Soon after the Trinamul Congress assumed power at the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), the issue of expanding the corporation’s jurisdiction came under discussion, as several adjoining areas have gradually transformed from rural belts into urban zones.
Although these areas exhibit clear urban characteristics, they continue to remain under the administrative control of gram panchayats in parts of both Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. For a long time now, residents from various professional and social backgrounds have been demanding the formation of a ‘Greater Siliguri’ by bringing these developed regions under the SMC for better civic amenities and governance.
Several localities within the Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district have witnessed rapid growth due to the presence of major institutions such as the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, City Centre, and the University of North Bengal. However, despite this growth, residents in these areas are deprived of municipal services as they remain under gram panchayat control. According to locals, the panchayats have failed to meet civic needs owing to inadequate infrastructure and resources.
A similar demand has been raised in parts of Jalpaiguri district, particularly areas around Uttarkanya under the Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly segment. Residents there have been pressing for inclusion under the SMC, citing their close proximity to Ward No. 32 and the growing urban character of the locality.
On Tuesday, mayor Goutam Deb, while inaugurating the newly-constructed conference hall of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, subtly hinted at the possibility of future expansion of the Corporation’s operational area.
“Currently, the number of councillors stands at 47. However, the new conference hall has a seating capacity of at least 150. If the number of councillors increases in the future, the hall is fully equipped to accommodate them,” the mayor remarked.