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 the second highest population density in India . The state is dotted with several large and medium cities and towns. 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 .[ 1]
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 .[ 2]
Current scenario
According to the 2011 Census of India , 128 cities and towns in West Bengal[ a] are classified into the following categories:[ 7] [ 8]
Sl. No.
City Name
Founder
GDP Per Capita (2024) (Standard of Living)
Population (2011)
District
1
Bidhannagar (BMC 2015 ) (Salt Lake City )
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (Best Chief Minister of West Bengal 1948-1962 ) (Hailed from a Bengali Hindu family of Khulna , Bengal , present-day Bangladesh /East Bengal )
$6,000
6,32,107
North 24 Parganas
2
Kolkata (KMC 1876 )
British Empire (1758-1947 ) of England (Europe )
$4,400
44,96,694
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas
3
Durgapur (DMC 1994 )
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (Best Chief Minister of West Bengal 1948-1962 ) (Hailed from a Bengali Hindu family of Khulna , Bengal , present-day Bangladesh /East Bengal )
$3,600
5,66,937
West Burdwan
4
Siliguri (SMC 1994 )
British Empire (1758-1947 ) of England (Europe )
$3,500
5,13,264
Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri
5
Asansol (AMC 1994 )
British Empire (1758-1947 ) of England (Europe )
$3,400
12,43,414
West Burdwan
6
Howrah (HMC 1984 )
Mughal Empire (1526-1757 ) of Uzbekistan (Central Asia )
$3,000
13,62,561
Howrah
7
Chandannagar (CMC 1994 )
French Empire (1534-1951 ) of France (Europe )
$2,400
1,66,867
Hooghly
Municipalities
Notified Area
Major cities
Rank
Name
District
Type[ 9]
Population 2011[ 10]
Male
Female
Population below 5 yrs
Literacy rate
1
Kolkata
Kolkata , North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas , Nadia , Howrah , Hooghly
UA
14,112,536
7,319,682
6,792,854
1,063,394
88.33
2
Asansol
Paschim Bardhaman
UA
1,243,008
647,831
595,177
132,560
80.00
3
Siliguri
Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri
UA
701,489
359,750
341,739
72,252
82.05
4
Durgapur
Paschim Bardhaman
UA
581,409
301,700
279,709
51,930
87.70
5
Bardhaman
Purba Bardhaman
UA
347,016
177,055
169,961
25,069
88.62
6
English Bazar
Malda
UA
324,237
175,073
149,164
44,186
81.32
7
Baharampur
Murshidabad
UA
305,609
156,489
149,120
23,182
88.38
8
Habra
North 24 Parganas
UA
304,584
154,861
149,723
23,023
91.03
9
Kharagpur
Paschim Medinipur
UA
293,719
150,487
143,232
25,130
85.61
10
Shantipur
Nadia
UA
288,718
147,299
141,419
24,006
82.67
11
Dankuni
Hooghly
UA
249,840
128,139
121,701
22,956
85.69
12
Dhulian
Murshidabad
UA
239,022
119,151
119,871
45,483
60.06
13
Ranaghat
Nadia
UA
235,583
119,578
116,005
18,575
86.10
14
Haldia
Purba Medinipur
City
200,762
104,852
95,910
21,122
89.06
15
Raiganj
Uttar Dinajpur
UA
199,758
104,966
94,792
22,028
81.71
16
Krishnanagar
Nadia
UA
181,182
91,583
89,599
13,663
88.09
17
Nabadwip
Nadia
UA
175,474
90,810
84,664
13,049
84.57
18
Medinipur
Paschim Medinipur
City
169,127
85,362
83,765
14,365
90.01
19
Jalpaiguri
Jalpaiguri
UA
169,013
85,226
83,787
14,522
86.03
20
Balurghat
Dakshin Dinajpur
UA
164,593
82,466
82,127
10,349
91.66
21
Basirhat
North 24 Parganas
UA
144,891
73,491
71,400
12,578
86.88
22
Bankura
Bankura
City
138,036
70,734
67,302
10,760
87.27
23
Chakdaha
Nadia
UA
132,855
67,135
65,720
9,829
90.95
24
Darjeeling
Darjeeling
UA
132,016
65,839
66,177
7,382
93.17
25
Alipurduar
Alipurduar
UA
127,342
64,898
62,444
10,545
89.16
26
Purulia
Purulia
UA
126,894
65,334
61,560
12,116
81.53
27
Jangipur
Murshidabad
UA
122,875
62,734
60,141
16,299
75.71
28
Bangaon
North 24 Parganas
City
110,668
56,416
54,252
8,452
90.25
29
Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar
UA
106,760
53,803
52,957
7,910
91.75
List of urban areas (district-wise)
District
Headquarters
Municipal Corporations[ 8]
Municipalities[ 8]
Census Towns[ 11]
Special Urban Units
Alipurduar
Alipurduar
--
Alipurduar , Falakata
Alipurduar Railway Junction , Bholar Dabri , Chechakhata , Jaygaon , Paschim Jitpur , Sobhaganj , Uttar Kamakhyaguri , Uttar Latabari
--
Bankura
Bankura
--
Bankura , Bishnupur , Sonamukhi
Barjora , Beliatore , Khatra
--
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
--
Dakshin Dinajpur
Balurghat
--
Balurghat , Gangarampur , Buniadpur
--
--
Darjeeling
Darjeeling
Siliguri
Darjiling , Kurseong , Mirik
Bairatisal , Cart Road , Pattabong Tea Garden , Uttar Bagdogra
--
Hooghly
Chinsurah
Chandannagar
Arambag , Bansberia , Baidyabati , Bhadreswar , Champdani , Hugli-Chuchura , 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 , 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
--
Dhupguri , Jalpaiguri , Mainaguri , Mal
Banarhat Tea Garden , Gairkata
--
Jhargram
Jhargram
--
Jhargram
--
--
Kalimpong
Kalimpong
--
Kalimpong
--
--
Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata
--
--
--
Malda
Malda City
--
English Bazar , Old Malda
Aiho , Kachu Pukur , Kendua , Gazole , Chanchal , Kaliachak , Sujapur , Manikchak , Ratua , Harish Chandrapur , Bamongola , Habibpur
--
Murshidabad
Baharampur
--
Baharampur , Beldanga , Dhulian , Jangipur , Jiaganj Azimganj , Kandi , Murshidabad
Anup Nagar , Aurangabad , Chachanda , Charka , Dafahat , Dhusaripara , Sagardighi , 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 , Haringhata , Kalyani , Krishnanagar , Taherpur , Nabadwip , Ranaghat , Santipur , Cooper's Camp
Aistala , Bablari Dewanganj , Baruihuda , Char Brahmanagar , Char Maijdia , Darappur , Jagadanandapur , Karimpur , Kshidirpur , Madanpur , Badkulla , Nasra , Parbbatipur , Phulia , Satigachha
--
North 24 Parganas
Barasat
Bidhannagar
Ashoknagar Kalyangarh , Baduria , Bangaon , Baranagar , Barasat , Barrackpore , Basirhat , Bhatpara , Dum Dum , Gobardanga , Habra , Halisahar , Garulia , Kamarhati , Kanchrapara , Khardaha , Madhyamgram , Naihati , New Barrackpur , North Barrackpur , North Dumdum , Panihati , 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 , Thakurnagar
Barrackpur Cantonment , New Town
Paschim Bardhaman
Asansol
Asansol , Durgapur
Jamuria , Kulti , Raniganj
Amkula , Andal , Bahula , Ballavpur , Banshra , Baska , Belebathan , Bhanowara , Bilpahari , Chak Bankola , Chapui , Chelad , Chhora , Chittaranjan , Dalurband , Debipur , Dhandadihi , Dignala , Haripur , Harishpur , Hindusthan Cables Town , Jemari , Jemari (J.K. Nagar Township) , Kajora , Kanksa , Kenda , Kendra Khottamdi , Khandra , Konardihi , Kunustara , Mahira , Mandarbani , Murgathaul , Nabgram , Palashban , Pangachhiya (B) , Parashkol , Parasia , Prayagpur , Raghunathchak , Ramnagar , Ratibati , Sankarpur , Sarpi , Siduli , Sirsha , Ukhra
--
Paschim Medinipur
Medinipur
--
Chandrakona , Ghatal , Kharagpur , Kharar , Kshirpai , Medinipur , Ramjibanpur
Balichak , Deuli , Durllabhganj , Kharagpur Railway Settlement
--
Purba Bardhaman
Bardhaman
--
Bardhaman , Dainhat , Guskara , Kalna , Katwa , Memari
Dhatrigram , Gopinathpur , Hatsimla , Panuhat , Patuli , Srirampur , Sukdal , Uttar Goara
--
Purba Medinipur
Tamluk
--
Contai , Egra , Haldia , Panskura , Tamluk
Bahirgram , Dakshin Baguan , Goasafat , Kakdihi , Kolaghat
--
Purulia
Purulia
--
Jhalda , Puruliya , Raghunathpur
Manbazar , Adra , Arra , Balarampur , Barabazar , Chapari , Hijuli , Nabagram , Par Beliya , Santaldih
--
South 24 Parganas
Alipore
--
Baruipur , Budge Budge , Diamond Harbour , Jaynagar Majilpur , Maheshtala , Pujali , Rajpur Sonarpur
Abhirampur , Alipur , Amtala , Asuti , Baharu , Balarampur , Barkalikapur , Basanti , Benjanhari Acharial , Bhangar Raghunathpur , Bhasa , Bidyadharpur , Bilandapur , Birlapur , Bishnupur , Bora Gagangohalia , Bowali , Buita , Chak Alampur , Chak Baria , Chak Enayetnagar , Chak Kashipur , Champahati , Chanddandaha , Chata Kalikapur , Dakshin Raypur , Danga , Daulatpur , Ganye Gangadharpur , Garia , Gaur Daha , Gobindapur , Hanspukuria , Hariharpur , Kalikapur , Kalikapur Barasat , Kalua , Kanganbaria , Kanyanagar , Khodar Bazar , Komarhat , Kriparampur , Magrahat , Mallikpur , Maricha , Mathurapur , Nadabhanga , Nahazari , Naridana , Nimpith , Nischintapur , Panchghara , Patharberia , Petua , Poali , Radhanagar , Ramchandrapur , Ramchandrapur , Rameswarpur , Ramkrishnapur , Raynagar , Sahebpur , Salipur , Samali , Solgohalia , Tulshighata , Uttar Durgapur , Uttar Kalas , Uttar Raypur , Uttarparanij
--
Uttar Dinajpur
Raiganj
--
Dalkhola , Islampur , Kaliaganj , Raiganj
Kas
ba , Nachhratpur Katabari
--
See also
Notes
References
^ "India at a glance: Population Density" . Census of India, 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2008 .
^ "List of Million Plus Cities of India" . Census of India. Retrieved 14 October 2008 .
^ a b c "Push for two new municipalities in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar" . Telegraph India . 13 February 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021 .
^ a b c "রাজ্যে ২ নয়া পুরসভা" . Bartaman (in Bengali). 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021 .
^ a b "Civic polls in Kol & Howrah on Dec 19" . Millennium Post . 9 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021 .
^ a b "Bally Municipality: হাওড়া পুরসভা থেকে আলাদা হয়ে গেল বালি" . ABP Ananda (in Bengali). 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021 .
^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)" . Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008 .
^ a b c "Category, Year of Establishment, Area, SC, ST and total population in ULBs in West Bengal" (PDF) . Department of Municipal affairs, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2008 .
^ "Urban Agglomerations and Cities" (PDF) . Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 . Retrieved 27 March 2012 .
^ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF) . Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 . Retrieved 10 October 2011 .
^ "List of Census Towns, West Bengal, 2001" . Census of India, Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 15 December 2008 .