Siliguri

Map of Darjeeling district (1876) after being considered a "regulated area" by the British government

According to Sailen Debnath, "Siliguri" means a stack of pebbles or stones. Until the 19th century this region was called as "Shilchaguri" when there was dense Dolka forest covering the region. Siliguri was a small agricultural village in the Kingdom of Sikkim. It was captured by the Kingdom of Nepal in 1788, after which Kirati and Nepali Lepchas came to settle in this region.[18]

At that time a river port on Mahananda, South of Siliguri in Phansidewa had an important role in having trade bond with Malda, Bengal and Bihar. This riverine trade line was thus used by the Bhutanese and Sikkimese to bring goods into their mainland.

Siliguri started as a small area in the northern part of city, on the front of Mahananda River, which is now Dagapur. The Treaty of Sugauli in 1815, signed between Britain-Nepal, changed the prospects of Siliguri, and it became a point of transit for the Darjeeling hills and Nepal mainland. From 1815 onwards, Siliguri started growing rapidly as a small city due to its strategic location in trade routes. In 1865, the British captured Darjeeling and the entire Dooars region to build tea plantations and export the produce to England. To scale up exportation they introduced the Siliguri Town railway station which stands to this day, and introduced the Toy train from the station to Darjeeling in 1880. This helped Siliguri gain sub-divisional town status in 1907.[19]

Toy train passing through Siliguri after independence, in 1955

The "Siliguri Corridor" was formed when Bengal was divided into West Bengal and East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) in 1947, with Sikkim later merging with India in 1975.[20] At this point many immigrants came to settle here for better infrastructure, which led to an increased population. Later in 1950 Siliguri achieved municipal status.[21] Keeping in mind the importance of Siliguri, in 1951, the Assam rail link was established with newly made (1949) Meter gauge Siliguri Junction railway station. After few years in 1961 all these stations were connected with broad gauge New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station which later became the most important railway station in Northeast India.[22]

Due to tremendous growth, Siliguri is now far away from its past outlook, becoming the largest and fastest growing city in eastern India after Guwahati. The growth rate of Siliguri was 57.8% during 1971- 1981. Considering this growth, Siliguri came under the Integrated Urban Development Project program in 1981. Siliguri population growth rate rose to 46.8% of 1981–1991. A treaty between India and China for trade through Nathu La Pass, has expedited development and prospects of Siliguri as an international transportation and logistics hub. Later in 1994 Siliguri built a Municipal corporation which has been responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Siliguri. Siliguri has now achieved the status of becoming the 3rd largest city in West Bengal, after Kolkata and Asansol.[23]

Siliguri is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas at a location of 26.71°N 88.43°E / 26.71; 88.43. The city is spread over an area of 260 km² within the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken's neck. The city is surrounded by dense forests towards north and lifeline of Siliguri, Mahananda River flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two halves. Teesta river is not far from the city. Siliguri has an average elevation of 122 metres (400 feet).[24] As Siliguri is located in the Terai region, the soil is sandy in nature with the ratio of sand and silt much higher than clay. This region is very prone to earthquake as there are several fault lines nearby.[25][26][27][28] The Siliguri subdivision is surrounded by Himalayan ranges towards north and towards south by the country Bangladesh, Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal and the Indian state of Bihar. On the east lies Jalpaiguri district and Kalimpong district and bounded on the west by the country of Nepal, thus strategically so important.[29]

Siliguri falls under the humid subtropical climate (Cwa), when using the Köppen climate classification. Warm summers, cooler winters and a severe monsoon defines Siliguri's climate.

Temperature

The average annual temperature in Siliguri is 23.2 °C. In summer, the temperature varies from a minimum of 18-22 °C to a maximum of 28-32 °C.[30] The temperature of the hottest month, August, is 27.1 °C. The temperature in summer sometimes exceeds 35 °C.[31][32][33][34] On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-25 °C, and the minimum drops 6-9 °C.[30] January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.4 °C. The minimum temperature in winter season sometimes drops 5 °C or below.[35][36][37][38] The highest temperature ever recorded in Siliguri is 41.9 °C, recorded on 7 June 2023,[39] while the lowest was recorded on 8 January 2018, when the mercury plummeted to 1.9 °C.[40][41]

Rainfall and other conditions

On an average, Siliguri gets 3340 mm per year.[42] Winters are mostly dry, with the summers being rainy. About 80% of the annual rainfall is felt between June and September, this period is known as monsoons or rainy season in the season cycle. Heavy showers are often felt in May,[43] June,[44] July,[45] August and September.[46] July is the wettest month (804 mm) and January is the driest month (12 mm). The average rainy days in July is 27 and for December and January it is 1. Humidity is high throughout the year.

Bengali is the official language in Siliguri subdivision, including Siliguri city.[56]

In the municipal corporation at the time of the 2011 census, 60.88% of the population spoke Bengali, 25.24% Hindi, 4.66% Nepali, 2.39% Bhojpuri, 1.58% Marwari and 1.24% Urdu as their first language.[55]

Bengalis form the majority linguistic group in the city, followed by Biharis, Marwaris, Punjabis, Nepalis, Odias, and Tribals. According to a 2001 thesis, Bengali speakers had a percentage of 64.25% out of the total population. Of the 30 wards in 2001, their population ranged from 11.71% to 98.96%.[57]

The most commonly followed religion in Siliguri is Hinduism, with Islam being the largest minority religion, followed by small percentage of adherents of Christianity and Buddhism.[58]

Siliguri saw rapid urbanisation under the British rule and that was reflected in its local governance as well. The earliest form of local urban governance was a Sanitation Committee set up in 1915.[59] Its function was to dispose off night soil. Till 1921, most aspects of local governance in Darjeeling district, including Siliguri, was looked after by the Darjeeling Improvement Fund. In 1922, Siliguri Local Board with nominated members was created under the Bengal Local Self Government Act, 1885. In 1938, the Union Board was set up in Siliguri under the Bengal Village Self-Government Act, 1919 and it provided public utilities in the city.

The Municipal Council was set up in 1949 under the Bengal Municipal Act of 1932 with 8 wards.[59] The first chairperson of the municipality was the Sub Divisional Officer, and the local councilors, called 'commissioners' in the then municipal act in effect, were nominated by the state government. After the amendment of the act in 1956, 3/4 of the local representatives were elected, while the remaining nominated by the Deputy Commissioner. The first elected chairperson of Siliguri was Jagdish Chandra Bhattacharya.

In 1994, the municipal council was upgraded to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation with 47 wards.[59] It had five departments then: General Administration, Collection, License, Public Works and Sanitation and Public Health. The corporation now has 23 departments.[60] It has 47 wards, of which 14 wards are in Jalpaiguri district, while the remaining 33 wards are in Darjeeling district.[61] The last municipal elections was in 2015, when Communist Party of India (Marxist) won 23 seats, All India Trinamool Congress won 17 seats, Indian National Congress won 5 seats, Bharatiya Janata Party won 2 seats, while an independent candidate won 1 seat.[62] The mayor of Siliguri for the 5-year term of 2015-20 was Ashok Bhattacharya from CPIM, who was later elected as the local Member of Legislative Assembly as well.[63]

The term of the last elected body of Siliguri Municipal Corporation ended on 7 May, 2,020 but municipal elections could not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[64] A Board of Administrators was established with the outgoing mayor, Ashok Bhattacharya, as the chairperson. This board will take care of the civic utilities of the city till the new municipal body is elected. This follows the establishment of similar boards first in state capital Kolkata and then the rest of the state.[65]

Siliguri is part of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. The last elections for the Lok Sabha took place in 2019, when Raju Bista from Bharatiya Janta Party won the seat.[66] The last elections to the West Bengal Vidhan Sabha took place in 2021. The Member of Legislative Assembly representing Siliguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency is Sankar Ghosh.[67]

Building plans in Siliguri are approved by Siliguri Municipal corporation; for building up to 3 storeys including parking, the Borough Offices give clearance, while for buildings with more than 3 storeys, the Building Department gives the approval.[68] The present City Development Plan 2041 for Siliguri was developed in 2015 as part of the Capacity Building for Urban Development project under the then Ministry of Urban Development by the private consultancy, CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Solutions Limited.[54] Siliguri City comes under Siliguri Jalpaiguri Planning Area and the responsibility of planning and development of the city lies with Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority.

The Public Health Engineering Department of the state government is responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure for water supply, while the Water Supply department of the corporation provides new connections, supplies water, and collects the user charges.[54][69] The Conservancy Environment Department of the corporation provides Solid Waste Management services in the city.[70] Each ward in the city has its own Solid Waste Management committee that takes care of cleanliness at the ward level.[54] The Public Works Department of the corporation and Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority are both responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads in Siliguri.[71][72][73] Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority also prepared the Traffic & Transportation Master Plan 2030 and the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Siliguri Jalpaiguri Planning Area.[74]

Orchid

Sukna forest, Siliguri

Siliguri and surrounding the Sub-Himalayan forests are rich in fauna diversity. The plains of North Bengal (Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar etc.) are surrounded by deep forests. These forests are home of various rare and common species of plants. The forest here is moist Tropical and characterised by dense growth of tall Sal (Shorea robusta). Sal occupies about 80% of all vegetation in these tropical forest.

These forests are categorised by their dominating plant species such as

1) East Himalayan Sal Forest, present on the lower slopes of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary contains Sal, Khair, Simul, Sissoo, Riverine grasslands and various rare species of plants like Orchids

2) East Himalayan Upper Bhabar Sal, mainly present at Jalpaiguri district which is characterised by a dense population of Microstegium chiliatum, Sal . Others are Terminalia tomentosa, and Schima wallichii

3) Eastern Tarai Sal Forest, generally found in lower altitudes compared to other two types of forest. This type of forest characterised by various species of bamboos, ferns, and Sal which is found in Baikunthapur Forest, near Siliguri city.[75]

The rapid growth of the city has led to deforestation, making Siliguri warmer day by day and unbalancing the ecosystem.

Wild Indian elephant at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Siliguri is located in the Terai region ("moist land"), a belt of marshy grasslands and dense tropical deciduous moist forests at the base of Himalaya range which is rich in biodiversity, containing numerous rare species of flora and fauna. These forests are characterised by their distinct wildlife variety. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary near Siliguri is famous for elephants. Sukna is the gateway to this sanctuary, which is 12 km from Siliguri.

These sub-Himalayan forests are the home of various types of wild animals like the elephant, tiger, Indian bison, barking deer, wild pig, monkey, civet, snake, lizard, mountain goat, sambar, chital and fishing cat. These forests are also home of about 243 different bird species like the pied hornbill, egret, kingfisher, drongo, fly catcher, woodpecker and others. Another common sight is migratory water birds.[76]

NH 27 crosses through the heart of the city[77] which is now a part of the AH2 project. Siliguri is the origin of the century-old Hill Cart Road that is NH 110, which connects Siliguri and Darjeeling[78] (77 km) dating from the British period. Siliguri also is the origin of NH 10 which connects Gangtok,[79][80] and NH 12 which connects Pankhabari-Mirik. The highways NH 327, that connects Siliguri — Panitanki and NH 327B connecting Panitanki - Mechi Bridg, are also part of AH2. It connects to adjacent countries through following routes:

• Nepal: via Panitanki
• Bangladesh: via Phulbari
• China: via Nathula, Sikkim
• Bhutan: via Jaigaon

Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus

• Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus: Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus is the main bus terminus serves as bus depot for both Government and private bus service operated by NBSTC.[81] It connects to cities in Sikkim, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya etc. and all other districts and cities in West Bengal including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Malda, Balurghat, Raiganj, Dalkhola, Berhampore, Kolkata, Asansol, Suri etc.[82][83]
• Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus: Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus (Siliguri) is located at the hillcart road in Siliguri. This bus terminus is operated by the Sikkim Government. Buses connecting towns and cities of Sikkim are mainly operated from here. This bus terminus is one of the busiest and most important bus termini in the Siliguri area. Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus (Siliguri), which connects Sikkim.[84][85]
• P. C. Mittal Memorial Bus Terminus: P.C. Mittal Memorial Bus Terminus is a bus terminal located on Sevoke Road, Siliguri, District Darjeeling. Both state owned North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses and private buses towards Dooars areas ply from here.[86]

Being a transportation hub,[87] Siliguri is well connected through railway with almost all parts of the country. There are seven stations that serve the city.

New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station

New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station, established in 1960[88] (station code NJP)[89] is an A1 category[90] broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station under Katihar railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway zone. It is the biggest railway station of Northeast India which serving the city Siliguri. This station is well connected to almost all parts of the country except Goa.[91] This station ranked 10th cleanest railway station in India in a 2016 survey[92] and was among the top 100 booking stations of Indian railway.[93] Many premium services are available, including 1 international Mitali Express, Howrah–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri - Guwahati Vande Bharat Express, 4 Rajdhani Express, 2 Tourist Vistadome Express, 1 Shatabdi Express and 2 Humsafar Express.[94]

Siliguri Junction railway station

Siliguri Junction

Siliguri Junction railway station (station code SGUJ)[95] established in 1949[96] is another major broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station of Siliguri. Until 2011 it was the only triple gauge (broad gauge, meter gauge and narrow gauge) railway station in India.[97] After 2011, the meter gauge was shut down, but the track remains between Siliguri Junction railway station and Bagdogra railway station. Many different cities in India are serviced from this station.[98]

Siliguri Town railway station

Siliguri Town railway station is one of the oldest railway station (station code SGUT)[99] of the region, opened in 1880[100][101] for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy train) connecting Siliguri and Darjeeling. Its importance diminished with the construction of the Siliguri Junction railway station and New Jalpaiguri junction. Siliguri Town railway station is also a broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station, and is halting point for 8 trains only.[102]

Bagdogra railway station

Bagdogra railway station (station code BORA)[103] comes under greater Siliguri metropolitan area. It is 10 km from Siliguri junction and is the third largest railway station after NJP and Siliguri Junction. This station serves Bagdogra and adjacent areas. Bagdogra railway station is on the Siliguri-Aluabari broad gauge single line via Thakurganj. This station is the halting point for 14 trains.[104]

Gulma railway station

Gulma railway station Railway (station code GLMA) is part of the Siliguri Urban area. It is 12 km from Siliguri City center and serves Champasari Anchal and Gulma areas. Gulma railway station is on the New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar-Samuktala Road Line. This station is the halting point of 5 trains. Mainly passenger train halt at in this station.

Matigara Railway Station

Matigara Railway Station (station code MTRA)[105] is situated at Mathapari, West Bengal.[105] Trains passing through this station include MLFC - SGUJ DEMU and SGUJ- MLFC DEMU. This station has a single platform and two tracks; one broad gauge line and one metre gauge line.

Rangapani railway station

Rangapani railway station (station code RNI) is part of the greater Siliguri metropolitan area. It is 14 km from Siliguri City center and serves Rangapani and adjacent areas. Rangapani railway station is on the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri line. This station is a halting point for 2 passenger trains.

Aircraft at Bagdogra International Airport

Bagdogra International Airport is an international airport located towards the west of Siliguri city, operated as a civil enclave at AFS Bagdogra of the Indian Air Force. This airport is a major transport hub in the region, with flights to Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Dibrugarh and has international connectivity with Paro and Bangkok. The airport also has regular helicopter services to Gangtok. Due to its location near Darjeeling hills and Sikkim, Bagdogra international airport sees thousands of tourists annually.

Central government of India confirmed international airport status to this airport in 2002 with limited international operations.[106][107] This is one of the few airports in India with zero sales tax on aviation turbine fuel.[108]

• University of North Bengal, since 1962[109]

General degree colleges[110]

• Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Government College
• Siliguri College, Since 1950
• Kalipada Ghosh Tarai Mahavidyalaya
• Munshi Premchand Mahavidyalaya
• North Bengal St. Xavier's College
• Gyan Jyoti College
• Siliguri College of Commerce
• Siliguri Mahila Mahavidyalaya
• Surya Sen Mahavidyalaya
• Salesian College[111]

Medical colleges

• North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Since 1968
• North Bengal Dental College and Hospital[112]

Engineering colleges

• Siliguri Government Polytechnic College
• Siliguri Institute of Technology
• Surendra Institute of Engineering & Management

Other Colleges

• Inspiria Knowledge Campus

English Medium Schools

• Delhi Public School (CBSE)
• Techno India Group Public School (CBSE)

Army Schools

• Army Public School (Bengdubi & Khaprail)[113]
• Army Public School, Sukna[114]
• Kendriya Vidyalaya Sevoke Road[115]

Kanchanjunga Stadium, a multipurpose stadium, is the main stadium in Siliguri,[157] and is primarily used for football matches, although it has also hosted several cricket matches. It has a capacity of 30,000[158] people at a time. Recently this stadium is all set to get a facelift.[159]

Football:

• This stadium hosted the Federation Cup 2012 matches of India. The first Federation Cup match played on this ground was between Mohun Bagan AC and Churchill Brothers S.C. in 2012.
• The final match of the 2013–14 Santosh Trophy was played at the stadium in March 2014.[160]
• Seven rounds of the 2015 I-League 2nd Division match were played on this ground.[161]
• It also hosted two Kolkata derby matches in 2016 I-league.
• All the matches of 2016 SAFF Women's Championship were played in the Kanchenjunga Stadium.[162]
• Third I-League derby matches were held in this stadium ground in 2017.[163]

Cricket:

• This stadium has hosted 11 Ranji Trophy matches. The first Ranji Trophy played on this ground was between Bengal and Punjab in 2010.
• Two Celebrity Cricket League matches were played here. The first Celebrity Cricket League played on this ground was between the Veer Marathi vs Karnataka Bulldozers and Telugu Warriors vs Bengal Tigers in 2013.

Indoor sports including table tennis, badminton, taekwon-do, lawn tennis and chess are played here. Siliguri is renowned for being the training grounds of table tennis players. This stadium can hold 5000 people at a time. The Senior National Table Tennis Championship[164] was recently organised here.[165] Sports festival, 2017 was also held in this indoor stadium.[166]