Cities and towns in West Bengal


is the state with the second highest population density in India. 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.

Current scenario

India census, 375 cities and towns in West Bengal can be classified in the following categories:
NameCoordinatesAreaStatusPopulation Population DensityImportance
KolkataMunicipal Corporation4496694The capital of West Bengal. It was the capital 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.
HowrahMunicipal Corporation1370448A primarily industrial city in West Bengal, located on the west bank of the Hooghly River, and is the twin city to Kolkata. Headquarter of the Howrah district.
DarjeelingMunicipality107530It is a famous hill station and tourist destination. Also known for its access route, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Darjeeling tea, and historical role of the city as a summer retreat. Headquarter of the Darjeeling district.
KalimpongMunicipality42980It is a hill station in the Kalimpong district. It is known as a tourist destination, especially for its climate, and for its Buddhist monasteries and flower market.
SuriMunicipality67864Situated on the bank of river Mayurakshi, Suri, the headquarters of Birbhum district, is the oldest town built by the British Government in Birbhum district. Suri is renowned for a special sweetmeat called Murabba and Achaar. Pilgrims and travellers visiting Bakreshwar Temple, hot springs in the village of Bakreshwar and "Data Babar Mazaar" in the village of Patharchapuri stays at Suri due to lack of hotel accommodation in those places.
SainthiaMunicipality44601One of the busiest business hubs in West Bengal and business capital of the Birbhum district. From the city, the agricultural products are exported to different parts of the State and also to different parts of the Eastern India. It is a famous tourist destination. The Famous Nandikeshwari Temple, which is one of the Shakti Peethas of Indian subcontinent situated in this city.
BolpurMunicipality80,210Situated on bank of River Ajay, West Bengal,it is educational capital of the Birbhum district. It hosts Viswa Bharati University VBU which was founded by Tagore. It is a famous tourist destination. It arranges its own version of Colors of Holi attracts people from all over.
KharagpurMunicipality207984The fifth largest city of West Bengal is famous for the Indian Institute of Technology. Also has one of the longest railway platform in the world and a major air force base, Kalaikunda nearby. The railway station is one of the best as well as beautiful in India. It is a major industrial city in West Bengal.
BardhamanMunicipality346639Headquarters of the Purba Bardhaman district.
Sixth Largest City Of West Bengal.
AsansolMunicipal Corporation1243414Asansol is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata. An industrial city in the Paschim Bardhaman district known for the IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur, the locomotive works at Chittaranjan and the recently founded Kazi Nazrul University. It is at the heart of the Eastern Coalfields area and hosts the headquarters for the mining company. Asansol serves as the commercial hub for the entire region and operates as the Divisional Headquarters for the Asansol Division of the Eastern Railways.
DurgapurMunicipal Corporation580990An industrial city in the Paschim Bardhaman district, famous for the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, a large industrial city with well-planned roads and townships. It is the second largest city in terms of area.
MurshidabadMunicipality44019It was the capital of Bengal before British Raj.
Malda CityMunicipality313681Headquarter of Malda district and The fifth largest city in state and second in North Bengal, most important trade hub after Siliguri in North Bengal. It is the gateway of North Bengal as well as north-eastern region of India. It was the capital of ancient Bengal from the 5th century BC till the time of Muslim rule. The relics are found at Gaur and Pandua.
SiliguriMunicipal Corporation705579An 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 fourth largest city of the state and the second most important trade hub after Kolkata.
JalpaiguriMunicipality169002Headquarters of the Jalpaiguri district.
RaiganjMunicipality199690Headquarters of the district North Dinajpur.
BalurghatMunicipality164816Headquarters of the district South Dinajpur.
PuruliaMunicipality126815Headquarters of the Purulia district.
BaharampurMunicipality304487Also called Berhampore. It is the headquarters of Murshidabad district.
KrishnanagarMunicipality182010Headquarters of the Nadia district.
BarasatMunicipality287435Headquarters of the North 24 Parganas district.
BarrackporeMunicipality152783The 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.
RanaghatMunicipality234449It is one of the important rail stations in eastern railway and a communication link between north and south Bengal, also a growing market.
BaranagarMunicipality2,45,313The city was originally a Portuguese settlement that become the seat of Dutch trading station and an important river anchorage for Dutch shipping. It houses the Peneti Bagabari of the Tagore family among other historical buildings.
SeramporeMunicipality181842A city of the Danish East India Company.
ChandannagarMunicipal Corporation166867A city built by the French East India Company.
ChinsuraMunicipality179931Headquarters of the Hooghly district.
KalyaniMunicipality100,575The 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.
TamlukMunicipality65306Headquarters of the district Midnapore East.
MedinipurMunicipality169264Headquarters of the district Midnapore West.
NabadwipMunicipality125543Nabadwip was capital of old Bengal. It was a place of culture, literature, religion.Lord Sri Chaityanya was born here making it a holy place for Hindus.
ContaiMunicipality92226Near the tourist attraction, Digha.
Cooch BeharMunicipality77935Headquarters of the Cooch Behar district.
BankuraMunicipality137386Headquarters of the Bankura district.
BishnupurMunicipality67783A city of archeological importance.
HaldiaMunicipality200827Most 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.

List of urban areas (district-wise)

DistrictHeadquartersMunicipal CorporationsMunicipalitiesCensus TownsSpecial Urban Units
AlipurduarAlipurduar--AlipurduarAlipurduar Railway Junction, Bholar Dabri, Chechakhata, Falakata, Jaygaon, Paschim Jitpur, Sobhaganj, Uttar Kamakhyaguri, Uttar Latabari--
BankuraBankura--Bankura, Bishnupur, SonamukhiBarjora, Beliatore, Khatra--
BirbhumSuri--Bolpur, Dubrajpur, Nalhati, Rampurhat, Sainthia, SuriAhmadpur--
Cooch BeharCooch Behar--Dinhata, Koch Bihar, Haldibari, Mathabhanga, Mekliganj, TufanganjBhangri Pratham Khanda, Guriahati, Khagrabari, Kharimala Khagrabari--
Dakshin DinajpurBalurghat--Balurghat, Gangarampur
Buniadpur		----
DarjeelingDarjeelingSiliguriDarjiling, Kurseong, MirikBairatisal, Cart Road, Pattabong Tea Garden, Uttar Bagdogra--
HooghlyChinsurahChandannagarArambag, Bansberia, Baidyabati, Bhadreswar, Champdani, Hugli-Chuchura, Konnagar, Rishra, Serampore, Tarakeswar, Uttarpara KotrungAmodghata, 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--
HowrahHowrahHowrahUluberiaAndul, Ankurhati, Argari, Bagnan, Balaram Pota, Bally, 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--
JalpaiguriJalpaiguri--Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri, MalBanarhat Tea Garden, Gairkata, Mainaguri--
JhargramJhargram--Jhargram----
KalimpongKalimpong--Kalimpong----
KolkataKolkataKolkata------
MaldaMalda City--English Bazar, Old MaldaAiho, Kachu Pukur, Kendua, Gazole, Chanchal, Kaliachak, Sujapur, Manikchak, Ratua, Harish Chandrapur, Bamongola, Habibpur--
MurshidabadBaharampur--Baharampur, Beldanga, Dhulian, Jangipur, Jiaganj Azimganj, Kandi, MurshidabadAnup 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--
NadiaKrishnanagar--Birnagar, Chakdaha, Gayespur, Haringhata, Kalyani, Krishnanagar, Taherpur, Nabadwip, Ranaghat, Santipur, Cooper's CampAistala, Bablari Dewanganj, Baruihuda, Char Brahmanagar, Char Maijdia, Darappur, Jagadanandapur, Karimpur, Kshidirpur, Madanpur, Badkulla, Nasra, Parbbatipur, Phulia, Satigachha--
North 24 ParganasBarasatBidhannagarAshoknagar 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, Rajarhat-Gopalpur, South Dumdum, Taki, TitagarhBamangachhi, Bara Bamonia, Chandpur, Dhakuria, Dhanyakuria, Garshyamnagar, Guma, Ichhapur Defence Estate, Jafarpur, Jetia, Kaugachhi, Maslandapur, Muragachha, Nebadhai Duttapukur, Nokpul, Patulia, Raigachhi, Ruiya, Sadpur, Sonatikiri, Talbandha, ThakurnagarBarrackpur Cantonment
Paschim BardhamanAsansolAsansol, DurgapurJamuria, Kulti, RaniganjAmkula, 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, Kajora, Kanksa, Kenda, Kendra Khottamdi, Khandra, Konardihi, Kunustara, Mahira, Mandarbani, Murgathaul, Nabgram, Palashban, Pangachhiya, Parashkol, Parasia, Prayagpur, Raghunathchak, Ramnagar, Ratibati, Sankarpur, Sarpi, Siduli, Sirsha, Ukhra--
Paschim MedinipurMedinipur--Chandrakona, Ghatal, Kharagpur, Kharar, Kshirpai, Medinipur, RamjibanpurBalichak, Deuli, Durllabhganj, Kharagpur Railway Settlement--
Purba BardhamanBardhaman--Bardhaman, Dainhat, Guskara, Kalna, Katwa, MemariDhatrigram, Gopinathpur, Hatsimla, Panuhat, Patuli, Srirampur, Sukdal, Uttar Goara--
Purba MedinipurTamluk--Contai, Egra, Haldia, Panskura, TamlukBahirgram, Dakshin Baguan, Goasafat, Kakdihi, Kolaghat--
PuruliaPurulia--Jhalda, Puruliya, RaghunathpurManbazar, Adra, Arra, Balarampur, Barabazar, Chapari, Hijuli, Nabagram, Par Beliya, Santaldih--
South 24 ParganasAlipore--Baruipur, Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar Majilpur, Maheshtala, Pujali, Rajpur SonarpurAbhirampur, 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 DinajpurRaiganj--Dalkhola, Islampur, Kaliaganj, RaiganjKasba, Nachhratpur Katabari--