°32′E / 23.92°N 87.53°E / 23.92; 87.53	9.47 km2 (3.66 sq mi)	Municipality	61818	6,528 /km2 (16,910 /sq mi)	Headquarters of the Birbhum district.
Bolpur	23°40′N 87°43′E / 23.67°N 87.72°E / 23.67; 87.72	13.13 km2 (5.07 sq mi)	Municipality	65659	5,001 /km2 (12,950 /sq mi)	the city near which Santiniketan is located.

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List of urban areas (district-wise)

District	Headquarters	Municipal Corporations[4]	Municipalities[4]	Census Towns[5]	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,[6] 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	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	--

References

1. ^ 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. 
2. ^ "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. 
3. ^ "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. 
4. ^ ^{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. 
5. ^ "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. 
6. ^ Rishra census town is separate urban unit from Rishra municipality