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{{short description|Metropolis in West Bengal, India}} | |||
{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction | | |||
{{pp-move}} | |||
native_name=Siliguri | | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}} | |||
image_map=WikiprojectIndiacities_siliguri.png | | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} | |||
img = Replace this image city.svg | | |||
{{Infobox settlement | |||
latd = 26.72|latNS=N|longd=88.41|longEW=E |<sup>1</sup>| | |||
| name = Siliguri | |||
state_name=West Bengal | | |||
| other_name = | |||
district=] | | |||
| native_name = {{nativename|bn|Shiliguri}} | |||
leader_title=Mayor | | |||
| native_name_lang = bn | |||
leader_name= Prof. Bikash Ghosh | | |||
| settlement_type = ] | |||
number_wards=47 | | |||
| image_skyline = {{multiple image | |||
altitude=122 | | |||
| border = infobox | |||
population_as_of = 2001 | | |||
| total_width = 275 | |||
population_total = 470,275 | | |||
| image_style = | |||
population_density = 41.43 | | |||
| perrow = 2/2/2/2/2/2 | |||
area_magnitude = 9 | | |||
| image3 = Siliguri view.jpg | |||
area_total=6227 | | |||
| image1 = Siliguri view 3.jpg | |||
area_telephone= 0353 | | |||
| image4= Siliguri view 16.jpg | |||
postal_code= 734 001 |there are 16 other post offices they started 734001 to 734017. | |||
| image9 = Siliguri view 5.jpg | |||
website= www.siliguri.com | | |||
| image2= Siliguri view 11.jpg | |||
vehicle_code_range= WB 74 / WB 73 <sup>2</sup>| | |||
| image8= Tourism 3.jpg | |||
footnotes =<sup>1</sup>The coordinates given here are in metric system and based upon the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Map Center 2005 | |||
| image6= Flora fauna 7.jpg | |||
<sup>2</sup> The Vehicle Code given here based upon the Siliguri Sub Divisional Court documentations. | |||
| image5=Siliguri view 17.jpg | |||
| image7= River Teesta, Siliguri, West Bengal, India 09032019.jpg | |||
| image10 = Siliguri city centre.jpg | |||
}} | |||
| image_alt = | |||
| image_caption = '''Clockwise from top left:''' <br />Siliguri aerial view, Science centre entrance, Ewam India Monastery in Siliguri, ], Teesta river, Siliguri art in clock tower, Siliguri city centre, ], ] mountain from Siliguri, Toy train in Siliguri, Siliguri traffic road | |||
| image_map = | |||
| map_alt = | |||
| map_caption = | |||
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3 | |||
| pushpin_label_position = | |||
| pushpin_map_alt = | |||
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal##Location in India | |||
| coordinates = {{coord|26.71|N|88.43|E|display=inline,title}} | |||
| subdivision_type = Country | |||
| subdivision_name = ] | |||
| subdivision_type1 = ] | |||
| subdivision_type2 = ] | |||
| subdivision_type3 = No. of ] | |||
| subdivision_name1 = ] | |||
| subdivision_name2 = {{plainlist| | |||
*], | |||
*]}} | |||
| subdivision_name3 = 47<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801638-siliguri-west-bengal.html|title=Siliguri-no. of wards|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502075612/https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801638-siliguri-west-bengal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| established_title = | |||
| established_date = 1994 | |||
| nickname = ], ], ]<ref name="Gateway">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri-The gateway of Northeast India|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=22 March 2019|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322202252/http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| government_type = ] | |||
| governing_body = ] | |||
| leader_title = Mayor | |||
| leader_name = ] | |||
| leader_title1 = Deputy mayor | |||
| leader_name1 = Ranjan Sarkar | |||
| leader_title2 = ] | |||
| leader_name2 = Akhilesh Chaturvedi, IPS | |||
| leader_title3 = Sub Divisional officer | |||
| leader_name3 = Priyanka Singh, IAS | |||
| unit_pref = Metric | |||
| area_footnotes = <ref name="Siliguri City">{{cite web|title=Siliguri City|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/location|website=sjda.org|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=7 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207215225/https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/location|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WBDMA">{{cite web|url=https://www.sudawb.org/wbdma_oldversion/HTM/DIS/MUNI_COR_Siliguri.htm|title=West Bengal Govt. Department of Municipal Affairs|website=Wbdma.gov.in}}</ref> | |||
| area_urban_km2 = 157 | |||
| area_urban_footnotes = <ref name="Siliguri City"/> | |||
| area_rank = ] in ] | |||
| area_metro_footnotes = <ref name="SJDA">{{cite web|title=SJDA|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/about_profile|website=sjda.org|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201121554/https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/about_profile|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| area_metro_km2 = 2222 | |||
| elevation_footnotes = | |||
| elevation_min_m = 114 | |||
| population_total = 513264<ref name="siligurismc.in">{{cite web |url=http://www.siligurismc.in/ |title=Welcome to Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Siliguri, West Bengal |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608092516/http://www.siligurismc.in/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| population_as_of = 2011 | |||
| population_footnotes = <ref name="WBDMA"/><ref name="censusindia">{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf |title=District Census Handbook Darjiling |work=District Primary Census Abstract, Census of India 2011 |publisher=censusindia.gov |access-date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010204206/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| population_urban = 701,489 | |||
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |publisher=censusindia.gov |access-date=21 October 2011 |archive-date=13 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113152754/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| population_density_km2 = auto | |||
| population_rank = ] in ] | |||
| population_blank1_title = City rank | |||
| population_blank1 = ] in ] | |||
| population_metro = | |||
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="SJDA"/> | |||
| population_demonym = | |||
| timezone1 = ] | |||
| utc_offset1 = +5:30 | |||
| postal_code_type = ] | |||
| postal_code = 734 001-734 015 (city limits), 734 401-734 436(suburbs), 735 133-735 135 | |||
| area_code = 0353, 0354 | |||
| area_code_type = Telephone code | |||
| registration_plate = WB 73/74 | |||
| blank1_name_sec1 = ] constituency | |||
| blank1_info_sec1 = ], ] | |||
| website = {{URL|www.siligurismc.in}}, {{URL|www.siliguri.gov.in}} | |||
| footnotes = <sup>1</sup>The coordinates given here are in metric system and based upon the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Map Center 2005 | |||
<sup>2</sup> The Vehicle Code given here is based upon the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court, Darjeeling District Court and Jalpaiguri District Court documentations. | |||
| elevation_max_m = 140 | |||
| demographics_type1 = Languages | |||
| demographics1_title1 = Official | |||
| demographics1_info1 = ]<ref name="wblangoff">{{cite web|title=Fact and Figures|url=https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/facts-and-figures;jsessionid=JzdD9RHb7aMY5esZPtcsIVLy|website=Wb.gov.in|access-date=10 March 2019|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614062657/https://wb.gov.in/404-page.aspx?aspxerrorpath=%2Fportal%2Fweb%2Fguest%2F404-page.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=Nclm.nic.in|publisher=]|access-date=10 March 2019|page=85|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> | |||
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official | |||
| demographics1_info2 = English<ref name="wblangoff"/> | |||
| blank2_name_sec1 = Literacy | |||
| blank2_info_sec1 = 85.46%<ref name=Cities1Lakhandabove/> | |||
| blank3_name_sec1 = ] | |||
| blank3_info_sec1 = 1000]/951]<ref name=Cities1Lakhandabove>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf| title=Cities having population 1 lakh and above-sex ratio |work=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |page=5 |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203014453/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2022}}</ref> | |||
| blank4_name_sec1 = ] constituency | |||
| blank4_info_sec1 = ], ], ], ] | |||
| blank1_name_sec2 = Police | |||
| blank1_info_sec2 = ] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Siliguri''' {{audio|Siliguri.ogg|pronunciation}} ({{lang-bn|শিলিগুড়ি}} ]) is a rapidly developing metropolis in the ]n ] of ]. It is located in the ] or Chicken's Neck — a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its ]. It is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighboring countries of ], ] and ]. The town hosts over 500,000 domestic and 15,000 foreign visitors annually. It is the commercial nerve center of ]. | |||
'''Siliguri''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɪ|ˈ|l|i|ˌ|ɡ|ʊ|r|i}} {{IPA|bn|ˈʃiliɡuɽi|lang|siliguri.ogg}}), also known as '''Shiliguri''',<ref>{{cite book |title=Faultlines |date=2002 |publisher=Institute for Conflict Management |isbn=978-81-87553-12-0 |page=43 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FoXaAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Shiliguri%22}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Thapar |first1=Santushti Raj |title=A Snapshot on India and its Neighbourhood Relationships |date=29 January 2022 |publisher=FanatiXx Publication |page=185 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=or9bEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Shiliguri%22&pg=PA185 |language=en}}</ref> is a major ] city in ]. It forms ] with the neighbouring district headquarter of ]. The city spans areas of the ] and ]s in the Indian ] of West Bengal. Known as the ''"Gateway of Northeast India"'',<ref name="Gateway"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=C.K |first1=Venugopal |title=Siliguri – The Gateway to North- East |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/outside-kerala/2018/06/30/siliguri-the-gateway-to-north-east.html |access-date=12 July 2022 |magazine=OnManorama |date=24 January 2015 |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712115253/https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/outside-kerala/2018/06/30/siliguri-the-gateway-to-north-east.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Siliguri is popular for three Ts: Tea, Timber and Tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|title=Siliguri- the gateway to the northeast India|website=www.siligurismc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622223257/http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|url-status=live}}</ref> It is located on the banks of the ] and the ] in the foothills of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|title=Siliguri-about location|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430122553/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|url-status=dead}}</ref> Siliguri is the ] largest ] in West Bengal, after ] and ].<ref name=":2">{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122151653/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2020 |access-date = 23 May 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri-description|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608233132/http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Siliguri is situated in ], and though it is the district's largest city, the district headquarters is located at ]. Siliguri is a unique city as 15 out of 47 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation falls in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district. The ], Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Shashatra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Assam Rifles have bases around the town. The Bagdogra Airport is located within the Indian Air Force (IAF) ] area. Siliguri has an Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) oil depot near the southern edge of the town. Siliguri is the second largest city of West Bengal after ]. | |||
Siliguri has great strategic importance in West Bengal, with convenient access to three international borders: ], ] and ]. It also connects the North-East with mainland India. Located in the foothills of ]s, Siliguri is a significant trading and transportation hub.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Siliguri-SMC|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|access-date=4 August 2019|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622223257/http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Geography== | |||
Siliguri is situated at the base of the ] mountains in the plains. It is the largest city in the area (]) and second largest city in West Bengal and connects the ] towns of ], ], ], ] and ] with the rest of India. The ](also known as Mahanadi) flows past Siliguri. Siliguri has three main seasons summer, winter and ]. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 38°C.It is considerably cooler than the southern and central regions of West Bengal. During this season, tourists from all over India stop in Siliguri en route to the cooler climes of the northern hill stations. Winters are relatively cool and temperatures range from a high of 15°C to a low of about 3°C. Light rain and dense ] are seen during this season. During the monsoon season between June and September, the town is lashed by heavy rains often cutting access to the hill stations and ]. The climate is suitable for growing tea and the surrounding region has many tea gardens. The ancient ] is nearby. | |||
Siliguri is one of the fastest growing cities of India. | |||
== |
==History== | ||
]]] | |||
] | |||
Siliguri is described as the gateway to the North East of India. The strategic location of the city makes it a base for essential supplies to the region. Siliguri has gradually developed as a profitable centre for a variety of businesses. As a central hub, many national companies and organizations have set up their offices here. Recently a number of movie-multiplexes are being planned to be opened in Siliguri. The Hong Kong market located here is a chief hub for buying low cost Chinese goods and illegal imported goods, nearby Seth Srilal Market is a prominent place to buy daily use goods, and is very popular among people from nearby areas. 4 "T" s - Tea, Timber, Tourism and Transport are the main businesses of Siliguri. Recently many hotels had mushroomed up & a very good increment had been seen in this sector at past. Siliguri is the headquarters of FOCIN (Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of North Bengal). The latest development is the mushrooming of shopping malls in the city, though multiplexes are yet to arrive. Some popular shopping malls are the Cosmos, City Style, Sun Flower situated on Sevoke road and Vishal Mega Mart on the Burdwan road. | |||
===Etymology=== | |||
] | |||
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. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=History of Siliguri |url=https://www.siligurionline.in/guide/history-of-siliguri }}</ref> | |||
===Modern history=== | |||
Siliguri was a small agricultural village in the ]. It was captured by the ] in 1788, after which ] and ] came to settle in this region.<ref name="History of Siliguri">{{cite web |date=2018 |title=Handbook on Siliguri |url=http://asiscwb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Siliguri-Handbook-1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520082216/http://asiscwb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Siliguri-Handbook-1.pdf |archive-date=20 May 2019 |access-date= |website=asiscwb.org |publisher=Association of Schools for the Indian Schools Certificate}}</ref> | |||
At that time a river port on ], South of Siliguri in ] had an important role in having trade bond with ], ] and ]. This riverine trade line was thus used by the ]ese and ] to bring goods into their mainland. | |||
Siliguri started as a small area in the northern part of city, on the front of ], which is now Dagapur. The ] in 1816, signed between Britain-Nepal, changed the prospects of Siliguri, and it became a point of transit for the ] hills and ] mainland. From 1816 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 ] region to build tea plantations and export the produce to England. To scale up exportation they introduced the ] which stands to this day, and introduced the ] from the station to Darjeeling in 1880. This helped Siliguri gain sub-divisional town status in 1907.<ref name="Historical profile of Siliguri">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvGAG4dYG7qzx6amp2EQYoeahm8EnuSK/view?usp=drivesdk.pdf|title=Modern history of Siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-date=22 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422181608/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvGAG4dYG7qzx6amp2EQYoeahm8EnuSK/view?usp=drivesdk.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] passing through Siliguri after independence, in 1955]] | |||
The ] was formed when ] was divided into ] and ] (later Bangladesh) in 1947, with Sikkim later merging with India in 1975.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sikkim Voters OK Merger With India |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19750416&id=vDogAAAAIBAJ&pg=7319,25549 |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=16 April 1975 |access-date=20 May 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121042224/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19750416&id=vDogAAAAIBAJ&pg=7319,25549 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/about-us.php|title=About Siliguri municipal corporation|website=www.siligurismc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608092419/http://www.siligurismc.in/about-us.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Keeping in mind the importance of Siliguri, in 1951, the Assam rail link was established with newly made (1949) ] ]. After few years in 1961 all these stations were connected with broad gauge ] which later became the most important railway station in Northeast India.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=9788186860441|author=Sailen Debnath|title=The Dooars in Historical Transition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1viSAAACAAJ|date=January 2010|publisher=N.L. Publishers|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041917/https://books.google.com/books?id=K1viSAAACAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Due to tremendous growth, Siliguri is now far away from its past outlook, becoming the largest and fastest growing city in eastern India after ]. 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 ], 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 ] city in ], after ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri in recent days|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=30 April 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501001830/http://siliguri.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Geography == | |||
===Location=== | |||
] | |||
Siliguri is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas at a location of {{coord|26.71|N|88.43|E|}}. The city is spread over an area of 260 km<sup>2</sup> within the ], and has earned a ] the ''Chicken's neck''. The city is surrounded by dense forests towards north and lifeline of Siliguri, ] flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two halves. ] is not far from the city. Siliguri has an average elevation of 122 metres (400 feet).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en-in.topographic-map.com/places/Siliguri-9244903/|title=Topographic map of Siliguri|website=www.topographic-map.com|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041915/https://en-in.topographic-map.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> As Siliguri is located in the ] region, the soil is ]y 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/5-0-magnitude-earthquake-jolts-sikkim-and-parts-of-darjeeling-642797.html|title=Earthquake jolts Sikkim and part of Darjeeling|website=www.news18.com|date=3 October 2013|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012152833/https://www.news18.com/news/india/5-0-magnitude-earthquake-jolts-sikkim-and-parts-of-darjeeling-642797.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Magnitude 6.9 – SIKKIM, INDIA |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |publisher=] |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163147/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/earthquake-in-nepal-and-northern-india-2015-quake-kills-two-injures-20-in-bengal-364193/|title=7.9 magnitude earthquake effected Siliguri heavily|website=www.india.com|access-date=21 May 2019|date=25 April 2015|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205110228/https://www.india.com/news/india/earthquake-in-nepal-and-northern-india-2015-quake-kills-two-injures-20-in-bengal-364193/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nepal-earthquake-india-cities-high-risk-zone-250460-2015-04-27|title=38 cities in India fall in high risk earthquake zones|website=www.indiatoday.in|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113230617/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nepal-earthquake-india-cities-high-risk-zone-250460-2015-04-27|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The ] is surrounded by Himalayan ranges towards north and towards south by the country ], ] district of ] and the Indian state of ]. On the east lies ] and ] and bounded on the west by the country of ], thus strategically so important.<ref name="SiliguriAbout">{{cite web |url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/about.html |title=About Siliguri Subdivision |website=Siliguri.gov.in |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=13 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313030346/http://www.siliguri.gov.in/about.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
=== Climate === | |||
Siliguri falls under the ] (''Cwa''), when using the ]. 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 20-24 °C to a maximum of 30-35 °C.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?WMO=42398&CONT=inin&LAND=IWB&ART=MAX&LEVEL=150|title=Climate of Siliguri|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051042/https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?WMO=42398&CONT=inin&LAND=IWB&ART=MAX&LEVEL=150|url-status=live}}</ref> The temperature of the hottest month, August, is 27.1 °C. The temperature in peak summer sometimes exceeds 38 °C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/siliguri-burning-in-scorching-heat-1.1028383|title=Siliguri burning in schorching heat|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929203506/https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/siliguri-burning-in-scorching-heat-1.1028383|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/june-celsius-scorches-siliguri-hope-for-rain-in-48-hours-as-town-swelters-at-37c/cid/178909|title=Siliguri crossed 36 yesterday|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=22 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422181608/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/june-celsius-scorches-siliguri-hope-for-rain-in-48-hours-as-town-swelters-at-37c/cid/178909|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/state/siliguri-facing-trouble-in-scorching-heat-damaging-tea-leaves-in-doors-1.184013|title=গরমে নাকাল শিলিগুড়ি|access-date=13 October 2020|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112085924/https://www.anandabazar.com/state/siliguri-facing-trouble-in-scorching-heat-damaging-tea-leaves-in-doors-1.184013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/heatwave-likely-to-trouble-people-of-siliguri-for-few-more-days/|title=Heatwave likely to trouble people of Siliguri for few more days|date=5 August 2020|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051042/https://siliguritimes.com/heatwave-likely-to-trouble-people-of-siliguri-for-few-more-days/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-25 °C, and the minimum drops 6-9 °C.<ref name="auto"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.anandabazar.com/archive/1130111/11uttar5.html|title=শীতে কাঁপছে উত্তরবঙ্গ, শিলিগুড়িতে পারদ নামল ৩ ডিগ্রিতে|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051041/http://archives.anandabazar.com/archive/1130111/11uttar5.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/jalpaiguri-shivers-in-30-year-low-relief-from-cold-not-today-says-met-office/cid/348947|title=Siliguri Jalpaiguri shivers from cold|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=22 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422182141/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/jalpaiguri-shivers-in-30-year-low-relief-from-cold-not-today-says-met-office/cid/348947|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aajkaal.in/news/northbengal/siliguri-zszx|title=৪.৪ ডিগ্রি! শিলিগুড়ির চাই রুম হিটার|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820110449/https://aajkaal.in/news/northbengal/siliguri-zszx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/photos/west-bengal/west-bengal-weather-updates-kolkata-winter-temperature-today-175603/|title=রেকর্ড পতন পারদের, কোথায় তাপমাত্রা কত?|date=28 December 2019|access-date=20 October 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021195358/https://bengali.indianexpress.com/photos/west-bengal/west-bengal-weather-updates-kolkata-winter-temperature-today-175603/|url-status=live}}</ref> The highest temperature ever recorded in Siliguri is 41.9 °C, recorded on 7 June 2023,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bengali.oneindia.com/news/west-bengal/weather-news-darjeeling-beats-west-bengal-highest-temperature-bagdogra-41-9-wednesday-190346.html|title=জ্বলছে পাহাড়, ইতিহাসে আজ উষ্ণতম শিলিগুড়ি|access-date=7 June 2023|archive-date=8 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608162137/https://bengali.oneindia.com/news/west-bengal/weather-news-darjeeling-beats-west-bengal-highest-temperature-bagdogra-41-9-wednesday-190346.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while the lowest was recorded on 8 January 2018, when the mercury plummeted to 1.9 °C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/cold-wave-in-ub-1.738273|title=রেকর্ড শীত সমতলে, শিলিগুড়ির পারদ নামল ১.৯ ডিগ্রিতে|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122111336/https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/cold-wave-in-ub-1.738273|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city|title=Siliguri min. temperature January 2018|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124190438/https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
'''Rainfall and other conditions''' | |||
On an average, Siliguri gets above 3000 mm per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?LANG=in&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=42398&PAG=1&CONT=inin&LEVEL=160®ION=0024&LAND=II&INFO=0&R=0&NOREGION=1|title=Rainfall in Siliguri|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018211834/https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?LANG=in&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=42398&PAG=1&CONT=inin&LEVEL=160®ION=0024&LAND=II&INFO=0&R=0&NOREGION=1|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkata24x7.com/heavy-rain-occurred-at-many-places-of-northbengal/|title=প্রবল বৃষ্টিতে ভাসছে উত্তরবঙ্গ, কার্যত বৃষ্টিহীন দক্ষিণ|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017080158/https://www.kolkata24x7.com/heavy-rain-occurred-at-many-places-of-northbengal/|url-status=dead}}</ref> June,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-news-and-analysis/good-monsoon-rains-in-siliguri-and-jalpaiguri-kolkata-to-see-rains-around-june-30/|title=Good Monsoon rains in Siliguri and Jalpaiguri|date=26 June 2019|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019105544/https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-news-and-analysis/good-monsoon-rains-in-siliguri-and-jalpaiguri-kolkata-to-see-rains-around-june-30/|url-status=live}}</ref> July,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Heavy-rainfall-floods-N-Bengal/articleshow/53372097.cms|title=Heavy rain floods in North Bengal|website=]|date=25 July 2016|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027181249/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Heavy-rainfall-floods-N-Bengal/articleshow/53372097.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> August and September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/state/raining-in-north-bengal-south-bengal-want-rain-1.157982|title=ভাসছে উত্তর, বৃষ্টির প্রতীক্ষায় দক্ষিণবঙ্গ|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101124901/https://www.anandabazar.com/state/raining-in-north-bengal-south-bengal-want-rain-1.157982|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. | |||
] | |||
{{Siliguri weatherbox}} | |||
== Demographics == | == Demographics == | ||
{{Historical population | |||
] | |||
| align = center | |||
Siliguri is experiencing a rapid expansion of its population. In a 2001 India ],<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref> the number of residents was 420,275. According to estimates for 2008, 559,275 people live in the city.<ref> from ]</ref>. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Siliguri has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 65%. In Siliguri, 12% of the population is under six years of age. | |||
| source = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21405/siliguri/population|title=Siliguri, India Metro Area Population 1950-2020|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922043902/https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21405/siliguri/population|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| 1951 | 33000 | |||
| 1961 | 66000 | |||
| 1971 | 100000 | |||
| 1981 | 234000 | |||
| 1991 | 367000 | |||
| 2001 | 479000 | |||
| 2011 | 701489 | |||
}} | |||
{{Pie chart | |||
|caption = Religions of Siliguri (2011)<ref name="Religion" /> | |||
|label1 = ] |value1 = 91.98 |color1 = orange | |||
|label2 = ] |value2 = 5.37|color2 = green | |||
|label3 = ] |value3 = 0.94|color3 = dodgerblue | |||
|label4 = ] |value4 = 0.65|color4 = yellow | |||
|label5 = Other or no religion |value5 = 1.05|color5 = black | |||
|thumb = right | |||
}} | |||
{{Pie chart | |||
|thumb = left | |||
|caption = Languages of Siliguri (2011)<ref name="Lang2011">{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Town level |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208005025/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
|label1 = ] |value1 = 60.88 |color1 = orchid | |||
|label2 = ] |value2 = 25.24 |color2 = orange | |||
|label3 = ] |value3 = 4.66 |color3 = lightcoral | |||
|label4 = ] |value4 = 2.39 |color4 = gold | |||
|label5 = ] |value5 = 1.58 |color5 = maroon | |||
|label6 = ] |value6 = 1.24 |color6 = green | |||
|label7 = Others |value7 = 4.01 |color7 = grey | |||
}} | |||
Based on the Census data of 2011, the population of Siliguri UA/Metropolitan (including Siliguri municipal corporation and Dabagram municipality) is 701,489, while the population in the Municipal corporation area is 5,13,264.<ref name="siligurismc.in"/><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=District Census Handbook Darjiling|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Census India|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010204206/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Males constitute 51.44% of the population and females 48.55%. Population shares of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category persons in Siliguri municipal area are 8.84% and 1.25% respectively. The literacy rate in Siliguri is 77.64%.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="censusindia1" /> There are 154 notified and 31 non-notified slums in Siliguri, where 32% of Siliguri's population lives.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Siliguri is a cosmopolitan city with ],], ], ], and ] people living peacefully. The ] people, who originally owned most of the land, have decreased in population. Biharis, Gorkhalis, Marwaris, Punjabis and Bengalis are now the most prominent communities here. Bengali, Hindi and Nepali are the commonly spoken regional languages. | |||
===Languages=== | |||
Siliguri has seen waves of massive immigration over the years. Most prominent being the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. In addition, people from Bihar and other parts of India are also coming to the city in search of livelihood. The influx has led to an abnormally high population growth. | |||
Bengali is the official language in ], including Siliguri city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Bengal Official Language Act, 1961|url=http://www.wbja.nic.in/wbja_adm/files/The%20Bengal%20Official%20Language%20Act,%201961_1.pdf|access-date=7 October 2020|website=West Bengal Judicial Academy|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918234648/http://wbja.nic.in/wbja_adm/files/The%20Bengal%20Official%20Language%20Act,%201961_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the municipal corporation at the time of the 2011 census, 60.88% of the population spoke ], 25.24% ], 4.66% ], 2.39% ], 1.58% ] and 1.24% ] as their first language.<ref name="Lang2011" /> | |||
] form the majority linguistic group in the city, followed by ] (including ]), ], ], ], ], and ]. 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%.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Majumdar |first1=Sudipta |date=2001 |title=Siliguri : An Urban Study In Socio-economic Considerations |journal=Department of Geography and Applied Geography, University of North Bengal |url=https://ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1141/17/164040.pdf |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818103816/https://ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1141/17/164040.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Religion=== | |||
The most commonly followed religion in Siliguri is ], with ] being the largest minority religion, followed by small percentage of adherents of ] and ].<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=census.gov.in |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121012713/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
{{clear}} | |||
== Governance and politics == | |||
=== Civic administration === | |||
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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Chinmayakar|title=People Governance and development a study of Siliguri Municipal corporation area|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/137085|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Shodhganga|hdl=10603/137085|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417093921/http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/137085|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] was set up in 1949 under the Bengal Municipal Act of 1932 with 8 wards.<ref name=":0" /> The first chairperson of the municipality was the Sub Divisional Officer, and the local councillors, 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 ] with 47 wards.<ref name=":0" /> It had five departments then: General Administration, Collection, License, Public Works and Sanitation and Public Health. As of now, the corporation has 23 departments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Departments|url=http://siligurismc.in/departments.php|access-date=30 September 2020|website=siligurismc.in|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929052323/http://www.siligurismc.in/departments.php|url-status=live}}</ref> It has 47 wards, of which 14 wards are in ] district, while the remaining 33 wards are in ] district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Siliguri Municipal Corporation :: About Us|url=http://siligurismc.in/about-us.php|access-date=30 September 2020|website=siligurismc.in|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029134121/http://www.siligurismc.in/about-us.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The last municipal elections were held on 2015, when ] won 23 seats, ] won 17 seats, ] won 5 seats, ] won 2 seats, while an independent candidate won 1 seat.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Iqbal|first=Aadil Ikram Zaki|date=28 April 2015|title=West Bengal municipal corporation result 2015: Trinamool Congress wins 70 municipalities including KMC, BJP fails|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/west-bengal-municipal-corporation-result-2015-trinamool-congress-wins-70-municipalities-including-kmc-bjp-fails-367601/|access-date=30 September 2020|newspaper=India.com | Top Latest News from India, USA and Top National Breaking News Stories|language=en|archive-date=15 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415053025/https://www.india.com/news/india/west-bengal-municipal-corporation-result-2015-trinamool-congress-wins-70-municipalities-including-kmc-bjp-fails-367601/|url-status=live}}</ref> The mayor of Siliguri for the five-year term from 2015 till 2020 was ] from ], who was later elected as the local ] as well.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Civic election results: CPM trumps TMC in Siliguri, but Mamata Banerjee retains supremacy|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/civic-election-results-cpm-trumps-tmc-in-siliguri-but-mamata-banerjee-retains-supremacy/articleshow/49267746.cms|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219111142/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/civic-election-results-cpm-trumps-tmc-in-siliguri-but-mamata-banerjee-retains-supremacy/articleshow/49267746.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The term of the last elected body of Siliguri Municipal Corporation ended on 7 May 2020 but municipal elections could not be held because of the ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|date=17 May 2020|title=Mamata govt. accepts CPI(M) demand, drops TMC councillors from Siliguri Municipal Corporation BOA|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-govt-accepts-cpim-demand-drops-tmc-councillors-from-siliguri-municipal-corporation-boa/article31605907.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218215418/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-govt-accepts-cpim-demand-drops-tmc-councillors-from-siliguri-municipal-corporation-boa/article31605907.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 May 2020|title=After KMC, chiefs of 91 municipalities to continue as administrators|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/kmc-chiefs-91-municipalities-continue-administrators-1502888040.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=The Statesman|language=en-US|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051041/https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/kmc-chiefs-91-municipalities-continue-administrators-1502888040.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituency === | |||
Siliguri is part of the ]. The last elections for the Lok Sabha took place in ], when ] from Bharatiya Janta Party won the seat.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Darjeeling lok sabha election results 2024: Darjeeling Winning Candidates List and Vote Share |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/darjeeling-constituency-result-25504 |magazine=India Today |date=4 June 2024 |access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref> The last elections to the West Bengal Vidhan Sabha took place in ]. The Member of Legislative Assembly representing ] is ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sankar Ghosh {{!}} West Bengal Assembly Election Results Live, Candidates News, Videos, Photos |url=https://www.news18.com/assembly-elections-2021/west-bengal/sankar-ghosh-siliguri-candidate-s25a026c004/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=News18 |archive-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402115143/https://www.news18.com/assembly-elections-2021/west-bengal/sankar-ghosh-siliguri-candidate-s25a026c004/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Civic services and infrastructure === | |||
] | |||
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Building Department|url=http://siligurismc.in/building-department.php|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Municipal Corporation|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812000234/http://www.siligurismc.in/building-department.php|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] by the private consultancy, ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=City Development Plan for Siliguri – 2041|url=http://siligurismc.in/userfiles/file/siliguri-CDP-final-report-29April15.pdf|access-date=1 October 2020|website=Siliguri Municipal Corporation|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019204048/http://siligurismc.in/userfiles/file/siliguri-CDP-final-report-29April15.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Siliguri City comes under Siliguri Jalpaiguri Planning Area and the responsibility of planning and development of the city lies with ]. | |||
The Public Health Engineering Department of the ] 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.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Water Supply Department|url=http://siligurismc.in/water-supply-department.php|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Municipal Corporation|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808083625/http://www.siligurismc.in/water-supply-department.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The Conservancy Environment Department of the corporation provides Solid Waste Management services in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conservancy Environment|url=http://siligurismc.in/conservancy-environment.php|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Municipal corporation|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808085945/http://www.siligurismc.in/conservancy-environment.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Each ward in the city has its own Solid Waste Management committee that takes care of cleanliness at the ward level.<ref name=":1" /> The Public Works Department of the corporation and ] are both responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads in Siliguri.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Works Department|url=http://siligurismc.in/public-works-department-pwd.php|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Municipal Corporation|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808082006/http://www.siligurismc.in/public-works-department-pwd.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Completed Projects|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/completed_projects|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212224555/https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/completed_projects|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=On Going Projects|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/ongoing_projects|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214184620/https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/ongoing_projects|url-status=live}}</ref> Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority also prepared the Traffic & Transportation Master Plan 2030 and the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Siliguri Jalpaiguri Planning Area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notice No. 11113-14/ Plg/ SJDA dated 04.07.2013|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/AdminViews/images/3211.pdf|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331062702/https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/AdminViews/images/3211.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Flora and fauna == | |||
=== Flora === | |||
] | |||
] | |||
Siliguri and surrounding the Sub-Himalayan forests are rich in fauna diversity. The plains of North Bengal (Siliguri, ], ] etc.) are surrounded by deep forests. These forests are home of various rare and common species of plants. The forest here is moist ] and characterised by dense growth of tall Sal (]). 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 ] contains ], ], ], ], Riverine grasslands and various rare species of plants like ] | |||
2) ] Upper Bhabar Sal, mainly present at Jalpaiguri district which is characterised by a dense population of Microstegium chiliatum, ]. Others are ] and ]. | |||
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 ], ], and ] which is found in Baikunthapur Forest, near Siliguri city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westbengalforest.gov.in/|title=West Bengal Forest Department|website=Westbengalforest.gov.in|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605101303/http://westbengalforest.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The rapid growth of the city has led to deforestation, making Siliguri warmer day by day and unbalancing the ecosystem. | |||
=== Fauna === | |||
] at ]]] | |||
Siliguri is located in the ] 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. ] 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 ], ], ], ], wild pig, monkey, ], snake, lizard, mountain goat, ], chital and ]. These forests are also home of about 243 different bird species like the ], ], kingfisher, drongo, fly catcher, woodpecker and others. Another common sight is migratory water birds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbtourism.tripod.com/flora_and_fauna_of_north_bengal.htm|title=FLORA AND FAUNA OF NORTH BENGAL|website=Nbtourism.tripod.com|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=21 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321204805/http://nbtourism.tripod.com/flora_and_fauna_of_north_bengal.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Transport == | == Transport == | ||
===Road=== | |||
] Local public transport include city buses, ]s and ]s and ]s (tempos) and city autos. There is no metered taxi or auto-rickshaw. While 6-seater City Autos ply between two fixed destinations of about 10-15 km away, one can hire petrol-driven auto rickshaws from auto-stands at a rate fixed by the Municipal Authorities. | |||
] crosses through the heart of the city<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalhighway.net/asia/national-highway-27-india-nh27/|title=National Highway 27 (India) -NH27|date=15 August 2017|website=Nationalhighway.net|access-date=21 March 2019}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> which is now a part of the ] project. Siliguri is the origin of the century-old Hill Cart Road that is ], which connects Siliguri and Darjeeling<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nhai.org/Doc/project-offer/Highways.pdf |title = NH wise Details of NH in respect of Stretches entrusted to NHAI |access-date = 8 June 2019 |publisher = ] (NHAI) |archive-date = 25 February 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090225142615/http://www.nhai.org/Doc/project-offer/Highways.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> (77 km) dating from the British period. Siliguri also is the origin of ] which connects Gangtok,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2011/E_574_2012_016.pdf|title=New Numbering of National Highways notification - Government of India|website=]|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504155047/http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2011/E_574_2012_016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://morth.nic.in/showfile.asp?lid=2924|title=State-wise length of National Highways (NH) in India|website=]|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604032801/https://morth.nic.in/showfile.asp?lid=2924|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] which connects Pankhabari-Mirik. The highways NH 327, that connects Siliguri — Panitanki and NH 327B connecting Panitanki - Mechi Bridg, are also part of ]. It connects to adjacent countries through following routes: | |||
* ]: via ] | |||
* ]: via ] | |||
* ]: via ], ] | |||
* ]: via ] | |||
=== |
===Bus service=== | ||
] | ]]] | ||
* '''Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus:''' ] is the main bus terminus serves as bus depot for both Government and private bus service operated by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbstc.in/pages/depot.aspx|title=NBSTC depot|website=nbstc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608070610/http://nbstc.in/pages/depot.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> It connects to cities in ], ], ], ], ] etc. and all other districts and cities in ] including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and the SBSTC headquarters ] etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbstc.in/index2.aspx|title=NBSTC details information|website=www.nbstc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608070612/http://www.nbstc.in/index2.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/urban-mission-buses-for-plains/cid/1579280|title=Urban mission buses for plains|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408052547/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/urban-mission-buses-for-plains/cid/1579280|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Siliguri has three important railway stations: | |||
* '''Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus:''' ] is located at the hill-cart road in Siliguri. This bus terminus is operated by the ]. 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. ], which connects ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sntd.in/PDF/BusSchedule.pdf|title=SNT bus schedule|website=www.sntd.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608070953/http://www.sntd.in/PDF/BusSchedule.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sntd.in/|title=SNT bus terminus|website=www.sntd.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608071614/http://www.sntd.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* '''P. C. Mittal Memorial Bus Terminus:''' ] is a bus terminal located on Sevoke Road, Siliguri, District Darjeeling. Both state owned ] (NBSTC) buses and private buses towards ] areas ply from here.<ref>{{cite web |title=PCM Group of Industries - P.C. Mittal Memorial Bus Terminus |url=http://www.pcmgroup.co.in/csr_bus_terminus.html |website=pcmgroup.co.in |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909055852/http://www.pcmgroup.co.in/csr_bus_terminus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Rail=== | |||
1. Siliguri Town - This is the oldest station in the area. Opened on 23 Aug, 1880 during the ], this station used to be the terminus for the trains coming from ], and the starting point for the world-famous ] for journey to ]. It is this station where such world-renowned personalities as Rabindranath Tagore, Chittaranjan Das and Subhash Chandra Basu set their feet on their way to Darjeeling and other places. | |||
Being a transportation hub,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/darjeeling/siliguri/ps36109242.cms|title=Siliguri a transportation hub|website=]|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208233239/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/darjeeling/siliguri/ps36109242.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 | |||
], established in 1960<ref name=njp>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |title=History of New Jalpaiguri Junction |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927053828/https://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (station code NJP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=N&page=2|title=New Jalpaiguri junction station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=13 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613172546/http://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=N&page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> is an A1 category<ref name="Statement showing category-wise No. of stations">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI%26ACategoryStns.pdf|title=Railway station category|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128044328/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI%26ACategoryStns.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station under ] of ]. It is the biggest railway station of Northeast India serving the city Siliguri. This station is well connected to almost all parts of the country except ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|title=New Jalpaiguri junction railway station-connectivity|website=www.erail.in|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606094945/https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|url-status=live}}</ref> This station ranked 10th cleanest railway station in India in a 2016 survey<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20160318/2819608.html|title=NFR's NJP ranked 10th cleanest railway station|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605124610/https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20160318/2819608.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was among the top 100 booking stations of Indian railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|title=New Jalpaiguri junction railway station-information|website=www.erail.in|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606094945/https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|url-status=live}}</ref> Many premium services are available, including 1 international ], ], ], ], 4 ], 2 Tourist Vistadome Express, 1 ] and 2 Humsafar Express.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/new-jalpaiguri-junction-njp/444|title=About New Jalpaiguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605133528/https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/new-jalpaiguri-junction-njp/444|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
]]] | |||
;Siliguri Junction | |||
] (station code SGUJ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|title=Siliguri junction station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050202/http://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|url-status=live}}</ref> established in 1949<ref name=SGUJ>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |author=Alastair Boobyer |title=India: the complex history of the junctions at Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927053828/https://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |title=Surviving as a meter gauge line in the broad gauge era |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927053828/https://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/siliguri-junction-sguj/445|title=About Siliguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605133428/https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/siliguri-junction-sguj/445|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
;Siliguri Town railway station | |||
2. Siliguri Junction - This station opened in 1949, and used to be the point of departure of all trains to the north-eastern states, until the ] was extended to ]. Siliguri Junction is the only station<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-trivia.html#gauge | title=IRFCA Trivia:Does any station have all three gauges present?}}</ref> | |||
] is one of the oldest railway station (station code SGUT)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|title=Siliguri Town station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050202/http://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|url-status=live}}</ref> of the region, opened in 1880<ref>{{cite web|url=https://1001things.org/siliguri-town-railway-station-west-bengal-india/|title=Siliguri Town railway station|access-date=6 June 2019|date=11 August 2014|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606073607/https://1001things.org/siliguri-town-railway-station-west-bengal-india/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |author=Alastair Boobyer |title=India: the complex history of Siliguri Town railway station |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927053828/https://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |url-status=live }}</ref> for the ] (Toy train) connecting Siliguri and Darjeeling. Its importance diminished with the construction of the Siliguri Junction railway station and New Jalpaiguri junction. ] is also a broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station, and is halting point for 8 trains only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/siliguri-town-sgut/1602|title=About Siliguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606070416/https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/siliguri-town-sgut/1602|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
in India with all tracks of all the three gauges used in India. | |||
;Bagdogra railway station | |||
3. ] - Opened in 1961 as a totally greenfield project 6 km south of Siliguri. Initially named New Siliguri (but, later renamed New Jalpaiguri as it is located in ]) this is now the most important station in the region. This station connects Siliguri to every nook and corner of the country by railway. The city has now been expanded and included New Jalpaiguri as one of its ward of Siliguri Municipal Corporation. The Darjeeling Himalayan Toy train is the main attraction of this station. | |||
] (station code BORA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/baghdogra-bora-station|title=Bagdogra railway station code|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606090140/https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/baghdogra-bora-station|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 ] via ]. This station is the halting point for 14 trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amp.indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/bagdogra-bora/5312|title=About Bagdogra railway station|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605133455/http://amp.indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/bagdogra-bora/5312|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
;Gulma railway station | |||
With the extension of broad-gauge railway track to the Siliguri Junction station, people can now travel directly to the heart of the city without having to alight at New Jalpaiguri. This new broad-gauge track extends to the old Dooars metre-gauge track up to ] and beyond. Travelling over this railway line is a beautiful experience as it passes through the picturesque tea gardens of the Dooars area in the backdrop of Darjeeling and Bhutan hills. | |||
] 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 ]. This station is the halting point of 5 trains. Mainly passenger train halt at in this station. | |||
;Matigara Railway Station | |||
] (station code MTRA)<ref name="Matigara">{{cite web |title=Matigara Railway Station (MTRA) : Station Code, Time Table, Map, Enquiry |url=https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/matigara-mtra-station |website=www.ndtv.com |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729160318/https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/matigara-mtra-station |url-status=live }}</ref> is situated at Mathapari, West Bengal.<ref name="Matigara"/> 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.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} | |||
;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 ]. This station is a halting point for 2 passenger trains. | |||
=== Air === | === Air === | ||
]]] | |||
], situated about 15 km away is the closest ]. The airport, since falls within Air Force area (having some restrictions over length of runways and time of flight, etc.), is not well connected to most Indian cities. However, daily flights are available for the state capital ], ], and ]. The Bagdogra airport is poised to become an international airport in the near future. Only then people of this region will be able to visit neighbouring capitals like Kathmandu, Dhaka, Thimphu which will in turn boost tourism in North Bengal and Sikkim. A regular ] service links Siliguri to ]. | |||
] is an ] located towards the west of Siliguri city, operated as a ] at AFS Bagdogra of the ]. This airport is a major transport hub in the region, with flights to ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and has international connectivity with ] and ]. The airport also has regular ] services to ]. Due to its location near ] hills and ], the Bagdogra Airport sees thousands of tourists annually. | |||
Central government of India confirmed ] status to this airport in 2002 with limited international operations.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/International-status-to-Bagdogra-airport-hailed/articleshow/24001049.cms| title= International status to Bagdogra airport| work= The Times of India| date= 2 October 2002| access-date= 27 April 2019| archive-date= 5 January 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170105110717/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/International-status-to-Bagdogra-airport-hailed/articleshow/24001049.cms| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Night-landing facility at Bagdogra soon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/night-landing-facility-at-bagdogra-soon/articleshow/5450515.cms |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=16 January 2010 |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729160318/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Night-landing-facility-at-Bagdogra-soon/articleshow/5450515.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> This is one of the few airports in India with zero sales tax on aviation turbine fuel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.Vbar1fmqqko|title=Bagdogra backs CM flight path- Tax waiver fuels air traffic growth |last=Mandal |first=Sanjay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728095856/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.VbdSZdj7SUk |archive-date=28 July 2015 |access-date = 27 April 2019}}</ref> | |||
==Educational facilities== | |||
=== Bus === | |||
]]] | |||
]The ] Central Bus Terminus situated next to the Siliguri Junction Railway Station is a major stop for most private and state-owned buses in the region. The ] also operates buses from Siliguri to its border town ]. ] also link Siliguri to neighbouring hill towns like ], ], ], ], ], Jorethang, Namchi. | |||
{{multiple image | |||
| perrow = 2 | |||
| total_width = 400 | |||
| caption_align = center | |||
| image1 = Edu 2.jpg | |||
| caption1 = ] administrative building. | |||
| image2 = Edu 14.jpg | |||
| caption2 = North Bengal St. Xavier's College. | |||
| image3 = Edu 3.jpg | |||
| caption3 = Surendra Institute of Engineering and Management. | |||
| image4 = Edu 4.jpg | |||
| caption4 = Don Bosco School, Siliguri. | |||
}} | |||
===University=== | |||
The ] buses run to various destinations of ] from the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) bus station near the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus. There is another Bus Terminus named P C Mittal Bus Stand on Sevoke Road. All Buses heading for the ] region ''via'' the Sevoke Coronation Bridge originate here. | |||
* ], since 1962<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/educational-institutions.php|title=General list of universities in Siliguri|website=www.siligurismc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608093553/http://www.siligurismc.in/educational-institutions.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Colleges=== | ||
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a college to this list if it already has its own article on the English Misplaced Pages ♦♦♦---> | |||
] | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦---> | |||
A new four-lane road, named Vivekananda Road, has been rebuilt connecting Burdwan Road to Mahabirsthan bringing much relief to the chaotic section of the city. The road is planned to join to the west with ], through the proposed 4th Mahananda Bridge which is scheduled to come up by March,2010. The eastern wing of the Vivekananda Road will connect the Eastern by-pass, thus fulfilling a major demand of the vehicular traffic. Also a newly constucted fly-over over the Rail Gate connecting Hashmi Chowk to Mahabirsthan, provide seamless communication from the Station Feeder Road in the South and Deshbandhu Road in the East to the Hill Cart Road in the central part of the city. | |||
;General degree colleges<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/educational-institutions.php|title=General list of colleges in Siliguri|website=www.siligurismc.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608093553/http://www.siligurismc.in/educational-institutions.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*] | |||
*], Since 1950 | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salesiancollege.in/|title=Salesian college, Siliguri|website=www.salesiancollege.in|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516135617/http://www.salesiancollege.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
; Medical colleges | |||
National Highway no. 31, 31A passes through Siliguri. | |||
*], Since 1968 | |||
*]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbdch.in/about.php|title=North Bengal Dental college & hospital - nbdc, nbdch, North Bengal Dental college & hospital, nbdch.in, dental college in siliguri, dental college in hospital|website=Nbdch.in|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430104558/http://www.nbdch.in/about.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
; Engineering colleges | |||
==Politics== | |||
*] College | |||
Ashok Narayan Bhattacharya of ] has won the Siliguri seat four times in a row, defeating his nearest rivals, Nantu Paul of ] in 2006, Prasanta Nandy of ] in 2001, Sankar Malakar of INC in 1996 and Prasanta Nandy of INC in 1991. Gour Chakraborty of CPI(M) defeated Prasanta Nandy of INC in 1987. Biren Bose of CPI(M) defeated Krishnendra Narayan Choudhury of INC in 1982, and Arun Kumar Moitra of INC in 1977. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eci.gov.in/electionanalysis/AE/S25/partycomp25.htm | |||
*] | |||
| title = 25 Siliguri Assembly Constituency | |||
*] | |||
| accessdate = 2008-02-01 | last = | first = | work = Partywise comparison since 1977 | publisher = Election Commission of India}}</ref> | |||
;Other Colleges | |||
Ashok Bhattacharya is now the Minister-in-Charge, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal. | |||
*] | |||
Siliguri assembly constituency is part of ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf | title = General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies | accessdate = 2007-10-08 | last = | first = | work = West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India}}</ref> | |||
===Schools=== | |||
Mr. Bikash Ghosh of CPI(M) is the Mayor of Siliguri for his third consecutive term. | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a school to this list if it already has its own article on the English Misplaced Pages ♦♦♦---> | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦---> | |||
; English Medium Schools | |||
*] (CBSE) | |||
*Don Bosco School (CISCE)<ref>{{cite web |title=DON BOSCO SCHOOL {{!}} SILIGURI |url=https://dbssiliguri.in/ |website=dbssiliguri.in |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> | |||
*] (CBSE) | |||
;Army Schools | |||
*] (Bengdubi & Khaprail)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apsbengdubi.org/|title=Army Public School, Bengdubi|website=Apsbengdubi.org|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129071019/http://apsbengdubi.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*], Sukna<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apssukna.com/|title=Army Public School, Sukna|website=Apssukna.com|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309112449/http://www.apssukna.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kvsevokeroad.in/|title=Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sevoke Road :: Home Page|website=Kvsevokeroad.in|access-date=21 March 2019|archive-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314065522/http://www.kvsevokeroad.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== |
==Media== | ||
], ], ], ] and ] are the five most popular sports here. People are football crazy and support the local clubs. The ''Kanchenjungha Stadium'' is the city's only outdoor stadium and matches are regularly held here. The Stadium houses the Sports Authority of India (SAI) sports hostel for athletes. There is an indoor stadium at Deshbandhupara in the southern part of the city. This new stadium has facilities for lawn tennis, badminton and table tennis as well as other indoor sports. However, the city is best known for being the training grounds for many Table Tennis players. Siliguri has produced quite a few National Champions like ], the Gold Medal winner in the 1996 and 1999 ], Subhajit Saha (2007), Nandita Saha (Juniors,2000). In recent years the close proximity of the ] has made Siliguri a destination for the adventure sports (White Water Rafting) enthusiasts.] (]) celebrated his fist class debut for Bengal with a century on debut in the Ranji Trophy against Hyderabad. This wicket-keeper from ], ] in North Bengal possesses an extremely safe pair of hands and his performances for Bengal have been rewarded with a place in the East Zone teme. He has also been selected for ] in the ].> | |||
; Newspaper: Various ] language ] including '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/north%20bangal/2019-06-06/72/Page-1.html|title=The Telegraph Siliguri edition epaper|website=epaper.telegraphindia.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408072603/https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/north%20bangal/2019-06-06/72/Page-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'', '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.thestatesman.com/t/9248|title=The Statesman Siliguri edition|website=www.uttarbangasambad.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607062456/https://epaper.thestatesman.com/t/9248|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'', and '']'' are widely circulated throughout the city. Several ] language newspapers including '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uttarbangasambad.in/|title=Uttarbanga Sambad Siliguri edition|website=www.uttarbangasambad.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607062206/http://uttarbangasambad.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/topic/siliguri|title=Anandabazar Patrika Siliguri edition|website=www.anandabazar.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607062239/https://www.anandabazar.com/topic/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bartamanpatrika.com/contact.php?cID=39|title=Bartaman Patrika Siliguri edition|website=www.bartamanpatrika.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607063358/http://www.bartamanpatrika.com/contact.php%3FcID%3D39|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Uttarer Saradin'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highmediaindia.com/Media/contact_us.html|title=Uttarer Saradin-High Media Infotainment India Ltd.|website=www.highmediaindia.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021054719/http://www.highmediaindia.com/Media/contact_us.html|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'', ''Pratidin'', and '']''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangla.ganashakti.co.in/#page1|title=Ganashakti patrika Siliguri edition|website=bangla.ganashakti.co.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=13 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613235544/http://bangla.ganashakti.co.in/#page1|url-status=live}}</ref> and Nepali Paper Himalaya Darpan<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Himalaya Darpan |url=http://epaperhimalayadarpan.com/ |website=Himalaya Darpan}}</ref> are available. The leading Hindi dailies '']''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.prabhatkhabar.com/t/6235/Siliguri-City/?s=si|title=Prabhat Khabar Siliguri edition|website=epaper.prabhatkhabar.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607063759/https://epaper.prabhatkhabar.com/t/6235/Siliguri-City/?s=si|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/west-bengal/siliguri/|title=Prabhat Khabar newspaper-Siliguri news|website=epaper.prabhatkhabar.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703211030/https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/west-bengal/siliguri/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Janpath Samachar''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janpathsamachar.com/epaper.php?pageid=page1&date=070619|title=Janpath Samachar Siliguri edition epaper|website=www.janpathsamachar.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> are also published from Siliguri. The online based news portals: ''Siliguri Times'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/category/news/siliguri/amp/|title=SiliguriTimes-news portal|website=www.siliguritimes.com|access-date=26 April 2019|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408100025/https://siliguritimes.com/category/news/siliguri/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Khabar Arohan'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://khabararohan.in/|title=KhabarArohan|website=www.khabararohan.in|access-date=26 April 2019|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711073425/https://khabararohan.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Bong Siliguri Times'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bongsiliguritimes.com/ |title=''Bong Siliguri Times'' |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627165946/https://bongsiliguritimes.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''CCN News'', ''The Siliguri Journal'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://siligurijournal.com/ |title=''The Siliguri Journal '' |access-date=14 July 2024 |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703203849/https://www.siligurijournal.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Siliguri Barta'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.siliguribarta.com/ |title=''Siliguri Barta'' |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704014258/https://www.siliguribarta.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''Times of North'' provide live updates regarding Siliguri and adjacent areas. | |||
Bikes / Motorcycles too are a favorite sports of the young generation of Siliguri. To cater the needs http://xKmph.com - An Indian Bikers Community runs an offline Base to bring all the bikers from all over Siliguri and neignbouring cities together and spread the news of Biking. Teach traffic Rules, Group Riding, Touring, Stunts and teaching how to ride is their activity. Its a non-profit organisation. All Boys and Girls who are really interested in the motorcycles/bikes/scootis or any too wheelers are always welcomed. | |||
;Radio : ] Siliguri was commissioned in 1963 as an additional station of ].<ref name="AIR Siliguri-history">{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=AIR Siliguri-history|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628230518/http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has two groups of transmitters: high power BEL HMB 140 (AM) -2 and medium range GCEL 136 (FM) - 2 , for broadcasting programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/technical.html|title=AIR Siliguri-technical information|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=30 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330041911/http://airsiliguri.in/technical.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Prantik'' was the first program broadcast from here in 1969.<ref name="AIR Siliguri-history"/> In the course of time many notable individuals like ], ], ], ], ], ], and Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi have visited ] Siliguri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=Notable individuals visited AIR Siliguri|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628230518/http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Popular programs executing from here are ''Pratyusha'', ''Yuva Anusthan'', ''Grame Ganje'', ''Mahila Majlis'', ''Mananiyeshu'', ''Sishumahal'' and ''Arogya''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=Programs list of AIR Siliguri|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628230518/http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two radio channels are operated from ] Siliguri through which programs are broadcasting daily: | |||
==Education== | |||
{{Cleanup|date=October 2007}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width:30%;" | |||
Siliguri has always been the “hub” of education in the Terrai as well as the Dooars region. Apart from the residents of the town, students even from states like Sikkim, Nagaland and Assam come here to pursue education. While previously there had been just a handful of schools, of late, there has been a spurt in the same, with schools coming up in every nook and corner, catering to the ICSE, ISC, Central and West Bengal Secondary and Higher Secondary courses. However, the ones that have stood the test of time and worth mentioning out here are: | |||
|- | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| No. | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Name<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airsiliguri.in/station-profile.html|title=AIR Siliguri- broadcasting channels|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628230642/http://airsiliguri.in/station-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Frequency<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airsiliguri.in/station-profile.html|title=AIR Siliguri- frequency details|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628230642/http://airsiliguri.in/station-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Language | |||
|- | |||
|01|| Primary Channel (PC) || PC: 421.9 Metres 711 kHz (Medium wave) || Bengali | |||
|- | |||
|02|| Vividh Bharati Service (VBS) || VBS: 101.4 MHz (High wave) || Bengali/Hindi | |||
|} | |||
:In addition to the ], Siliguri has several private FM radio channels: | |||
** ] | |||
** Tarai Tarapada Adarsha Vidyalaya | |||
** Siliguri Girls High School | |||
** Hindi High School | |||
** Army School(Bengdubi & Khaprail) | |||
** Margaret (S.N.) English High School | |||
** Don Bosco School (for boys) | |||
** St. Joseph’s School (for girls) | |||
** Lincoln High School. | |||
** St. Joseph's Convent | |||
** Nirmala Convent School(for girls) | |||
** Mahbert High School | |||
** Kendriya Vidyalayas(4 in no.) | |||
** Royal Academy | |||
** Modella Caretaker School | |||
** Saktigarh Bidyapith|Saktigarh Vidyapith (H.S) | |||
** Delhi Public School | |||
** New St. Johns High School | |||
** Auxilium convent School | |||
** Isabella high School | |||
''The list is not in any order of merit, academic or extra curricular.'' | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; width:30%;" | |||
|- | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| No. | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Name<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiawaves.net/india/west-bengal-radio.htm#siliguri-radio|title=Siliguri FM channels names|website=www.asiawaves.net|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404040641/https://www.asiawaves.net/india/west-bengal-radio.htm#siliguri-radio|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://radio-asia.org/fm/fm.php?itu=India®ion=WB|title=FM stations in West Bengal|website=www.radio-asia.org|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330042418/https://radio-asia.org/fm/fm.php?itu=India®ion=WB|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Frequency<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiawaves.net/india/west-bengal-radio.htm#siliguri-radio|title=Siliguri FM channels frequency|website=www.asiawaves.net|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404040641/https://www.asiawaves.net/india/west-bengal-radio.htm#siliguri-radio|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
! style="background:Pink; color:Black; text-align:center;"| Language | |||
|- | |||
|01|| Nine FM || 91.9 FM || Hindi | |||
|- | |||
|02|| Radio High<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohigh927fm.com/|title=Radio High 92.7 FM channel Siliguri|website=www.radiohigh927fm.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330095455/http://www.radiohigh927fm.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> || 92.7 FM || Hindi | |||
|- | |||
|03|| ] || 93.5 FM || Hindi | |||
|- | |||
|04|| Radio Misty || 94.3 FM || Bengali | |||
|- | |||
|05|| Radio Mirchi || 98.3 FM || Bengali | |||
|- | |||
|06|| Air Rainbow<ref>{{cite web|url=https://onlineradiofm.in/west-bengal/kurseong/fm-rainbow|title=Air rainbow Kurseong-Siliguri FM channel names|website=www.onlineradiofm.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607070700/https://onlineradiofm.in/west-bengal/kurseong/fm-rainbow|url-status=live}}</ref> || 102.3 FM || Hindi/English | |||
|} | |||
;Television: Siliguri receives almost all the television channels received by rest of the country. Apart from the national terrestrial network ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddbangla.gov.in/|title=DD Bangla-State owned channel|website=www.ddbangla.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607090806/http://www.ddbangla.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://doordarshan.gov.in/|title=Doordarshan national|website=www.doordarshan.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621155510/https://doordarshan.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> cable TV serves most of the houses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://main.trai.gov.in/siliguri-internet-cable-tv-private-limited|title=Siliguri Internet & Cable TV Private Limited|website=main.trai.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607085841/https://main.trai.gov.in/siliguri-internet-cable-tv-private-limited|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cccom.in/|title=CCN Siliguri cable network|website=www.cccom.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607085142/http://www.cccom.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> Siliguri also receives some Nepali<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abntv.in/|title=ABN TV Nepali TV channel|website=www.abntv.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612170537/http://abntv.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Bangladeshi channels too. Siliguri has three local channels: CCN,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cccom.in/|title=CCN Siliguri|website=www.cccom.com|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607085142/http://www.cccom.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> Amar Cable and HTV. There is a TV tower in Kurseong,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doordarshan.gov.in/west-bengal-1|title=Doordarshan west Bengal stations|website=www.doordarshan.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607082316/https://doordarshan.gov.in/west-bengal-1|url-status=live}}</ref> about 25 km from Siliguri. | |||
In and around Siliguri, there are a number of colleges, viz., Siliguri College, Siliguri College of Commerce (classes held at night in the premises of the Siliguri College), Siliguri Women’s College, Surya Sen College. All these deliver general degrees as well as specialization (Honours) in the fields available under the University of North Bengal. | |||
==Sports facilities== | |||
Siliguri hosts numerous sporting events and matches to influence and build develop young athletes from the city. Some of the important sports enthusiast local clubs in Siliguri organise several cricket, football, volleyball, swimming competition, table-tennis matches etc. ] (SAI) in Kanchenjunga Stadium conducts football and athletics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File1374.pdf|title=Sports Authority of India-Siliguri|website=www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608085554/http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File1374.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> With the provision for an international outdoor and indoor stadium, Siliguri has enough opportunities to host national level matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|title=Third I-League matches in Kanchanjunga stadium|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051042/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|url-status=live}}</ref> This has led Siliguri become a prominent city for national champions like ], the gold medalist winner in the bi-annual South Asian Games (SAF) for table tennis, ],<ref name="champs"/> ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/results/team/6241|title=Table Tennis Team-Women Melbourne 2006|publisher=thecgf.com|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202644/https://thecgf.com/results/team/6241|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611044434/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> another internationally acclaimed table tennis player and ] – Indian international ]er who plays ] and ] cricket for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;keeper=1;orderby=player;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;team=6;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=Wriddhiman Saha stats|website=espncricinfo|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324225552/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;keeper=1;orderby=player;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;team=6;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|url-status=live}}</ref> Siliguri has done a tremendous job for Indian table tennis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/siliguri-hailed-as-bhiwani-of-indian-tt-after-twin-oly-berth_741306.html|title=Siliguri hailed as Bhiwani of Indian TT|access-date=1 May 2019|date=22 April 2012|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501120647/https://zeenews.india.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/siliguri-hailed-as-bhiwani-of-indian-tt-after-twin-oly-berth_741306.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bikash Ghosh Memorial Swimming Pool is beside Kanchenjunga Stadium in the city, and conducts swimming competitions. White water rafting is done nearby in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_0000f1.htm|title=white water rafting in Teesta river|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501133126/https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_0000f1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=400|caption_align=center | |||
The '''University of North Bengal''', located in a serene backdrop of the Terai foothills and tea gardens, was established in 1962, 10 km away from the main Siliguri town, in Raja Rammohan Pur. Approximately 80 colleges are affiliated to the University, with approximately 36,000 and 1,500 students enrolled in graduate and post graduate courses respectively, every year. A sprawling campus, this University boasts having the second largest campus in the country. Huge stretches of green, in the form of quite-dense vegetation, lakes, and seasonal flowers are woven in between the buildings housing the departments. | |||
| image1 = Sports 6.jpg|caption1=U-19 football tournament at ], Siliguri | |||
| image2 = Sports 2.jpg|caption2=Municipal corporation indoor stadium}} | |||
===Kanchenjunga Stadium=== | |||
] | |||
{{main|Kanchenjunga Stadium}} | |||
The '''North Bengal Medical College''', located in Sushrutnagar is the sole medical college in the region and is connected to the main city through the 3rd Mahananda Bridge. Students from across the state as well from neighboring sates come to study here, after having cleared the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations for engineering and medicine. The recently set up '''Siliguri Institute Of Technology''' (SIT) located at Sukna, a few kilometers away from the city has fast become one of the major and regular centres for the state’s corporate houses to recruit fresh engineers. | |||
Kanchenjunga Stadium, a multipurpose stadium, is the main stadium in Siliguri,<ref>{{cite web | title = Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri, a multipurpose stadium | publisher = World Stadiums | url = http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/india/siliguri_kanchenjunga.shtml | access-date = 1 May 2019 | archive-date = 8 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180610/http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/india/siliguri_kanchenjunga.shtml | url-status = live }}</ref> and is primarily used for football matches, although it has also hosted several cricket matches. It has a seating capacity of 30,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kanchenjunga-stadium-set-to-get-a-facelift-342689|title=Kunchenjunga stadium-about|website=www.mellenniumpost.in|access-date=1 May 2019|date=27 February 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501102605/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kanchenjunga-stadium-set-to-get-a-facelift-342689|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
'''Football:''' | |||
*This stadium hosted the ] matches of India. | |||
*The final match of the ] was played at the stadium in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web| title = Clinical Mizoram clinch 68th Santosh Trophy in style| url = http://www.saharasamay.com/sports-news/676549354/clinical-mizoram-clinch-68th-santosh-trophy-in-style.html| publisher = Samay Live| date = 10 March 2014| access-date = 1 May 2019| archive-date = 10 March 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310093905/http://www.saharasamay.com/sports-news/676549354/clinical-mizoram-clinch-68th-santosh-trophy-in-style.html| url-status = live}}</ref> | |||
*Seven rounds of the ] match were played on this ground.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second division league venues finalized|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6248|website=The All India Football Federation|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926131101/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6248|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*It also hosted two ] matches in ] and one in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|title=Third I-League matches supposed to held in Siliguri|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051042/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
*All the matches of ] were played in the Kanchenjunga Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAFF Women's Championship To Be Held in Siliguri|url=http://goalie365.com/show_details.php?article_id=774|website=goalie365.com|date=11 November 2016|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916022705/http://goalie365.com/show_details.php?article_id=774|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
'''Cricket:''' | |||
Various all India reputed Management Colleges have their centre in Siliguri. '''ICFAI''' offers '''MBA''' courses and their campus is located at Mallaguri area. '''IIAS''' offers mainly Hospitality Management courses and is a very renowned name with their alumni working worldwide, '''IIAS''' is situated beside Hill Cart Road 2 km from Darjeeling More in Siliguri towards Darjeeling. | |||
*This stadium has hosted 11 ] matches. | |||
*Two ] matches were played here. | |||
===Municipal corporation indoor stadium=== | |||
== Media == | |||
Indoor sports including ], ], ], ] and ] 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<ref>{{cite web|title=National table tennis championships 2017 results|url=http://ttfi.org/cmspages/results/Result%20-%202017|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501100119/http://ttfi.org/cmspages/results/Result%2520-%25202017|url-status=live}}</ref> was recently organised here.<ref>{{cite web|title=National table tennis championships|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/tournament-in-paddlers-hub-siliguri/cid/1524036|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051043/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/tournament-in-paddlers-hub-siliguri/cid/1524036|url-status=live}}</ref> Sports festival, 2017 was also held in this indoor stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/sports-festival-begins-indoor-stadium-siliguri/|title=Sports festival, Siliguri|access-date=1 May 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501103623/https://siliguritimes.com/sports-festival-begins-indoor-stadium-siliguri/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Newspapers in Siliguri include the English language dailies, '']'' and '']'', both of which are printed in Siliguri. The '']'' and the '']'' ] editions which are available in the same evening. Several Hindi and Bengali newspapers, including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'','']'', and '']' are also available. | |||
==Visitors' attractions== | |||
In addition to ], Siliguri has three private FM radio stations: Radio High 92.7FM ,Radio Misty 94.3, and FM 91.9. | |||
{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=400|caption_align=center | |||
| image1 = Tourism 3.jpg|caption1='''] on ]''' | |||
| image2 = Tourism 2.jpg|caption2='''Heritage ] at ]''' | |||
| image3 = Tourism 5.jpg|caption3=Bengal safari park | |||
| image4 = Tourism 8.jpg|caption4=Gajoldoba view point}} | |||
] toy train runs between ], Siliguri and ]. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and has been designated as a ].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|title=Mountain Railways of India|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944|access-date=29 April 2019|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|archive-date=3 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503143242/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="darjnews">{{cite web|title=History of DHR|url=http://www.darjeelingnews.net/darjeeling_himalayan_railway.html|access-date=29 April 2019|work=darjeelingnews.net|publisher=Darjeelingnews|archive-date=13 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031213231046/http://darjeelingnews.net/darjeeling_himalayan_railway.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ], also known as Sevoke Bridge, is situated on lower Himalaya about 20 km from Siliguri and was made in 1930<ref>{{cite web|title=Coronation bridge facts|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430122553/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> This bridge spans across ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Coronation Bridge|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040805/asp/siliguri/story_3584709.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629124159/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040805/asp/siliguri/story_3584709.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2011|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> ] view point is 28 km from Siliguri, famous for the huge reservoir formed by ] ]. This reservoir is home for many species of migratory birds, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Due to shuttling of migratory birds, the Pakhibitan sanctuary was established here. A boating facility is available.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gajoldoba view point-Mega tourism hub|url=http://www.north-bengal.com/gajaldoba-dooars.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.north-bengal.com|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100116/http://www.north-bengal.com/gajaldoba-dooars.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Siliguri receives almost all the television channels that are received by the rest of the country. Apart from the state-owned ] ], ] serves most of the homes in the town, while ] is common in the outlying areas and in wealthier households. Besides mainstream ], the town also receives ] and ]. Local news broadcasts, sporting events, and concerts are broadcast live or delayed via cable to many households. ] services both by Government and private companies are also available. | |||
North Bengal Wild Animals Park, about {{cvt|8|km}} away from the city, offers visitors the 'Bengal Safari' to experience sub-Himalayan wildlife closely, such as ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. It is fundamentally a part of the ], spread over an area of 700 acres. The park conducts herbivore safaris, carnivore safaris, and elephant safaris.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengal safari park|url=http://shiliguri.com/bengal-safari-park|access-date=29 April 2019|archive-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929002332/http://shiliguri.com/bengal-safari-park|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=North Bengal wild animals park|url=https://www.northbengalwildanimalspark.in/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.northbengalwildanimalspark.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100119/https://www.northbengalwildanimalspark.in/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] is located {{cvt|13|km}} away from Siliguri on the foothills of the Himalayas, between ] and ].The sanctuary spans over {{cvt|159|km2}} of reserve forest. In 1959, it received the status of a sanctuary mainly to protect the ] and the Bengal tiger. This sanctuary is home to rare ], ], ], ], sambar deer, tiger, elephant and ] and migratory birds. It offers mild to medium trekking challenges at some points.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102232008/http://westbengalforest.gov.in/ |date=2 January 2019 }}, West Bengal Forest Department.</ref> | |||
Internet cafés are well established in the main market area, served through ] services provided by ] and other private companies like ]. The area is serviced by local ] companies such as ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
There are some important Hindu and Buddhists monuments in and around the city. ] is located {{cvt|6|km}} away from Siliguri. The main attraction is the {{cvt|100|ft}} ], which is believed to be founded by the Tibetan Lama, ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Salugara monastery|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430124020/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> This tranquil location for meditation was established by Tibetan monks and followers of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Salugara monastery|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/spectrum/bagpack-and-soak-in/612888.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref> Sed-Gyued monastery is located near Salugara monastery. It is a breath-taking monument which was destroyed by the Chinese army, and then rebuilt. The monastery is home to more than 90 monks of the ] division, and is used as a research centre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sed gyued monastery|url=http://www.sed-gyued.org/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.sed-gyued.org|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109082500/http://www.sed-gyued.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ewam India Buddhist Monastrey is {{cvt|11|km}} from Siliguri and is placed in the lap of nature near Bengal safari.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ewam India Buddhist monastery|url=https://www.ewam.org/centers|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.ewam.org|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100141/https://www.ewam.org/centers|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] temple in the city, also known as Sri Sri Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir locally, is one of the biggest Krishna centres in the North-Eastern region of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=ISCON Siliguri|url=http://centers.iskcondesiretree.com/siliguri/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=centres.iscondesiretree.com|date=4 June 2011|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430011001/http://centers.iskcondesiretree.com/siliguri/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sevoke Kali temple is an ancient temple on the banks of ] river close to the ].This temple dedicated to ], the Goddess of Destruction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sevoke kali mandir|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430124020/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Siliguri also offers amusement and water parks to tourists and locals. Dreamland Amusement Park, located near ], {{cvt|12|km}} from Siliguri junction, is an agricultural land converted in a fun house. It has 5-6 usual rides and a mini ]. Savin Kingdom is an amusement and water park which is located near Dagapur in Siliguri. The water park has a pool, slides, artificial wave, and rain dance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Savin kingdom water park attractions|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430124020/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> It also has various joy rides like adrenaline junkies, sky train, break dance, go-carting, and artificial bullsas well as a multiplex, kids zone, and restaurant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Savin kingdom Siliguri|url=http://savinkingdom.com/retreat|access-date=29 April 2019|website=savinkingdom.com|archive-date=7 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707090715/http://www.savinkingdom.com/retreat|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The North Bengal Science Centre, established in 1997, is the only science centre in North Bengal. The main attractions are the Digital Planetarium, Science Shows, 3D Theatre, Taramandal Shows, science galleries and a green Science Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=North Bengal science centre attractions|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430122553/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=North Bengal science centre|url=https://nbscsiliguri.org/about-us.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=nbscsiliguri.org|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430140400/https://nbscsiliguri.org/about-us.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hong Kong market is known as the Chandni Chowk of ], a street market with a variety of shops popping out on the alleyways.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Hong Kong market|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430122553/https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Notable people== | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Misplaced Pages ♦♦♦---> | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> | |||
* ] - Ex Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs. | |||
* ] - Represented India at the ] in ] event in Table Tennis.<ref name=champs>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/sanil-ankita-are-national-champs/article5571879.ece|title=Sanil, Ankita are National champs|newspaper=The Hindu|date=13 January 2014|access-date=1 May 2019|last1=Keerthivasan|first1=K.|archive-date=22 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622164517/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/sanil-ankita-are-national-champs/article5571879.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* ] - Incumbent Mayor of Siliguri since February 2022, ex-Cabinet Minister of Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal | |||
* ] - Indian table tennis player, two time national-level Champion and ]ee. | |||
* ] - Indian cricketer, who played in the ]. | |||
* ] - table tennis player and the youngest Indian to qualify for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|title=Ankita Das and Soumyajit Ghosh are the youngest Indian players to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063804/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He also became the youngest national champion at the age of 19.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Soumyajit-Ghosh-becomes-youngest-national-table-tennis-champ/articleshow/17996714.cms|title=Soumyajit Ghosh becomes youngest national table tennis champ|website=]|date=12 January 2013|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017205341/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Soumyajit-Ghosh-becomes-youngest-national-table-tennis-champ/articleshow/17996714.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* ] - founder of the ]. | |||
* ] - ] holder for the farthest distance travelled on a zip wire and pulled 40 tonnes ] toy train using hair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9553076/Man-pulls-train-with-hair-in-world-record-attempt.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920112925/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9553076/Man-pulls-train-with-hair-in-world-record-attempt.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2012|title=Man pulls train with hair in world record attempt|website=]|date=19 September 2012|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/man-uses-his-hair-to-pull-darjeeling-himalayan-train--17741.html|title=Man uses his hair to pull Darjeeling Himalayan train|publisher=indiatvnews.com|date=20 October 2016|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123223627/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/man-uses-his-hair-to-pull-darjeeling-himalayan-train--17741.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* ] - table tennis player who was part of Indian trio, defeated Canada in Commonwealth 2006 at Melbourne and won bronze medal for India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thecgf.com/results/team/6241 | title=Table Tennis Team - Women Melbourne 2006 | publisher=thecgf.com | access-date=1 May 2019 | archive-date=24 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202644/https://thecgf.com/results/team/6241 | url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
* ] - Indian ], who plays ] and ] cricket for the ]. | |||
==See also== | |||
*] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
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Latest revision as of 17:08, 9 January 2025
Metropolis in West Bengal, IndiaMetropolis in West Bengal, India
Siliguri Shiliguri (Bengali) | |
---|---|
Metropolis | |
Clockwise from top left: Siliguri aerial view, Science centre entrance, Ewam India Monastery in Siliguri, Sukna forest, Teesta river, Siliguri art in clock tower, Siliguri city centre, Sevoke bridge, Kanchenjunga mountain from Siliguri, Toy train in Siliguri, Siliguri traffic road | |
Nickname(s): Gateway to the Dooars, Gateway of Northeast India, City of Hospitality | |
SiliguriLocation in West BengalShow map of West BengalSiliguriLocation in IndiaShow map of India | |
Coordinates: 26°43′N 88°26′E / 26.71°N 88.43°E / 26.71; 88.43 | |
Country | India |
State | West Bengal |
District | |
No. of Wards | 47 |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal corporation |
• Body | Siliguri Municipal Corporation |
• Mayor | Goutam Deb |
• Deputy mayor | Ranjan Sarkar |
• Police Commissioner | Akhilesh Chaturvedi, IPS |
• Sub Divisional officer | Priyanka Singh, IAS |
Area | |
• Urban | 157 km (61 sq mi) |
• Metro | 2,222 km (858 sq mi) |
• Rank | 3rd in West Bengal |
Highest elevation | 140 m (460 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 114 m (374 ft) |
Population | |
• Metropolis | 513,264 |
• Rank | 3rd in West Bengal |
• Urban | 701,489 |
• City rank | 90th in India |
Languages | |
• Official | Bengali |
• Additional official | English |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 734 001-734 015 (city limits), 734 401-734 436(suburbs), 735 133-735 135 |
Telephone code | 0353, 0354 |
Vehicle registration | WB 73/74 |
Lok Sabha constituency | Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri |
Literacy | 85.46% |
Sex ratio | 1000♂/951♀ |
Vidhan Sabha constituency | Siliguri, Dabgram-Phulbari, Matigara-Naxalbari, Phansidewa |
Police | Siliguri Police Commissionerate |
Website | www |
The coordinates given here are in metric system and based upon the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Map Center 2005 The Vehicle Code given here is based upon the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court, Darjeeling District Court and Jalpaiguri District Court documentations. |
Siliguri (/sɪˈliˌɡʊri/ Bengali: [ˈʃiliɡuɽi] ), also known as Shiliguri, is a major tier-II city in West Bengal. It forms "Twin Cities" with the neighbouring district headquarter of Jalpaiguri. The city spans areas of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts in the Indian state of West Bengal. Known as the "Gateway of Northeast India", Siliguri is popular for three Ts: Tea, Timber and Tourism. It is located on the banks of the Mahananda and the Teesta River in the foothills of the Himalayas. Siliguri is the third largest urban agglomeration in West Bengal, after Kolkata and Asansol.
Siliguri has great strategic importance in West Bengal, with convenient access to three international borders: Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. It also connects the North-East with mainland India. Located in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, Siliguri is a significant trading and transportation hub.
History
Etymology
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.
Modern history
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 Lepchas came to settle in this region.
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 1816, signed between Britain-Nepal, changed the prospects of Siliguri, and it became a point of transit for the Darjeeling hills and Nepal mainland. From 1816 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.
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. 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. 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.
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 third-largest city in West Bengal, after Kolkata and Asansol.
Geography
Location
Siliguri is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas at a location of 26°43′N 88°26′E / 26.71°N 88.43°E / 26.71; 88.43. The city is spread over an area of 260 km within the Siliguri Corridor, and has earned a moniker 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). 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. 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.
Climate
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 20-24 °C to a maximum of 30-35 °C. The temperature of the hottest month, August, is 27.1 °C. The temperature in peak summer sometimes exceeds 38 °C. On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-25 °C, and the minimum drops 6-9 °C. 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. The highest temperature ever recorded in Siliguri is 41.9 °C, recorded on 7 June 2023, while the lowest was recorded on 8 January 2018, when the mercury plummeted to 1.9 °C.
Rainfall and other conditions
On an average, Siliguri gets above 3000 mm per year. 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, June, July, August and September. 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.
Climate data for Siliguri (Bagdogra Airport), Normals (1991-2021), Extremes 1951–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 32.5 (90.5) |
33.2 (91.8) |
38.1 (100.6) |
41.7 (107.1) |
40.8 (105.4) |
41.9 (107.4) |
40.4 (104.7) |
40.0 (104.0) |
40.1 (104.2) |
36.6 (97.9) |
33.8 (92.8) |
32.6 (90.7) |
41.9 (107.4) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.6 (78.1) |
27.9 (82.2) |
32.8 (91.0) |
34.9 (94.8) |
35.3 (95.5) |
36.3 (97.3) |
36.0 (96.8) |
36.7 (98.1) |
35.8 (96.4) |
33.5 (92.3) |
30.4 (86.7) |
27.2 (81.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22 (72) |
24.5 (76.1) |
29.3 (84.7) |
30.8 (87.4) |
29.9 (85.8) |
29.5 (85.1) |
29.1 (84.4) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.2 (84.6) |
28.5 (83.3) |
26.3 (79.3) |
23.4 (74.1) |
27.7 (81.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.7 (51.3) |
12.8 (55.0) |
16.1 (61.0) |
19.5 (67.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
24 (75) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.6 (76.3) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.7 (67.5) |
15.2 (59.4) |
11.8 (53.2) |
18.7 (65.7) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | 6.9 (44.4) |
7.2 (45.0) |
12.5 (54.5) |
16.5 (61.7) |
18.6 (65.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.8 (62.2) |
11.9 (53.4) |
7.7 (45.9) |
6.5 (43.7) |
Record low °C (°F) | 1.9 (35.4) |
3.5 (38.3) |
6.2 (43.2) |
9.6 (49.3) |
15.0 (59.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
21.0 (69.8) |
18.4 (65.1) |
19.8 (67.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
6.4 (43.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
1.9 (35.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 23 (0.9) |
24 (0.9) |
34 (1.3) |
76 (3.0) |
249 (9.8) |
628 (24.7) |
843 (33.2) |
589 (23.2) |
403 (15.9) |
121 (4.8) |
10 (0.4) |
11 (0.4) |
3,011 (118.5) |
Average rainy days | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 132 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 69 | 65 | 54 | 63 | 79 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 80 | 70 | 68 | 75 |
Average ultraviolet index | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
Source 1: normal temperaturesUltraviolet Index | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Extremes(India Meteorological Department), Mean maximum and Mean minimum temperatures |
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1951 | 33,000 | — |
1961 | 66,000 | +100.0% |
1971 | 100,000 | +51.5% |
1981 | 234,000 | +134.0% |
1991 | 367,000 | +56.8% |
2001 | 479,000 | +30.5% |
2011 | 701,489 | +46.4% |
Source: |
Religions of Siliguri (2011)
Hinduism (91.98%) Islam (5.37%) Christianity (0.94%) Buddhism (0.65%) Other or no religion (1.05%)Languages of Siliguri (2011)
Bengali (60.88%) Hindi (25.24%) Nepali (4.66%) Bhojpuri (2.39%) Marwari (1.58%) Urdu (1.24%) Others (4.01%)Based on the Census data of 2011, the population of Siliguri UA/Metropolitan (including Siliguri municipal corporation and Dabagram municipality) is 701,489, while the population in the Municipal corporation area is 5,13,264. Males constitute 51.44% of the population and females 48.55%. Population shares of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category persons in Siliguri municipal area are 8.84% and 1.25% respectively. The literacy rate in Siliguri is 77.64%. There are 154 notified and 31 non-notified slums in Siliguri, where 32% of Siliguri's population lives.
Languages
Bengali is the official language in Siliguri subdivision, including Siliguri city.
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.
Bengalis form the majority linguistic group in the city, followed by Biharis (including Bhojpuriyas), 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%.
Religion
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.
Governance and politics
Civic administration
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. 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. The first chairperson of the municipality was the Sub Divisional Officer, and the local councillors, 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. It had five departments then: General Administration, Collection, License, Public Works and Sanitation and Public Health. As of now, the corporation has 23 departments. It has 47 wards, of which 14 wards are in Jalpaiguri district, while the remaining 33 wards are in Darjeeling district. The last municipal elections were held on 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. The mayor of Siliguri for the five-year term from 2015 till 2020 was Ashok Bhattacharya from CPI(M), who was later elected as the local Member of Legislative Assembly as well.
The term of the last elected body of Siliguri Municipal Corporation ended on 7 May 2020 but municipal elections could not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.
Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituency
Siliguri is part of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. The last elections for the Lok Sabha took place in 2024, when Raju Bista from Bharatiya Janta Party won the seat. 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.
Civic services and infrastructure
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. 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. 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. The Conservancy Environment Department of the corporation provides Solid Waste Management services in the city. Each ward in the city has its own Solid Waste Management committee that takes care of cleanliness at the ward level. The Public Works Department of the corporation and Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority are both responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads in Siliguri. Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority also prepared the Traffic & Transportation Master Plan 2030 and the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Siliguri Jalpaiguri Planning Area.
Flora and fauna
Flora
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.
The rapid growth of the city has led to deforestation, making Siliguri warmer day by day and unbalancing the ecosystem.
Fauna
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.
Transport
Road
NH 27 crosses through the heart of the city 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 (77 km) dating from the British period. Siliguri also is the origin of NH 10 which connects Gangtok, 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:
Bus service
- 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. 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 and the SBSTC headquarters Durgapur etc.
- Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus: Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus (Siliguri) is located at the hill-cart 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.
- 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.
Rail
Being a transportation hub, 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 (station code NJP) is an A1 category 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 serving the city Siliguri. This station is well connected to almost all parts of the country except Goa. This station ranked 10th cleanest railway station in India in a 2016 survey and was among the top 100 booking stations of Indian railway. Many premium services are available, including 1 international Mitali Express, Howrah–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri - Guwahati Vande Bharat Express, New Jalpaiguri–Patna Vande Bharat Express, 4 Rajdhani Express, 2 Tourist Vistadome Express, 1 Shatabdi Express and 2 Humsafar Express.
- Siliguri Junction
Siliguri Junction railway station (station code SGUJ) established in 1949 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. 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.
- Siliguri Town railway station
Siliguri Town railway station is one of the oldest railway station (station code SGUT) of the region, opened in 1880 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.
- Bagdogra railway station
Bagdogra railway station (station code BORA) 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.
- 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) is situated at Mathapari, West Bengal. 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.
Air
Bagdogra 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, Durgapur, 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, the Bagdogra Airport sees thousands of tourists annually.
Central government of India confirmed international airport status to this airport in 2002 with limited international operations. This is one of the few airports in India with zero sales tax on aviation turbine fuel.
Educational facilities
North Bengal University administrative building.North Bengal St. Xavier's College.Surendra Institute of Engineering and Management.Don Bosco School, Siliguri.University
- University of North Bengal, since 1962
Colleges
- General degree colleges
- 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
- Medical colleges
- Engineering colleges
- Siliguri Government Polytechnic College
- Siliguri Institute of Technology
- Surendra Institute of Engineering & Management
- Other Colleges
Schools
- English Medium Schools
- Delhi Public School (CBSE)
- Don Bosco School (CISCE)
- Techno India Group Public School (CBSE)
- Army Schools
- Army Public School (Bengdubi & Khaprail)
- Army Public School, Sukna
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sevoke Road
Media
- Newspaper
- Various English language newspapers including The Telegraph, Times of India, The Statesman, The Economic Times, and The Asian Age are widely circulated throughout the city. Several Bengali language newspapers including Uttarbanga Sambad, Anandabazar Patrika, Bartaman, Uttarer Saradin, Aajkaal, Pratidin, and Ganashakti and Nepali Paper Himalaya Darpan are available. The leading Hindi dailies Prabhat Khabar and Janpath Samachar are also published from Siliguri. The online based news portals: Siliguri Times, Khabar Arohan, Bong Siliguri Times, CCN News, The Siliguri Journal, Siliguri Barta, and the Times of North provide live updates regarding Siliguri and adjacent areas.
- Radio
- All India Radio Siliguri was commissioned in 1963 as an additional station of AIR Kolkata. It has two groups of transmitters: high power BEL HMB 140 (AM) -2 and medium range GCEL 136 (FM) - 2 , for broadcasting programs. Prantik was the first program broadcast from here in 1969. In the course of time many notable individuals like Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, Ustad Rashid Khan, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Shashi Kapoor, Manabendra Mukhopadhyay, Madhuri Chattopadhyay, and Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi have visited AIR Siliguri. Popular programs executing from here are Pratyusha, Yuva Anusthan, Grame Ganje, Mahila Majlis, Mananiyeshu, Sishumahal and Arogya. Two radio channels are operated from AIR Siliguri through which programs are broadcasting daily:
No. | Name | Frequency | Language |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Primary Channel (PC) | PC: 421.9 Metres 711 kHz (Medium wave) | Bengali |
02 | Vividh Bharati Service (VBS) | VBS: 101.4 MHz (High wave) | Bengali/Hindi |
- In addition to the All India Radio, Siliguri has several private FM radio channels:
No. | Name | Frequency | Language |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Nine FM | 91.9 FM | Hindi |
02 | Radio High | 92.7 FM | Hindi |
03 | Red FM | 93.5 FM | Hindi |
04 | Radio Misty | 94.3 FM | Bengali |
05 | Radio Mirchi | 98.3 FM | Bengali |
06 | Air Rainbow | 102.3 FM | Hindi/English |
- Television
- Siliguri receives almost all the television channels received by rest of the country. Apart from the national terrestrial network Doordarshan, cable TV serves most of the houses. Siliguri also receives some Nepali and Bangladeshi channels too. Siliguri has three local channels: CCN, Amar Cable and HTV. There is a TV tower in Kurseong, about 25 km from Siliguri.
Sports facilities
Siliguri hosts numerous sporting events and matches to influence and build develop young athletes from the city. Some of the important sports enthusiast local clubs in Siliguri organise several cricket, football, volleyball, swimming competition, table-tennis matches etc. Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Kanchenjunga Stadium conducts football and athletics. With the provision for an international outdoor and indoor stadium, Siliguri has enough opportunities to host national level matches. This has led Siliguri become a prominent city for national champions like Mantu Ghosh, the gold medalist winner in the bi-annual South Asian Games (SAF) for table tennis, Ankita Das, Nandita Saha and Soumyajit Ghosh another internationally acclaimed table tennis player and Wriddhiman Saha – Indian international cricketer who plays First-class and Test cricket for the Indian national team. Siliguri has done a tremendous job for Indian table tennis. Bikash Ghosh Memorial Swimming Pool is beside Kanchenjunga Stadium in the city, and conducts swimming competitions. White water rafting is done nearby in the Teesta river.
U-19 football tournament at Kanchenjunga Stadium, SiliguriMunicipal corporation indoor stadiumKanchenjunga Stadium
Main article: Kanchenjunga StadiumKanchenjunga Stadium, a multipurpose stadium, is the main stadium in Siliguri, and is primarily used for football matches, although it has also hosted several cricket matches. It has a seating capacity of 30,000.
Football:
- This stadium hosted the Federation Cup 2012 matches of India.
- The final match of the 2013–14 Santosh Trophy was played at the stadium in March 2014.
- Seven rounds of the 2015 I-League 2nd Division match were played on this ground.
- It also hosted two Kolkata derby matches in 2016 I-league and one in 2017.
- All the matches of 2016 SAFF Women's Championship were played in the Kanchenjunga Stadium.
Cricket:
- This stadium has hosted 11 Ranji Trophy matches.
- Two Celebrity Cricket League matches were played here.
Municipal corporation indoor stadium
Indoor sports including table tennis, badminton, Taekwondo, 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 was recently organised here. Sports festival, 2017 was also held in this indoor stadium.
Visitors' attractions
Coronation Bridge on TeestaHeritage Toy Train at NJPBengal safari parkGajoldoba view pointDarjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train runs between New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Darjeeling. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Coronation Bridge, also known as Sevoke Bridge, is situated on lower Himalaya about 20 km from Siliguri and was made in 1930 This bridge spans across Teesta River. Gajoldoba view point is 28 km from Siliguri, famous for the huge reservoir formed by Teesta Barrage. This reservoir is home for many species of migratory birds, including river lapwing, great crested grebe, Indian cormorant, purple heron, Eurasian wigeon, common shelduck, cotton teal, tufted duck, little ringed plover, and great cormorant. Due to shuttling of migratory birds, the Pakhibitan sanctuary was established here. A boating facility is available.
North Bengal Wild Animals Park, about 8 km (5.0 mi) away from the city, offers visitors the 'Bengal Safari' to experience sub-Himalayan wildlife closely, such as jungle fowl, sambar deer, Bengal tiger, wild boars, spotted deer, wild bear, and rhinoceros. It is fundamentally a part of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over an area of 700 acres. The park conducts herbivore safaris, carnivore safaris, and elephant safaris. The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located 13 km (8.1 mi) away from Siliguri on the foothills of the Himalayas, between Teesta and Mahananda.The sanctuary spans over 159 km (61 sq mi) of reserve forest. In 1959, it received the status of a sanctuary mainly to protect the Indian bison and the Bengal tiger. This sanctuary is home to rare mountain goat, chital, barking dear, fishing cat, sambar deer, tiger, elephant and Indian bison and migratory birds. It offers mild to medium trekking challenges at some points.
There are some important Hindu and Buddhists monuments in and around the city. Salugara Monastery is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from Siliguri. The main attraction is the 100 ft (30 m) stupa, which is believed to be founded by the Tibetan Lama, Kalu Rinpoche. This tranquil location for meditation was established by Tibetan monks and followers of Dalai Lama. Sed-Gyued monastery is located near Salugara monastery. It is a breath-taking monument which was destroyed by the Chinese army, and then rebuilt. The monastery is home to more than 90 monks of the Gelukpa division, and is used as a research centre. Ewam India Buddhist Monastrey is 11 km (6.8 mi) from Siliguri and is placed in the lap of nature near Bengal safari. The ISKCON temple in the city, also known as Sri Sri Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir locally, is one of the biggest Krishna centres in the North-Eastern region of India. The Sevoke Kali temple is an ancient temple on the banks of Teesta river close to the Coronation Bridge.This temple dedicated to Maa Kali, the Goddess of Destruction.
Siliguri also offers amusement and water parks to tourists and locals. Dreamland Amusement Park, located near Fulbari, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Siliguri junction, is an agricultural land converted in a fun house. It has 5-6 usual rides and a mini Ropeway. Savin Kingdom is an amusement and water park which is located near Dagapur in Siliguri. The water park has a pool, slides, artificial wave, and rain dance. It also has various joy rides like adrenaline junkies, sky train, break dance, go-carting, and artificial bullsas well as a multiplex, kids zone, and restaurant.
The North Bengal Science Centre, established in 1997, is the only science centre in North Bengal. The main attractions are the Digital Planetarium, Science Shows, 3D Theatre, Taramandal Shows, science galleries and a green Science Park. The Hong Kong market is known as the Chandni Chowk of Northeast India, a street market with a variety of shops popping out on the alleyways.
Notable people
- Ashok Bhattacharya - Ex Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs.
- Ankita Das - Represented India at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Women's singles event in Table Tennis.
- Goutam Deb - Incumbent Mayor of Siliguri since February 2022, ex-Cabinet Minister of Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal
- Mantu Ghosh - Indian table tennis player, two time national-level Champion and Arjuna Awardee.
- Richa Ghosh - Indian cricketer, who played in the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
- Soumyajit Ghosh - table tennis player and the youngest Indian to qualify for the London, 2012 Olympics. He also became the youngest national champion at the age of 19.
- Charu Majumdar - founder of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist).
- Sailendra Nath Roy - Guinness World Records holder for the farthest distance travelled on a zip wire and pulled 40 tonnes DHR toy train using hair.
- Nandita Saha - table tennis player who was part of Indian trio, defeated Canada in Commonwealth 2006 at Melbourne and won bronze medal for India.
- Wriddhiman Saha - Indian cricketer, who plays First-class and Test cricket for the Indian national cricket team.
See also
- Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority
- Siliguri subdivision
- List of cities in West Bengal
- List of metropolitan area in West Bengal
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External links
- Siliguri Municipal Corporation
- Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority
- Siliguri Tourism Official Website
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