Chapter 2

Regional Setting

Kolkata, formerly Calcutta is the capital of the state of West Bengal. It is located
in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly, urban agglomeration and the
fourth-largest city in India.

Source: www.map ofindia.com

Location: Kolkata is located in eastern India at 22°33′N, 88°20′E in the Ganges Delta ,
spread linearly along the banks of the River Hooghly in a north-south direction.

Altitute: At an elevation ranging between 1.5 m (5 ft) to 9 m (30 ft)

Soil Characteristics: Like the most of the Indo-Gangetic plains, the predominant soil
type is Alluvial.

Climate: Tropical wet-and-dry climate.

Temperatures: The annual mean temperature is 26.8 °C (80.2 °F)

Summers (May – June) are hot and humid with maximum temperatures often exceed
40 °C Winters (December – January) with seasonal lows dipping to 9 °C – 11 °C
Highest recorded temperature : 43.9 °C lowest temperature recorded : 5 °C

Rainfall: Annual rainfall 1582mm (62inch) - south west monsoon between June and
September
Often during early summers dusty squalls followed by spells of thunderstorm or
hailstorms and heavy rains cum ice sleets lash the city, bringing relief from the humid
heat. These thunderstorms are convective in nature, and is locally known as Kal
baisakhi (Nor'westers)

Source: www.googleearth.com

Sunshine: The city receives 2,528 hours of sunshine per annum, with maximum
sunlight occurring in March.
Pollution: Pollution is major concern in Collate; suspended particulate matter (SPM) is
high as compared to other major cities of India, leading to regular smog and haze.

The East Kolkata Wetland System

The wetlands to the east of Kolkata (22 0 27‘ N 88 0 27‘ E) comprises a large number of
water bodies distributed across the districts of South and North 24 Parganas. The
multifunctional wetland ecosystem is spread over 12,500 hectares.
254 sewage-fed fisheries, agricultural and solid waste farms and some built up areas..
The water table is approximately at a depth of 8 metres which falls by 1 - 2 meters
during summer. The average pH in the fish ponds is 7.5
Table 2.1 Vulnerable Areas in Kolkata

.
 Chapter 3
History and Growth

3.1 Historical Background

The origin of Calcutta is somewhat linked with the fate of the East India
Company. On 31st December 1600, the company received the Royal Charter granting it
the monopoly of eastern trade for fifteen years. The company sent Captain William
Hawkins to India. He reached Mughal emperor Jahangir‘s court in 1609, and in early
1613, the English were permitted to establish a factory in Surat in the west,
permanently. This was just a beginning of the colonization process. Following this, Sir
Thomas Roe, an ambassador of the King of England was sent to the Mughal court. He
succeeded in getting permission to establish factories in Agra, Ahmedabad and Broach
which together were under the control of Surat. Meanwhile Dutch East India Company
(1602) and the French East India Company(1604) were formed. Portugese influence
reached Bengal in 1535, and they virtually monopolized trade and commerce, and
established settlements at Hooghly and at other places and the Dutch had followed suit
in 1636. In 1687, Hooghly supersided Surat and became the chief English settlement in
India
The East India Company was trying to expand its commerce in Bengal. Inspite of
all the support from the Emperor Aurangazeb, the Company faced problems; and had to
pay taxes and meet the demands of the local administrators and customs officers. Due
to the above circumstances, the Company had to take a decision to protect themselves
by force for which a fortified settlement was necessary. Thus, Hooghly was selected for
this purpose. But hostilities broke out between the Mughals and the Company, and the
latter were pushed out from this place to a site near the mouth of the river. Kalabaria,
south of Howrah, and Hijli in Midnapur district, were the other abandoned sites of the
English settlements in Bengal. In 1687,Job Charnock, a Company agent and chief of
the English factory at Cassimbazar, initiated negotiations, and secured permission for
the English to return at Sutanati, a site on the Eastern bank of the river Hooghly. Job
Charnock arrived on the 23rd of Deceber,1686 while English settlers arrived at this
village on the 20th of march 1686. This was in a way the origin of this great city.
However it is claimed that, by then ―Calcutta‖ was an important centre of production and
commerce having several satellite villages inhabitated by cloth manufacturers, when
Charnock set his mind on this site. Nevertheless, the hostility between the Mughals and
the Company agents persisted, which was stopped after the peace treaty signed
between the President and the council of Bombay and the Mughal Emperor in 1690.
Job Charnock returned to Bengal in the month of August in the same year, and
established an English factory at Sutanati. This is considered as the foundation of this
city. Further following the rebellion of Sobha Singh, a zamindar in the district of
Burdwan, the company got an excuse to fortify the factory in 1696, and in 1698,
zamindari of the three villages of Sutanuti, Kalikata and Govindapur was granted on a
payment of Rs. 1300 to the previous owners. This was how this great city was born in
the seventeenth century.
3.2 Growth of the City:
Calcutta‘s growth has been phenomenal by all considerations. Once a fortified
nucleus, basically meant to provide protection to the English population or business,
became one of the biggest cities of the world having functional category of services-
cum-industry.
In the process, the town later city underwent several stages ranging from a
garrison town to a company town and then to a provincial city and then to the
headquarters of the government of British India. Its loss in the administrative hierarchy
by the shift of the territorial headquarters to Delhi was quickly recompensed by the
industries which were developing around Kolkata. This city got a major share of the post
– World War I industrialization. Kolkata has several other faces as well. It has been
known for its poverty in spite of the richest people who lives here. It is also known as a
centre of culture, renaissance, films, literature, scientific surveys and other institutions.
All the above features have left their marks on the city. Kolkata has been a
conglomeration of institutions, establishments and personalities associated with the
above facets of this city.
One of the major contributing factors to the growth of this city is its ever-
increasing population. The original people of three villages were shifted to the
neighboring areas. The English population and their supporters who inhabited this place
were limited in number. Within 16 years of its inception, (i.e. in 1706), the town had
about twenty two thousand persons. In 1735 this number was estimated to be 1 lakh.
Just before the grant of permission from the British Monarchy to administer Kolkata and
four years earlier to Nawab Siraj-ud-daula‘s victory over the English forces, the
population increased to 179,917 persons. In 1752 there were about 65.7% Hindus,
26.77% Muslims, 7.3% Christians and 0.23% Chinese.
The Calcutta Municipal Corporation was formed in 1961. The growth of
population in then Calcutta proper and its suburbs provides an interesting trend. In
Calcutta proper the number of wards has increased from 101 to 141 during the period
1971-91. On the other hand the census towns in the suburbs increased from 72 to 129.
Each of these wards had a different trend of growth but ultimately became part of
Calcutta proper or of the Urban Agglomeration i.e., Greater Calcutta. Cossipore-Chitpur
and Manicktala in 1931, Tollygunge in 1961, Garden Reach, Jadavpur and South
Suburban in 1984 were merged with the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. Similarly,
several towns have become a part of Greater Calcutta.
 Table 3.2.1 Growth of Population, 1901-91(in per cent)

Per cent of Calcutta

Year Calcutta proper Suburbs Total Proper to the total
Population of the
Urban Agglomeration
1901 62.74
1911 8.86 26.58 15.46 59.15
1921 3.63 13.58 7.69 56.92
1931 15.94 10.93 13.78 58.00
1941 77.49 59.45 69.91 60.58
1951 24.50 34.04 28.26 58.80
1961 8.48 48.61 25.01 51.03
1971 7.57 38.20 22.57 44.78
1981 4.54 51.28 30.35 36.06
1991 33.66 9.98 18.49 40.51
Note: 1. Calcutta Proper is the area under the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.

2. Suburbs denote the area with Calcutta Urban Agglomeration but outside the Calcutta Municipal
Corporation.

3. Cossipur-Chitpur and Manicktala were separate towns in the years 1901-1921,and Tollygunge
remained as a separate town during 1901-51.

4. The rise in the share of Calcutta Municipal Corporation‘s population in 1991 is mainly due to the
inclusion of Jadavpur, South suburban and garden Reach municipalities in 1984.

The increase in population of Calcutta proper and the suburbs has been due to
(a) Natural increase
(b) Immigration
(c) Addition of areas
Considering the above three factors, the decennial increase of population is not
much except during the period 1931-41 when about 77 per cent of the population was
added. However in the period 1911-21 the growth was the lowest, i.e 3.63 per cent. The
shifting of the capital of British India and the first world war were the main reasons.
Population of the suburbs has increased faster in the last census decade the change
was 50.96 per cent. Further the percentage of population residing in Calcutta proper to
the total population of the urban agglomeration has decreased from 62.74 per cent in
1901 to about 40.51 per cent in 1991. It appears that growth in Calcutta proper is
reaching a saturation point. The marginal increase in population here is basically due to
change in housing designs in order to accommodate a larger number of persons and
construction of houses in fringe areas.
3.3 Four Phases of Development:
3.3.1 First Phase, 1690-1793: Fig 3.3.1 First Phase of Growth

During the first phase (i.e. before 1793) the

area of the conventional town was developed along
with Belvedere and areas to the east of Sealdah.
The other pockets were Body Guard Lines now in
Ballygunge; a linear stretch in Tollygunge which
then was meant for Europeans, a few pockets in
Garden Reach, and Matiabruze which was of
historical importance. The other older nuclei were
along the River Hugli, excepting Dum Dum which
was an army base. Chitpur, Cossipore,
Baranagore, Dakshineswar, Panihati, Khardah,
Titagarh and Barrackpore are the settlements of
this period on the eastern bank of the River Hugli.
On the other side, Baidyabati, Serampore, Bally,
Haora and other settlements were inhabited. All
these settlements came up during 1780. Fort
William and Baranagore on the eastern side and
Serampore on the western side of the river were sizeable. The above nuclei and other
settlements are now important places and reference points for further growth and
development. The main settlement that developed during this period and confined within
the River Hugli and the Mahratta ditch, now Upper and Lower Circular roads, forms the
Calcutta district. This area constituted the conventional city.
3.3.2 Second Phase, 1793-1856: Fig 3.2 Second Phase of Growth

In this phase, settlement expanded and made

almost a continuum enclosing the conventional city
and other nuclei on the eastern side of the river.
Metiabruze, Tollygunj, Body Guard Lines now in
Ballygunge and Baranagore coalesced with the old
Calcutta city. The Esplanade or Maidan remained
as open space. The built up area increased in other
directions as well. Parts of Alipore, Kalighat,
Ballygunje, Narkeldunga, Ultadunga and Dum Dum
developed in this period. Linear pattern of
settlement emerged along the river in the north with
the older nuclei at the intervening distances.
Baranagore had a sizeable settlement earlier and
the development was relatively more around this
point. Linear growth was also along the old Calcutta
–Naihati road, running almost parallel to the river.
But such linear development was not continuous. During this period, new nuclei also
developed to the eastern side of the elongated settlement. Dum Dum cantonment
however remained isolated.
 On the other side of the river, the linear development was continuous, starting from
Botanical Garden to Champdani. By the end of this phase, the conurbation was getting
a shape though the impact of railways was yet to be felt. The river remained abridged.
3.3.3 Third Phase, 1856-1947: Fig 3.3 Third Phase of Growth

The development after 1856 has been multi

dimensional and complex. Several new factors
have been introduced, such as, the rural
settlements in the surroundings, merging
settlements, complications in property
ownership, increasing proportion of multistoried
housing complexes, transport and
communication, sewage, drainage and
environmental problems along with in-
migrations of all sorts. Some of the above
aspects are common planning problems. But
some are peculiar to Calcutta – its over-
crowded roads; frequent load shedding and
shooting land values. The topography has also
come in the way of the expansion of the city in
certain directions. The social and other
amenities get reduced sharply as we go away
from the B.B.D Bagh. This is a very important
factor in residential decision-making and speculation of the land values. Obviously,
certain areas have been preferred to others for all types of uses, ranging from
commercial, storage, administrative and even for residential purposes. In several areas
the land is used for all the above purposes. These areas are also well connected.
During the day time commuters from the suburbs and other parts of Calcutta tend to
converge to these well connected places of work. Hence, there is a significant
difference between day and night population. The movement of all types of transport to
these areas has resulted into chronic traffic jam in already limited road space.
The most important event of this period is the introduction of railways on both sides
of the river. The settlement started growing all along these railway lines. The railway
stations, siding and halts became the new nuclei in the predominantly rural landscape,
partially covered with paddy fields. Parallel to the railway line the road network also
developed, in some cases on both sides. Hence, the new communication lines
organized the settlements with a different orientation, keeping Calcutta as a pivot. A
new hierarchy of settlements developed during this period which was a transformation
of the earlier arrangement. But, after 1947, this system was slashed. The hinterland of
Calcutta due to partition of the country was reduced and confined within the new
territorial limits of India.
During the first half of this period Calcutta underwent a unique experience. This was
the time when the impact of the industrial revolution from the west was felt here
alongwith the renaissance of Bengal. The literacy accounts of the writers of this period
provide a vivid account of the social, economic and political features of this region,
particularly of the rural areas. During this time the film industry got its root in Calcutta.
Apart from having the harbor and railway, trams were also introduced during this
phase which ultimately became an integral part of the city life. On the other hand new
industries developed in and around Calcutta. The intervening spaces were occupied by
the industrial estates related to iron and steel, jute, chemicals, ship building, food
processing and the like. These industrial complexes engaged labours for whom
accommodation was either provided within the estate or to be found elsewhere in the
city or in the neighbouring areas. Thus, this led to the growth in population in the
suburban towns.
3.3.4 Fourth Phase, 1947- till date:
With the achievement of independence in 1947, the spatial divisions of the colonial
city (demarcated by class and race barriers) were largely retained, with the native upper
class (capital and land owners, political leaders and top government officials) now
occupying the privileged space once reserved for the colonizers. The refugee inflow
from East Pakistan, however, introduced an unexpected spatial twist.
Fig 3.4 Fourth Phase of Growth

The influx of refugees really brought the city's elite

face-to-face with the urban problems that were
brewing for a long time. In the first place, unlike
previous migrants, who were clearly subalterns, the
typical displaced families were vocal and considered it
a political right to be gainfully re-settled in the city.
They belonged to the same culture background as the
city's intelligentsia, and demanded to be heard.
Second, they settled in areas that were perilously
close to affluent South Calcutta neighborhoods:
Behala and Chetla bordered Alipur, Kasba and
Dhakuria were just next to Baligunj and Gariahat,
Jadabpur was not too far from the mansions of
Southern Avenue, and the brown and white sahibs
could no longer go to play golf without seeing the
slums in Tollygunge. The new urban poor could not be
put out of sight in the unmentionable parts of north
Calcutta.
The inherited (colonial) space was divided into quarters, or ghettoes: British, mixed-
race, and native town bordering the center (with slums interspersed in every quarter).
The new (post-colonial) space retained much of this inheritance with the race divisions
being replaced by class divisions. In addition, population pressure forced the city to
grow outward, with the farthest areas being occupied by the low income population.
The quartered structure of the colonial city was replaced by concentric half-circles, with
income declining with distance from the center. The area, adjacent to the CBD and
Burrabazaar (a large whole-sale market), was the native town during the colonial period;
its infrastructure deficiencies have increased over time, and the absence of planning
and investment here is evident in its congested lanes and by-lanes, open drainage, and
generally miserable living conditions. As expected, this area (north Calcutta) does not
house the elite or the upper income population.
Thus the growth of poor areas started taking place in the south (which is also a
refugee stronghold and a bastion of leftist politics). Slums came up on the least
desirable public land (along railway tracks, and open sewerage and drainage lines). The
problem of pavement dwellers also came up who were (and still are) mostly
concentrated in the CBD, Burrabazaar, and Chowrangee, and are also found in the high
income areas of Park Street and Alipur. There are few pavement dwellers in the slums.
Some residential segregation by occupation, religion, caste, and ethnicity continued
into the post-colonial period. For instance, one can find (in east Calcutta) a low caste
Hindu leather worker bustee of say 15,000 people adjacent to an equally large Muslim
leather worker or tailor bustee. This pattern of segregation is not only confined to the
poor: the business elite, which are generally non-Bengali, occupies the center; of
special interest are the Marwaris (a group of very prosperous entrepreneurs from
Rajasthan) who tend to live in the Burrabazaar or Park Street area. Professional South
Indians tend to reside around the Lakes, and professional Bengalis live in south
Calcutta. Fig 3.5 Present Phase

Attempts to reduce pressure of population on

Calcutta met with a varying degree of
success. The projects like Salt Lake City,
Baishnabghata-Patuli townships to the east of
the city were conceived and had a greater
degree of success due to their proximity to
Calcutta. The Urban expansion has been in all
directions, the exception is in the eastern
wetlands. But with the construction of the
eastern Metropolitan bye pass, this area has
also come under the threat of urban expansion.
The properties are changing hand very fast
along this road.

The compulsion arising from population

pressure is felt not only in the outer areas, but also in Calcutta proper. The older
buildings are being replaced by multi-storied housing and marketing complexes. Such
infrastructure demands more energy supply for efficient management of domestic and
industrial water supply, lift , passage, light etc. the roads have been widened to cater
the need of increasing traffic. Underground and circular rails have been introduced to
reduce the pressure on roads. Even with all these efforts certain parts within the
Calcutta Metropolitan area are not connected.
 Calcutta‘s problems are enormous. Apart from overcrowded roads and occasional
power crisis, this city is plagued with the problems of water logging, slums, and air,
noise and water pollutions. Some of the pollutants present are beyond the tolerance
limits.
 Chapter 4
Demography and Socio Economic Studies

4.1 Demography
4.1.1 Population of Kolkata Metropolitan Area
Fig 4.1.1 Map of KMA
 Size of population and its distribution over space play a very significant role in
spatial planning. According to census 2001 the total population of Kolkata Metropolitan
Area (KMA) is 14.96 million spread over an area of 1851.41 sq.km.
Fig 4.1.2 Growth of Population

POPULATION GROWTH
14.96
15 9.98 11.02

POP. IN 10
MILLIONS 5

0
1981 1991 2001

Source – City Development Plan Report

There has been a steady increase in the growth of population over the last two
decades. Growth Rate of Kolkata for the two decades has been 10.4% and 35.7%
4.1.2 Population Density
Population density is expressed as persons/hectare. Density greatly affects the
environmental condition of urban life. The scope for accommodating future addition to
population in high-density areas is much smaller than such scope in low density areas.
Fig 4.1.3 Population Density over last four decades (expressed in PPH)

POP. DENSITY

100 82.4
70.8
80 55.9 58.7
60
40
20
0
1971 1981 1991 2001

Source – City Development Plan Report

The population density has increased tremendously in the last four decades.
According to census 2001 the total population of Kolkata Municipal Corporation area is
4,572,876 spread over an area of 185 sq.km.

4.1.5 Population of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Fig 4.1.6 Composition of Male and Female

POPULATION OF K M C MALE & FEMALE POPULATION

2500040 2072836
3000000

2000000
FEMALE
45%
1000000 MALE
55%
0
MALE FEMALE

Source – Census of India, 2001.

The female population in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area is quite less as
compared to the male population. Density of population in KMC is 247 PPH. Sex ratio is
829 and house hold size is 4.9.
4.1.3 Population of Howrah Municipal Corporation
According to census 2001 the total population of Howrah Municipal Corporation area is
1,007,532 spread over an area of 51.74 sq.km.
Fig 4.1.7 Male and Female Population Fig 4.1.8 Composition of Male and Female

POPULATION OF HOWRAH Male & Female Population

523917
550000
483615 FEMALE
500000 48% MALE
52%
450000
MALE FEMALE

Source – Census of India, 2001.

 There is no significant difference to be seen in the male and female population of
Howrah Municipal Corporation. Density of population in Howrah Municipal Corporation
is 195 PPA. Sex ratio is 906 and house hold size is 5.1.
4.1.4 Population of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation
According to census 2001 the total population of Biddhan Nagar Municipal
Corporation area is 164,221 spread over an area of 20.34 sq.km.
Fig 4.1.9 Male and Female Composition of Bidhannagar

POPULATION OF BIDDHAN
NAGAR

83220
85000 81001

80000

75000
MALE FEMALE

Source – Census of India, 2001.

Fig 4.1.10 Male and Female Composition

Male & Female Population

FEMALE
49% MALE
51%

Source – Census of India, 2001.

The male and female population of Biddhan Nagar Municipal Corporation is

almost equal. Density of population in Biddhan Nagar Municipal Corporation is 81 PPH.
Sex ratio is 973 and house hold size is 4.3.
4.1.5 Sex Ratio
Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males.
 Fig 4.1.11 Sex Ratio of 3 M.C. of W.B.

SEX RATIO

973
1000 906
900 829
800

700
KMC HOWRAH BIDDHAN
NAGAR

Source – Census of India, 2001.

Sex Ratio of Kolkata Municipal Corporation is much less than the other Municipal
Corporations.
4.1.6 Household Size
Household size presents the average number of members in each house.

Fig 4.1.12 Household Size of 3 Municipal Corp. of W.B.

HH SIZE

5.5 5.1
4.9
5
4.3
4.5
4
3.5
KMC HOWRAH BIDDHAN
NAGAR

Source – Census of India, 2001.

Household size of Biddhan Nagar Area is quite low as compared to Howrah and Kolkata
Municipal Corporation.
Fig no. 4.1.13 Ward Wise Density Map of Kolkata Municipal Corporation

4.2

4.2 Socio Economic Studies:

Main study area is Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Haora Municipal Corporation,
Bidhannagar Municipality. All the three city area are studied on following parameters i.e.
SC, ST population, literately rate, total working population, main workers, marginal
workers, HH industry workers, rate of migration, HH and no of persons per HH etc.
Table 4.2.1 Socio Economic Profile

Kolkata M.C. Howrah Bidhan Nagar (M)

M.C.

Population 4,572,876 1,007,532 164,221

SC Population 274,835 48,759 20,467

ST Population 9,810 3,691 2,318

Total 284,645 52,450 22,785

Literates 3,382,103 768,655 67,239

Illiterates 1,190,773 238,877 37,634

4,572,876 1,007,532 104,873

Total Working population 1,717,734 346,984 62881

Main Workers 1,623,779 330,648 59863

Marginal Workers 93,995 16,336 3018

Check 1,717,774 346,984 125762

Total Working population (Male) 1,451,548 313,413 46,908

Main Workers (Male) 1,388,550 301,836 45,346

Marginal Workers (Male) 62,998 11,577 1,562

Main HH industry workers pop. 43,223 7854 330

Source: Census 2001

Table 4.2.2 SC-ST Population

Kolkata Howrah Bidhannagar

Population other 4,288,231 955,082 141,436

Total SC-ST Population 284,645 52,450 22,785

Source: Census 2001
Fig 4.2.1 SC-ST Population

SC-ST Population in Kolkata SC-ST Population in Haora

6% 5%

Population other Population other

Total SC-ST Total SC-ST

Population Population

94% 95%

SC-ST Population Bidhannagar Total SC-ST Population

6%
14%

Population other Population other

Total SC-ST Total SC-ST

Population
Population

94%
86%

Source: Census 2001

SC-ST population in Bidhannagar is comparatively higher than other two cities i.e.
Haora and Kolkata.
In Bidhannagar it is 14% of the total population where as in Kolkata and in Haora it is
6% and 5% respectively. Overall average it remains 6% of the total collective
population.
4.2.1 Literacy:
Table 4.2.3 Literacy

Kolkata Haora Bidhan Nagar

Literates 3,382,103 768,655 67,239

Illiterates 1,190,773 238,877 37,634

Source: Census 2001

Fig 4.2.2 Literacy Level

Kolkata Literacy Haora Literacy

26%
24%

Literates
Literates
Illiterates Illiterates

74% 76%
 Bibhan Nagar Literacy Total Literacy

26%

36%

Literates Literates
Illiterates Illiterates
64%

74%

Source: Census 2001

Literacy in Kolkata and Haora is almost same i.e. 74% and 76% respectively. In
Bidhannagar the literacy is 64%.
Overall literacy is 74% in study area.
4.2.2 Working Population:
Table 4.2.3 Working Population

Kolkata Haora Bidhan Nagar

Total Working population 1,717,734 346,984 62881

Remaining population 2,855,142 660,548 41992

Source: Census 2001

Fig 4.2.3 Working Population

Working Population in Kolkata Working Population in Haora

34%
38%
Total Working Total Working
population population
Rem aining population Rem aining population
62%
66%
 Working Population in Bidhan Nagar Total Working Population

37%
40% Total Working
population
Total Working
Rem aining population population
Remaining population
60%
63%

Source: Census, 2001

Total working population in KMC and HMC is almost same 38% and 34% and
Bidhan Nagar Working population is much higher than which is 60% but average
working population is 37%.
4.2.3 Marginal Workers:
Table 4.2.4 Marginal Workers

Kolkata Haora Bidhan Nagar

Total Working population 1,717,734 346,984 62881

Marginal Workers 93,995 16,336 3018

Source: Census 2001

Fig 4.2.4 Marginal Workers

Marginal workers in Kolkata Marginal Workers In Haora
5%
4%

Total Working Total Working

population population
Marginal Workers Marginal Workers

95% 96%
Marginal workers in all the three areas are same i.e. 4% to 5% only.
4.2.4 Working Population (M/F):
Table 4.2.5 Working Population

Kolkata Haora Bidhan Nagar

Total Working population (Male) 1,451,548 313,413 46,908

Marginal Workers in Bidhan Nagar Total Marginal Workers

5% 5%

Total Working Total Working

population population
Marginal Workers Marginal Workers

95% 95%
Total Working population (Female) 266,186 33,571 15,973
Source: Census, 2001

Fig 4.2.5 Working Population (Male/ Female)

Working Population Kolkata (M/F) Working Population Haora (M/F)

15% 10%

Total Working Total Working

population (Male) population (Male)
Total Working Total Working
population (Female) population (Female)

85% 90%

Working Population Bidhan Nagar (M/F) Working Population (M/F)

15%
25%

Total Working Total Working

population (Male) population (Male)
Total Working Total Working
population (Female) population (Female)

75%
85%
Source: Census 2001

Female workers % in total working population is less in KMC, HMC and in total
working population in all the three areas i.e. 15%, 10% & 15% respectively.
But Bidhannagar female working population is almost 1/4th i.e. 25% of total
working population.

4.2.5 Household Industry Workers:

Table 4.2.6 HH industry workers

Kolkata Haora Bidhan Nagar

Working population Rest 1,674,511 339,130 62551

Main HH industry workers pop. 43,223 7854 330

Source: Census 2001

Fig 4.2.6 HH Industry Workers

HH Industry Workers Kolkata HH Industry workers Haora

3% 2%

Working population Working population

Rest Rest
Main HH industry Main HH industry
w orkers pop. workers pop.

98%
97%
 HH Industry Workers Bidhan Nagar Total HH Industry Workers
1% 2%

Working population Working population

Rest Rest
Main HH industry Main HH industry
w orkers pop. workers pop.

99% 98%

Total HH industry workers are very low in proportion compare to total working
population it varies from 1% to 3% in all areas.
4.2.6 Migrants to Kolkata City during 1921-91:
Following table shows the total migration in Kolkata from 1921-1991. Major
significant migration seen in 1951 due to division after independence and in 1971 due to
formation East Pakistan i.e. Bangladesh. In 1951 maximum migration recorded 52.76%
and in 1971 i.e. 33.86%.
Table 4.2.7 Migrants to Kolkata City

Year Total Population (in Migrant Population (in % of

Lakh) Lakh) Migrants

1921 10.31 3.25 31.52

1931 11.41 3.57 31.29

1941 21.09 6.64 31.48

1951 25.49 13.45 52.76

1961 29.14 7.58 26.01

1971 31.36 10.62 33.86

1981 33.05 9.28 28.08

1991 33.80 7.12 21.06

Source: CDP Kolkata

If we classify migrants in Kolkata according to last place of residence out of

712,617 migrants 28% are from other parts of west Bengal, 46% are from other states
of India and 26% are from outside India.
 Table 4.2.8 Classification of Migrants by Origin

Place of Last Residence Persons %

198,853 27.91
West Bengal (other Places)
Other states in India 326,253 45.78
Outside India 187,291 26.28
Unclassifiable 220 0.03
Total Migrants 712,617 100.00
Source: CDP Kolkata

Fig 4.2.7 Classification of Migrants by Origin

Migrants Classification by Origin

0.03%
26.28% 27.90% West Bengal
(other Places)
Other states in
India
Outside India

Unclassifiable
45.78%

Source: Census, 2001

4.2.7 Economic Structure:

Due to high Industrialization in KMC concentration of economic activities is quite
prominent in 80s and 90s, but after economic reform and constitutional amendment 74th
in 1992 decentralization seen or observed prominently.
Table 4.2.9 State Domestic Product in KMA by major sectors

Area / Item Year Primary Secondary Tertiary Total

 1985-86 65.46 1312.50 1790.07 3168.03
KMA Rs in
1993-94 74.23 1514.92 2413.08 4002.23
Lakhs
2001-02 50.14 2362.18 5586.96 7999.28

1985-86 1.81 43.21 47.74

KMA's share
in West 1993-94 1.33 33.95 33.70
Bengal (%)
2001-02 0.65 32.31 37.74

1985-86 2.07 41.43 56.50 100.00

Distribution of
SDP in KMA 1993-94 1.85 37.85 60.30 100.00
by sector (%)
2001-02 0.63 29.53 69.84 100.00
Source: Statistical Abstract, 2001-02, Govt. of WB

KMA‘s share in West Bengal by sector reduced evenly as per time primary sector
is reduced to one third secondary and tertiary sector also reduced little bit.
SDP in KMA by sector: Earlier in 85-86 it was 40% and 56% in secondary and
tertiary sector share of secondary sector reduced as per time and as KMA become
urbanized more and more tertiary sector component touching 70%.
Table 4.2.10 Growth of Productive Capital and Net Value

Area Productive Capital (Rs in thousand) Net Value Added (Rs in thousand)

1985-86 1990-91 1997-98 1985-86 1990-91 1997-98

KMA 16007239 23799501 1999586699 12716082 20972863 68839845

Source: Annual Survey of Industries, CSO, GoI

Table 4.2.11 No. of Large & Medium Industry units & Investment therein from 1991 to 2002:

Share of
West KMA- KMA in
Sr.No. Industry Item
Bengal districts West
Bengal

Cement, Glass, No. of Units 43 15 34.90

1 Ceramics & Fly Ash
Bricks Investments (Rs. Crore) 843.11 456.16 54.10

2 Chemicals, No. of Units 50 22 44.00

 Petrochemicals
2.90
Industrial Gases Investments (Rs. Crore) 9143.79 263.69

Drugs, No. of Units 17 14 82.40

3 Pharmaceuticals
and toilet Goods. Investments (Rs. Crore) 172.98 94.98 54.90

Electronic and No. of Units 37 36 97.30

4
Electrical Investments (Rs. Crore) 818.42 368.32 45.00

No. of Units 43 36 83.70

5 Engineering
Investments (Rs. Crore) 267.3 205.45 76.90

No. of Units 106 46 43.40

6 Food products
Investments (Rs. Crore) 658.9 403.09 61.20

Hotel, hospital, No. of Units 28 19 67.90

7 Service sector,
Multimedia etc. Investments (Rs. Crore) 637.48 600.84 94.30

No. of Units 9 9 100.00

8 Leather and rubber
Investments (Rs. Crore) 94.05 94.05 100.00

Metallurgical No. of Units 6 5 83.30

9
Products Investments (Rs. Crore) 250.01 245.01 98.00

Paper Wood, No. of Units 9 5 55.60

10
Plywood and Board Investments (Rs. Crore) 57.06 39.27 68.80

No. of Units 34 27 79.40

11 Plastic Goods
Investments (Rs. Crore) 368.91 100.51 27.20

Software And No. of Units 36 33 91.70

12
Telecom Investments (Rs. Crore) 328.31 293.81 89.50

Steel Ingots, Alloys, No. of Units 142 80 56.30

13 Sponge Iron, Steel
Products Investments (Rs. Crore) 6768.21 1245.66 18.40

14 Textile (wool, Silk, No. of Units 56 48 85.70

 Kitted goods, Jute,
Ready garments, 77.00
yarn) Investments (Rs. Crore) 1210.32 931.66

No. of Units 42 28 66.70

15 Miscellaneous
Investments (Rs. Crore) 482.3 248.43 51.50

No. of Units 658 423 64.30

Total Investments (Rs.
25.30
Crore) 22101.15 5591.03
Source: Annual Report, 2002-03, Commerce & Industries Department Govt. of WB

Chapter 5
Resources

5.1 Land
Kolkata city, under the jurisdiction of the KMC, has an area of 185 km² .The
Kolkata urban agglomeration, however, has continuously expanded and the urban
agglomeration Kolkata Metropolitan area is spread over 1,750 km².
5.1.1 Land Distribution in Kolkata Metropolitan Area
Table 5.1 Land Distribution in Kolkata Metropolitan Area

S.No Administrative Jurisdiction Area Percentage

1 KMC (Kolkata Municipal 185 Sq Km 10.57%

Corporation)

2 HMC (Howrah Municipal 24.20 Sq Km 1.38%

Corporation)

3 CMC (Chandannagore 22.03 Sq Km 1.13%

 Municipal Corporation)

4 Other Municipalities and 1518.77 sq Km 86.9%

Panchayats

Total KMA 1750 Sq Km 100%

Source- Vision 2025, Perspective Plan of K.M.A-2025

5.1.2 Land Availability in KMC

Fig 5.1 Availability of Land in KMC

Distribution of Land

14%

7%

Built up
Roads
Open Spaces

79%

Source- Vision 2025, Perspective Plan of C.M.A-2025

The land distribution pattern in KMC shows that about 79% of the land is already
built up on and only 14% of land has been left for open spaces; also the percentage
under roads is also 7% which is one of the major reasons for the poor condition of
traffic.
5.1.3 Land Suitability
About 16.2% land in Kolkata is very good for development, around 42.2% is
considered good while 36% of the land is not suitable for development, and this
indicates that the majority of the land is developable, in terms of soil quality and bearing
capacity of the soil.
Fig 5.2 Land suitable for development in KMC

16.20%

good
42.20% very good
17.70% very poor
poor
moderate

19.60% 4.00%
Source:www.kmdaonline.org

5.1.4 Land Values

Fig 5.3 Land Values in
KMC
Table 5.2 Land Rates in Kolkata

Source-www.magicbricks.com

Land rate is highest around the central part of the city near the CBD area, like the
park street and the Ballygunge .The eastern part of the city has medium land rates,
while land rates are lowest in the northern and the southern parts. Since most of the
development is taking place in the eastern part of the city like Saltlake and New town,
land rates are presently on the higher side.
5.1.5
Area Land Rate/ sq ft 2005 Land
Polici
Alipore 6250 es-

Behala 2100 5.1.5.1

Land
Ballygunge (prime areas) 7700 Acqui
sition
Ballgunge (other areas) 7000 Act,
EM Byepass (near Rash Behari 5555 1894
Connector) T
Park Street/ Theatre Road 7700 his Act
authori
Shyam bazaar 2430 zes
govern
VIP Road 1736

Salt lake 12100

Garia, Sonarpur, Palian, Madhyam 625

gram
ment to acquire land for public purposes such as planned development, provisions for
town or rural planning, provision for residential purposes to the poor or landless and for
carrying out any education, housing or health scheme of the Government. In its present
form, the Act hinders speedy acquisition of land at reasonable prices, resulting in cost
overruns.
5.1.5.2 Center’s new policy on land acquisition
The centre has accepted a new policy under which entrepreneurs could acquire
70 per cent of land directly from the farmers with their consent.
"Seventy per cent land has to be acquired by the entrepreneur and, if required, it can
seek help of the government for acquisition of the remaining 30 per cent"
5.1.6 Urban Extensions
5.1.6.1 Kalyani
Land
Major portion of the land was vacant and easily available after moving of the British.A
part of land was acquired from 10 mouzas and 14 villages as per land acquisition act
1894.Residential area are predominantly plotted.
Plot Size
In Kalyani majority of the plots are above 270 sq m, around 25.6% plots are above 670
sq m. Only 5% plots are 200 sq m while only 2.65% plots are 130 sq m.
The landuse distribution shows that residential area is about 40.7% which is less
than the desirable and open spaces comprise of 31.2% which includes the vacant plots.
Industrial sector is also reasonably on the higher side with 11.04% while transportation
sector is just 7.1% which on much lower side.
5.1.6.2 Salt Lake
Land was acquired by the government of West Bengal under the land acquisition
act 1894.The land of salt lake was reclaimed by silt laden slurry taken from the Hooghly
river. Silt was dredged from the river by a cutter section dredger and brought to deposit
at Salt Lake through a mile long pipeline through Bagjola canal and Keshtopur canal.
Five sectors of Salt Lake were developed in four phases. The whole process continued
from 1960 to 1988.
The land parcels were disposed off on lease through lottery and leased for 999 years.
Plot Size
There are 12582 no of plots.44% of the plots are 130 to 200 sq m.39.7% plots are 270
Sqm.11.62% plots are of 300 sq m, Bigger plots are very less in number, mere 3.8%
plots are 400 sq m, and 0.46% are of 670 sq m.
5.1.63 Rajarhat
Other than some settlements all land parcels which were under private ownership, have
been acquired according to Land Acquisition act 1984.There are lot of wet land and low
lying area in the project. The land development cost is Rs 2000/- per sq m.
Plot Size
There are plots for cooperative, individual, and group housing for various economic
groups.
Table 5.3 Plot Sizes in NewTown Rajarhat

Category Description Size(in mt) Area (Sq mt)

A Group Housing Plot 100x50 or 77x65 5000

B Group Housing Plot 50x40 2000
C Group Housing Plot 40x25 1000
D Group Housing Plot 25x20 500
E Group Housing Plot 25x16 400
1 HIG Co-operative 26.6x15 400
2 MIG Co-operative 22.3x15 335
3 LIG Co-operative 21.6x12.5 270
4 HIG Individual II 24x12.5 300
5 HIG Individual I 20x10 200
6 MIG Individual 15x10 150
Source-WBHIDCO

5.1.6.4 Dankuni
The land of the delineated area is predominantly vacant.The existing topography
is flat.All Vacant land are unproductive for agricultural use,but low lying having hard
strata,suitable for development.Only land filling of 1.2 m depth is needed.All the parcels
of land are presently under private ownership and supposed to be handed over to the
government.
5.2 Resource: Finance
The public sector has been a prominent actor in the urban housing sector in the State of
West Bengal for the past three decades. Housing reforms introduced in tandem with
economic reforms since 1990 have led to a shift in public housing strategies from direct
provision of housing to providing housing in a more market-oriented model. In line with
international trends, privatization, partnerships, cost recovery, efficiency, productivity
and choices have been the dominant concepts gaining ground. Any number of
newspapers, articles, trade bulletins, investment advertisements and political debates
could be cited to support the phenomenal change in the housing sector in Kolkata in
recent years. The liberalization process in India, started in 1991, has been pervasive but
its application has not been stringently enforced and, thus, it is yet to establish a firm
foothold. State governments, in general, have been given enough leeway in their modus
operandi, and in determining the degree of liberalization, to be free to tailor policies to
suit their socioeconomic and political contexts. States such as West Bengal, as a result,
have been vying for the opportunity that liberalization has offered despite their socialist
political environment. As well as creating conditions for attracting private and foreign
capital for accelerating real estate growth, the State is also seeking to strengthen its
position as a housing provider in the market.
Table 5.4 Estimated Growth of Public Housing Stock

Ratio of
Population of Total Ratio of public
household to
Kolkata public housing stock
Year public
Metropolitan housing per
housing
Area(millions) stock 1000population
dwellings

1991 11.02 60469 35.80 5.49

2001 13.11 86895 29.10 6.66

2004 14.36 90935 30.50 6.44

Percentage
increase, 30.30 -17.40 17.30
1991-2004
Source: Population from National Institute of Urban Affairs (2001); KMDA (2000); GOWB (1988, 1991,
2004a, 2004b).

Table 5.5 KMDA’s classification of the proportion of Different Income Groups in Kolkata

Economic Group Monthly Household Percentage of

Income(Rupee) Household in
KMA

High-income group(HIG) Above 10,000 2.90

Middle-income group(MIG) 5000-9999 16.40

Low-income group (LIG) 2000-4999 53.30

Economically weaker section 1999 27.40

Source: KMDA (2000)
Table 5.6 House Price to Income Ratios, Public and Private Housing

Private housing
Public Housing
Median market
Median
Household
area Median
income House House
Type (square current
per month Median Price to Price to
metres) estimated
(Rs) Price Income Income
Market
Ratio Ratio
Price

LIG units 38.92 15000 248780 1.34 475000 2.63

MIG units 57.25 18000 452240 2.1 800000 3.7

HIG units 86.5 30000 846862 2.4 1475000 4

Source: Field survey (2004) Urban Studies, Vol 44, No10, 2009-2027, Sep-2007

Fig 5.4 Sources of Finance in Kolkata

5.3 Building Materials and Technologies
5.3.1 Traditional Building Materials
Being located in the Gangetic Valley, Mud and Brick have been the traditional building
material in Bengal.Use of stone as a building material has been very prominent during
the British period.Bamboo has also been used as building material since ages.
Terracotta:
Bengal is proud of her ancient terracotta art. Decorative terracotta tiles of the past
centuries still adorn numerous temples and adjoining structures in the districts of
Bankura, Birbhum and Midnapore. The bold local styles that the village artisans evolved
operated as a great lever in the evolution of Bengal art, adding to the wealth and variety
of colour and design. The traditional potters or "Khumbhakars" have been producing
domestic and decorative items by moulding dry and burnt clay over the ages.
5.3.2 Present Building Materials
5.3.2.1 Roofing Materials
Table 5.7 Roofing material Distribution in West Bengal

Tiles/Slates 34.86%

Grass/Thatch/Bamboo 21.61%

Concrete 20.86%

G.I metal/Asbestos 19.96%

Source-Census 2001

Among the districts the highest percentage of household having tiles / slates as
roof material are Maldah (64.11%), Haora (57.33%) and N. 24Parganas (52.75%).
Birbhum has the highest percentage of households having grass/ thatch / bamboo as
roof material with 60.58% to total households followed by Bankura (47.68%) and
Medinipur (39.13%). Kolkata has the highest percentage of households (52.96%) living
under concrete roofs followed by Haora (32.20%) and N.24 Parganas (31.91%).
5.3.22 Walling Materials
Table 5.8 Walling Material Distribution in West Bengal
Burnt Brick 39.95

Mud/Unburnt Brick 37.93%

Grass/Thatch/Bamboo 16.88%
Source-Census 2001
 In rural areas, however, burnt brick is the wall material in case of 23.05%
households in 2000 ,while in case of urban areas in 2000, 74.40% of the households
live in houses having burnt brick as wall material .In rural areas, however, mud /unburnt
brick still continue to be the dominant material for construction of walls at 52.47%..
Among the districts Kolkata has the highest percentage (82.76%) of households living in
houses with burnt brick as wall material followed by Haora (64.79%) and N. 24
Parganas (57.14%). Birbhum has the highest percentage of households (78.33%) living
in houses with mud / unburnt brick as wall material followed by Bankura (73.47%) and
Purulia (70.64%). North Bengal districts have higher percentage of houses built with
walls made of grass / thatch / bamboo etc. with Koch Bihar having 81.15% of the
households living in such houses.
5.3.23 Flooring Materials
Table 5.9 Flooring material Distribution in West Bengal
Mud 61.97%

Cement 32.23%

Brick/Stone 2.65%

Mosaic/Floor tiles 2.35%

Source-Census 2001

Development of Building Materials

The Shelter Promotion Council is planning to promote Building Centre, with assistance
from HUDCO in near future.
Technologists, scientists and experts associated with the Council have developed the
following materials:
(a) Low-cost roofing materials.
(b) Low-cost building blocks.
(c) Low-cost non-structural mortar.
(d) Different types of R.C. components.
(e) Fly Ash blocks and cementing materials.
(f) Red mud mortar and blocks.
(g) Chemical for protecting Salt Peter action in Building Situated in Coastal areas
5.3.3 Building Centres Sponsored By HUDCO-
LAMP has been extending support to assist poor shelterless people for
construction of low cost shelter. In this connection, LAMP received assistance and
support from HUDCO, Kolkata for establishing a Building Centre at Sonamukhi,
Bankura District. The Building Centre has been set up with a view to ensure:
• Technology transfer from ―lab‖ to ―land‖.
• Skill up-gradation and training to the construction workers at various levels.
• Production of building materials components using appropriate technology.
• Construction of low-cost housing/building using the trained workers and the
components produced at the Sonamukhi Building Centre, as a cost effective building
construction system.
In this building center, local construction workers have been getting training
facilities and production of various cost-effective building construction materials has also
been continuing. Building Centre has also been providing consultancy service on cost-
effective building technology in its areas of operation in Kolkata, Bankura and 24
Parganas South districts
 Chapter 6
Physical Infrastructure
6.1 Introduction
The basic physical systems of a country's or community's population, includes
roads, utilities, water, sewerage, drainage, solid waste management, electricity etc.
These systems are considered essential for healthy living environment. The major
infrastructure includes:

 Water Supply
 Sewerage System
 Drainage System
 Garbage Disposal
 Electricity
6.2 Water Supply
6.2.1Sources of Water Supply:
The Master Plan recommended use of ground water for Municipal Water Supply,
to northern side of KMA on both banks of the Hooghly, as it was found after
investigations by GSI that good ground water would be available in northern KMA.
The Master Plan recommended surface water supply in southern portions and
central portions of KMA. Piped water supply was suggested for those areas of central
and south KMA where population densities would be more than 25 PPA. Localised
ground water system was suggested for areas having less than 25 PPA.
The whole of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area was subdivided into
following:

 Palta Service District—on the northern part of KMC in east bank for north of
Kolkata.
 Deep tubewells in the parts of Jadavpur for the southern parts of KMC.
 Garden Reach Service District—on the east bank for the south and south east of
Kolkata Corporation.
Present Situation
Municipal water supply presently is derived from treated surface water of River
Hooghly and through exploitation of ground water by Deep Tube Well (DTW) and Hand
Tube Well (HTW). Moreover, water demands of industrial, commercial and institution
(ICI) establishments are partly met by private exploitation of ground water. Major water
supply for KMA is available from surface water treatment plants located on different
parts of KMA. The ground water table level has gone down to 20m.
Surface treated water was not available to majority areas of KMA, so these areas
depend on ground water. Due to deep tube wells the quantity of water is becoming
unpredictable day by day.
 The city and its suburbs require 330 million gallons of water per day (MGD).
However, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation's water supply falls woefully short.
Palta Water Works, built in the 1860s, currently supplies about 180 MGD. While
the Garden Reach Water Works built in the 1970s, supplies 60 MGD to pockets of south
Calcutta. The rest of the city's demand is met by deep tubewells, mostly located in
Jadavpur and the south-eastern fringes of Calcutta.
The city's water supply systems, most of which were built during the 1870s, have
developed cracks at several places, leading to a loss of 30 per cent of the water
supplied every day. This results in water reaching the city at very low pressure, which
has necessitated the installation of several booster pumping stations all over the city.
Fig 6.1 Sources of Water Supply

6.2.2 Supply Norms:

The following daily per capita norm was recommended by the Master Plan:

 Kolkata Corporation and Howrah Old Municipality—270 lpcd

 All other Municipal Areas—227 lpcd
 Urban areas having more than 25 PPA density—227 lpcd
 Other urban areas having lesser density (ground water only)—90 lpcd
Quantity of water supply:
Total number of households –9, 29,586
Number of households having municipal water supply –2, 68,000
6.2.3 Quality of Water:
In the central areas, water is highly saline. In the southern areas quality of water
is poor. There are traces of arsenic present in the water. Also there is presence of iron
which is causing deposition of iron ions on the inner surface of water carrying conduits.
The water from river Hooghly is been treated and supplied to very limited areas of KMA
through the treatment plants while the rest depend on the ground water.
6.2.4 Salt Lake:
The daily demand of water that stands at 9 million gallon a day will touch 20
million gallon by then. At present, the municipality receives around 6 million gallon from
Tala and the civic body pumps in around 3 million gallon every day.
Civic officials conceded that the township does not have a water treatment plant.
It has to depend on the daily supply of filtered surface water from the Kolkata Municipal
Corporation. According to an agreement, the municipality can get a maximum of 10
million gallon of filtered water per day, but receives much less now.
There exists an underground reservoir with a capacity of five million gallon per
day for emergency. But it will be of little help in tackling the crisis. At present, the 17
water tanks at Salt Lake have a capacity of 20,000 gallon each.

6.2.5 Water Supply Projects:

There are many projects which are in the pipeline:

 Potable water supply for the residents of KMA.

 Piped water supply-80% population covered.
 Piped water supply to fringe areas also.
 During last five years, Rs.163 crore spent on water supply projects.
 Rs. 135 crore being spent for on-going water supply projects. 8 major schemes of
Nadia, Hooghly and north and south 24 Parganas.
 Rs. 263.86 crore to be spent on 5 major water supply projects under JNNURM in
near future in districts of Hooghly and Howrah.
 It‘s an aim to increase water production to 698 MGD by 2025 to maximise surface
water supply coverage.

6.3 Drainage and Sewerage Facilities:

River Hooghly flowing more or less centrally through the urban concentration of
the Metropolitaan Area of Kolkata is the only source of surface water. It has become
vulnerable to pollution consideration .On the perspective of limitations highlighted,
development efforts continued in massive scale.
In spite of all efforts Kolkatta remains water logged in absence of proper outfall.
Worth mentioning is East and South Kolkata .Similarly for other urban areas the
problem of water logging is too acute resulting flooding of on-site facilities.
Out of three corporation areas viz. Kolkata, Howrah and Chandanagore and 41
Municipal Bodies underground facility for drainage and sanitation mainly existed in
Calcutta Corporation Area and for sanitation in some portion of four municipal areas viz
., Bhatpara , Titagarh , South DumDum and Serampore .At a later date such facilites
was also provided in Kalyani .
Drainage and Sanitation for Kolkata: The Kolkata city‘s underground facility was
designed to function as combined system i.e. it was designed to carry besides dry
weather flow also storm run –off to the extent of ¼ ‗‘ rainfall per hour for the Town
System and 1/6 ‗‘ rainfall per hour for the Suburban System with 100% run –off and
most of which were completed much before in Pre-independence period (1875-1930).
The Town System mainly covered the entire area North of A.J.C. Bose Road
upto Circular Canal and it extended from river bank at west to Beliaghata Canal in East
whereas the Suburban System covered areas in South of A.J.C. Bose Road and
extended upto the Budge Budge Railway line in south and from Railway line East upto
the areas of New Alipore, Kidderpore etc. on the West .Subsequently skeleton
underground facilities were introduced on the Eastern side of Beliaghata Canal as also
in areas of Tollyganj etc. The Kolkata combined system was designed to function mainly
through three major outfall pumping stations viz. Ballyganj, Palmer bridge and Dhapa
lock with some intermediate lifting stations which finally discharged to dry weather flow
channel at Topsia point –‗A‘ .In monsoon months the combined flow besides being
discharged to those high level sewers are also discharged to another channel which
meets at Bantala the combined flow flows through Kolkata storm water flow channel
ultimately discharging to Kultigong through Ghusighata Sluice .The dry weather flow
channel also discharging to Kultigong through Ghusighata Sluice .The dry weather flow
channel also discharge to Kultikong as parallel channel to the Kolkatta Storm Water
Flow Channel.
Drainage And Sanitation in other Areas of C.M.A : It has been mentioned already
that besides Kolkata underground facility in skeleton form existed in five municipal areas
.Besides that drainage facilities for entire metropolitan areas was ensured through
surface drainage lined or unlined , nikashis discharging to different water bodies but
mainly to several canals having outfalls to river Hooghly and for some to Kulti-Haroa
gong estuaries of the Bay of Bengal .So far sanitation is concerned mainly on-site
facility functioned either in the form of sanitary or insanitary service latrines at individual
premises.
The canals discharging to river Hooghly for East Bank are mainly Churial ,
Monikhali , Tolly‘s Nallah , Circular Beliaghata Canal , Khardah Khal , Anti Maleria Khal
, Bagher Khal , Kolkata Storm water flow channel , Tollygung –Panchanna Gram
Branch Canal system discharging to Kulti-Haroa Gong system of estuaries of the Bay of
Bengal .In west bank finally drainage is effected through Borjola Canal , Howrah
.Drainage Canal and its branch channels , Bally –Dankuni Khal and its branch channels
.Dayer Khal , Banighata Khal , Basipota Khal , Chas Khal etc. Bagh Khal ,
Chandannagore ditch and Rashbhara Khal etc. All such canal for west bank discharge
to river Hooghly .
6.4 Solid Waste Management
Collection & Transportation:
Collection and Transportation system is not efficient in the city. Congested parts of
some Wards are still deprived of this service.
Some areas are still dependent on Vat system, thus crating nuisance to the health and
environment.
Disposal System and Treatment:
At present there is no land-fill site (Mollar Bherry being used as far that for the time
being). Dhapa is another site used for the solid waste disposal in Salt Lake.
But, the disposal system is unhygienic as there is no treatment unit.
Processing & Recycling
As there is no system of Processing and Recycling the quantity of Wastes generated
can not be minimized and if steps are not taken immediately, this will create in scarcity
of Dumping land.

6.5 Electricity
Electricity in Kolkata is provided by CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation)
CESC Limited, a RPG company - brought thermal power to India more than 100 years
ago and supplies power to the city of Calcutta, serving 11 million population across its
licensed area, spread over 567 sq. km
6000 consumers used 12 million units of power in 1912 and in 1925 the quantity
delivered exceeded 100 million units. In 2001-02, the figure exceeded 7000 million
units. The peak load so far handled more than 1,200 MW. The number of CESC
consumers has already crossed 1.9 million.

6.6 Urban Poor

The problem of Calcutta‘s urban poor (as also of other metro centres) has
bedevilled planners and social scientists for quite some time not just because of the
living condition but also because of the gruelling in sanitary surrounding and a shocking
poverty. With slums mushrooming at an alarming rate, current methodologies to control
and limit them have not been successful.
A survey clearly reveals that in the city where slums exist virtually in all the
municipal wards, slum improvement has not been attempted in a comprehensive
manner and limited only to the recognized slums whereas schemes of development and
housing in the satellite centres (like Slat Lake) have progressed.

It was in 1966 for the first time a project proposal for slum improvement work was
drawn up by the Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMPO) for improving the
sanitary situation in the slums mainly to control cholera and other enteric diseases.
The standard of slum improvement has been as follows:
(1) One sanitary toilet for 5 families or 25 persons,
(2) One water tap for 50—100 persons,
(3) Some improvement in the drainage and internal road system and putting up street
lights.
 Chapter 7
Spatial Structure
7.1. Introduction
7.1.1. History of Town Planning In Kolkata
Limits of Kolkata Were defined on 11 September 1794 By Lord Cornwallis for municipal
and judicial purposes. The first English settlement at Sutanuti consisted of mud and straw hovels
with a few masonry buildings, as the time went on their number increased. Total area covering
Sutanuti, Gobindapur & Kalikata as well as bazaar comprised 1692 acres.
In the 19th century Architectural & town planning policy was formed and Emphasis
on health, safety & convenience of the inhabitants. Town improvement committee marked the
beginning of laying of Great Central road running north and south through the whole length of
Kolkata.An axial route was planned as an alternative to it. But it was killed off by recoil of British
public opinion against the system of fund raising. Its place was taken by Fever Hospital
committee in the same year.
In Early 20th century Large and isolated road development schemes were suspended.
Development of suburban areas began.First planning document on Kolkata “report on
condition, improvement and town planning of city of Calcutta and contiguous areas” was
prepared by E.P Richards partly in London and partly in Kolkata between January 1913 and
March 1914.Report concluded by presenting 9 alternative schemes, with estimates of costs
Planning after Independence
The Calcutta metropolitan planning organization (CMPO) was formed in 1962 as a
result of cholera epidemics. For the first time technical skills of modern urban planning were
brought in order to provide relief in situations of acute urban crisis arising from inadequacy of
services and facilities.
7.1.2 Authorities

 The Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC), presently called as Kolkata Municipal

Corporation KMC, Central Civic Authority and the organ of local self government with
elected members of mayor-in-council.
 The Calcutta Municipal Trust (CIT) is the oldest separate authority for the planned
development. It was a independent body but in 1989, it was formally brought under Kolkata
Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
 The Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMPO) has now been abolished and its
functions are assumed by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). .It took
surveying functions.
 Calcutta Metropolitan Water and Sanitation Authority set up in 1966 is also under KMDA.
 Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA/KMDA) set up in 1971.
7.2 Kolkata Metropolitan Area
7.2.1 KMA Demographic Feature
Kolkata Metropolitan area, today extends over 1851 sq.km is am essential metropolitan outfit of
the city.
Table 7.2.1 Fig.7.2 Location of Municipal Corporations

Categories of areas No. Area (sq.km)

Municipal Corporation 3 271.31

Municipalities 38 615.49
CMC
Non-Municipal 77 200.10
Urban/Census Towns

Outgrowths 16 18.19

Rural Area 445 746.32 HMC

Total KMA 1851.41 KMC

Source: Vision 2025, Kolkata

Source: Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority

7.2.2 Area of Municipalities

Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the largest component of KMA with 197.54 sq.km
of area accounts for 10.60% of KMA‘s area and with 45.73 lakhs residents‘ accounts for
31.10% of KMA‘s population.

Other two municipal corporations viz; Chandanagore and Howrah extend over 3.9 (1.2 +
2.7) % of KMA‘s land accounting for 7.9 (1.1 + 6.8) % of KMA‘s population. The 38 municipal
towns of KMA extend over 33.2% KMA‘s land and shelter 45.1% of KMA‘s residents. The 77
CT‘s occupying only 10.80% of KMA‘s area providing home to 6.7% of KMA‘s population. a vast
chunk of KMA‘s land i.e. 40.3% is rural in nature accounting for only 8.7% of KMA‘s population.
 Chapter 8
Urban Governance
8.1 Introduction
KMA has three municipalities. Namely: HMC (Howrah Municipal Corporation), KMC
(Kolkata Municipal Corporation), CMC (Chandannagar Municipal Corporation).
Planning and Development in KMA
• PRE INDEPENDENCE – BEFORE 1947
- Formation of Local Bodies
- Improvement Trust (CIT & HIT)
• POST INDEPENDENCE – AFTER 1947
- Municipalities for planning
- CMPO established in 1960
- Calcutta Metropolitan Planning Area (Use & Development of Land) Control Act, 1965
- Formation of KMDA in 1972
- West Bengal Town & Country Planning Act 1979
• POST CAA, 1992
- 73rd & 74th Constitution Amendment Act, 1992
8.2 Evolution of Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA)
Hoogly river plays important role in development of KMA as this river divides the area in
East and West today the total area under KMA is 1851 Sq. Km. This includes 24
Parganas (North), 24 Parganas (South) covering whole Calcutta district.
There are 41 Urban local bodies (38 Municipalities, 3 municipal corporations namely
Kolkata, Howrah, Chandannagore)
527 towns and villages (101 Gram panchayats) in KMA
3 Levels of Metropolitan Region
• Area falling under 50 K.M. radius called Inner metropolitan region
• Area falling under 75 K.M. radius called Intermediate metropolitan region
• Area falling under 100 K.M. radius called Kolkata metropolitan region
Spread over 6 districts Kolkata, Hoogly, Howrah, Nadia.
Spatial Structure for KMA
Dispersal is quite more in KMA in last 20 years
1. Availability of land comparatively lower price
2. Suburban rail system
Population of KMC and HMC area in 1961 was about 57% of total KMA and
reduced to 38% in 2001
Hierarchy of the Centers
a) Metro centre: Kolkata is first order metro centre with allotted population about 4.75
million in 2025 and will continue to dominate the activities in metropolis and in
hinterland.
b) Metro Sub-centre: Howrah has been considered as 2nd order metro centre with
allotted population of about 1.55 million in 2025. This is also dominating centre next
to Kolkata.
c) Major centre: Apart from Kolkata and Howrah in total 15 centers have been
visualized in the metropolis of each centre ranging between 0.5 million and 0.75 million.
Most of these centers are at present existing.
i) Dankuni
ii) Sonarpur
iii) Naihati-Bhatpara
iv) Barrackpur
v) Barangar- Kamrathi
vi) Dum-Dum- South Dum Dum
vii) Garia- Jadavpur
viii) Budge Budge- Mahesthala
ix) Kona- Unsai
x) Bally- Jagacha
xi) Sarampur
xii) Bhadreshwar- Champdani
xiii) Hoogly- Chinsurah
xiv) Bansberia
d) Trans Metro City System: Five existing centers within the metropolis have been
identified as Trans metro city centers in the context that the anticipated growth of these
centers would extend beyond the metropolitan boundary to the inner metropolitan
region.
Centers are as follows:-
i) Kalyani
ii) Barasat
iii) Salt Lake- Rajarhat
iv) Baruipur
v) Uluberia- Bagnan
Fig 8.1 Map of KMA

Source: Thesis – SPA, BP/329/2002

8.3 KMDA (Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority)
It is the statutory planning and development authority for the Kolkata Metropolitan Area
(KMA) under provision of the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning &
Development) Act, 1979 and is mainly involved in planning, promoting and developing
the KMA. Initially formed under a Presidential Ordinance in 1970, it is today the agency
for planning, promoting and developing the KMA.

KMDA's role is multi disciplinary - it is the agency of city planning, it sculpts new areas
and townships, it develops physical infrastructure as well as provide basic services like
water, drainage, waste management. Besides these KMDA is also the Technical
Secretariat to Kolkata Metropolitan Planning Committee (KMPC), being the first of its
kind in India, constituted under the West Bengal Metropolitan Planning Committee Act,
1994.
Role of KMDA (Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority)
• City planning
• Sculpting new areas and townships in Kolkata
• Developing physical infrastructure like roads as well as providing basic services
like water supply, drainage, waste management and sanitation.
• KMDA is also the Technical Secretariat to Kolkata Metropolitan Planning
Committee (KMPC)
• Preparation of perspective and master plans and formulation and execution of
project proposals, besides carrying out land use and development control
functions.
• Health care and employment generation among urban poor

8.3.1 KMDA Organization Hierarchy

KMDA consists of 10 board members from Urban Development Department, KMC,
HMC, CMC, New Barrackpore Municipality, Finance Department, WBIDC having
Mayors, Councillors, Mayor-in-Council, Chairman, Principal Secretary, M.D. and Chief
Executive Officer.
KMDA has 9 departments. Namely:-
• Administration
• Constitution
• Establishment
• Land Acquisition
• Socio-Economics / Planning
• Programming & Monitoring
• Public Relations
• Training Cell
• Works Cell
Source: www.cmdaonline.com
8.3.2 KMDA Sectors
KMDA has 10 different sectors, namely:-
AD (Area Development) SECTOR
• BI & LIG Housing Sector (BUSP)
• Electrical & Mechanical Sector
• Finance
• Ganga Action Plan Sector
• Materials Sector
• MDP Sector
• Real Estate Sector
• SD & SWM Sector
• Traffic & Transportation Sector
KMDA has a Planning Directorate department with 3 major units, namely:-
Statutory Planning Unit
• Advanced Planning Unit
• Project Planning Unit
Source: www.cmdaonline.com
8.4 Planning Activities
Planning Directorate of KMDA was set up in 1974. The statutory Planning functions had
been delegated to KMDA under the T&C (P&D) Act 1979, since 1982, to undertake the
obligatory planning functions as per the Act; a physical planning wing was established in
1983. Besides the planning and implementation of selected schemes, KMDA started the
preparation of existing Land Use Maps and Registers (LUMR) as well as Outline
Development Plans (ODP). The amendment of the Act in 1994 (provided) for
preparation of Land Use Development Control Plans (LUDCP) in place of ODPs.
The Statutory Plans deals with the LUDCP. This Planning Unit was established in 6th
Oct, 2004. In November it was named as physical planning unit
There is also Perspective Plan having a VISION -2025. It has following visions:-
Vision 2005 - a perspective plan for 25 years for KMDA finalized
• Master plan for 25 years for traffic and transportation, water supply, drainage,
sewerage and sanitation finalized
• Development plans for environment, wetland, urban amenities and heritage,
education, health, employment and bustee improvement finalized
• City development plan for JN-NURM assistance finalized
• Projects worth Rs. 6939 Crore identified for various infrastructure development
• Designs of GIS for various capacity building of municipal bodies completed / in
progress
 • The vision is to provide sustained and improved quality of life through basic
urban services in an inclusive manner and create enabling environment for
enhanced economic activities by utilizing available resources efficiently, in an
eco-friendly manner while conserving heritage
The Real Estate projects by KMDA are:-
• Modern Apartments at Barrackpore
• DAKSHINI Housing Complex
• Barrackpore Housing (Phase-II)
• VAMBAY (Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana)
• Baishnabghata-Patuli Township Area
• Purba Housing
• GL Block Housing Complex
• Sourav Abasan
• Ashabari Housing Complex

8.4.1 Preparation of Perspective Plan

KMDA has been preparing Perspective Plans periodically. A continual updating
of development perspective is of utmost necessity and without it proper rationale cannot
be provided to any investment plan or any action plan. The first ever perspective plan
for the metropolis of Kolkata was prepared by KMPO way back in 1966.
Basic Development Plan: 1966-86 (BDP)
This was the First Perspective Plan document prepared by KMPO between
1960-61 to 1965-66, with the endeavor of the multidisciplinary expertise of KMPO, and
also with the direct assistance of Ford Foundation experts.
BDP suggested a Two Center Development Strategy for development: one at Kolkata
Howrah Metropolitan core, and the other at Kalyani Bansberia area about 40 km to the
north of the former it. Simultaneously, two more sectoral master plan documents and
other development plans were also prepared including setting out a document on
Regional Plan for West Bengal by CMPO (KMPO) as a pre-condition.

Development Perspective and a Four year Programme for KMD: 1976 (DPP)
This was prepared by KMDA. Center development strategy was suggested which
was a total departure from BDP. Kolkata-Howrah was considered to be the major center
with 26 partially self contained sub-centers of which 14 on the east bank and 12 on the
west bank of river Hoogly. A four year sector-wise investment plan with Lists of Projects
for implementation was also appended in the report.

Development Perspective Plan and Action Programme for KMD: 1987 (PSP)
Prepared by KMDA, indicated a Preferred Structure Plan Multi-Center
Development strategy, and was recognized as a strategy and levels and orders of
various centers were assigned depending upon the urban facilities available in them.
Kolkata and Howrah were identified as Metro Center and Metro Sub-center respectively,
along-with 7 Major Centers and 10 Minor Centers being distributed in both the banks of
the river.
A Perspective Plan for CMA: 2011- (Prepared in two Phases)
The Committee on Development Plans, Constituted by KMDA under provision of the
T&CP Act, 1979, Set up a Task Force in 1985 to prepare a Perspective Plan with 2011
as the planning horizon. Several Planning sub-groups were formed with resource
persons drawn from the University of Kolkata. Some professional papers were produced
by the Task Force. The state Planning Board made use of the above documents and
with the help of another set of working groups formed in the state Planning Board came
up with the final version of Perspective Plan for KMA: 2011 in 1991. The State Planning
Board also published three supplementary volumes in support of the perspective plan.
Some important features of the Plan are as follows:
• Delineation of three levels of Kolkata Metropolitan Regions
• Development of a hierarchical system of settlement pattern, in the Inner Metropolitan
Region within the orbit of 50 km radius from Rajbhawan including KMA, consisting of
district HQ, Sub- divisional HQ, Block HQ, Service Centers and Basic villages, and
• Development of 2 (two) million-plus cities --one at Uluberia - Bagnan area on the
west bank and the other at Barasat-Barrackpur area on the east bank with a view to
develop a strong urban system consisting Kalyani, Barrackpur, Barasat and Salt
Lake towns to create antimagnetic effect to the over congested Kolkata- Howrah
Metro Center, through construction of high speed transportation corridor part of
which are already available or under construction.

Plan for Metropolitan Development: 1990-2015

KMDA has a strategic long team view. To coincide with the tercentenary
celebration of the city of Kolkata, KMDA prepared this document which contains
development perspective and visualized by the planners of KMDA for the period 1990-
2015. The Plan also suggested the strategy of development, both overall and sectoral,
that should d be followed in KMA during the said period. Also, a list of major projects
along with preliminary cost estimates was provided in the Plan. This Plan was the basis
for formulation of the Kolkata Megacity Programme at a later date.
8.4.2 Vision-2025
• Vision 2005 - a perspective plan for 25 years for KMDA finalized
• Master plan for 25 years for traffic and transportation, water supply, drainage,
sewerage and sanitation finalized
• Development plans for environment, wetland, urban amenities and heritage,
education, health, employment and bustee improvement finalized
• City development plan for JN-NURM assistance finalized
• Projects worth Rs. 6939 Crore identified for various infrastructure development
 • Designs of GIS for various capacity building of municipal bodies completed / in
progress
• The vision is to provide sustained and improved quality of life through basic
urban services in an inclusive manner and create enabling environment for
enhanced economic activities by utilizing available resources efficiently, in an
eco-friendly manner while conserving heritage

8.4.3 Master Plan for Traffic & Transportation

It is a long range sectoral perspective for development of traffic and
transportation infrastructure, in conformity with the framework of development outlined
in
8.5 Municipal Corporations
8.5.1 Kolkata Municipal Corporation
8.5.1.1 Evolution
In 1794, municipal administration was shifted from the Collector to the Justices of
the Peace for the Town. It comprised of the Governor General, the members of his
Council and the Judges of the Supreme Court.

In 1847 the electoral system was introduced for the first time and the Justices
were replaced by a Board of 7 paid members. The Board was authorised to purchase
and hold property for improvement of the town, and to maintain roads and drains in
proper state. In 1852, this Board was replaced by a new one of four members, of whom
two were appointed by the Government and two were elected. Taxes were levied on
housing, lighting, horses and vehicular traffic.

In 1863 a new body was formed which elected its own Vice Chairman, and had a
regular Health Officer, Engineer, Surveyor, Tax Collector and Assessor.
It was during this time that the drainage and water supply were largely developed. The
New Market was established in 1874, and the Municipal Slaughter House in 1866.
Footpaths were made along with the main roads, and many other improvements carried
out. The house tax was raised to a maximum of ten percent.

In 1876 a new Corporation was created with 72 Commissioners. 48 of the

Commissioners were elected by ratepayers and 24 appointed by the Government. At
this time the two railway terminals at Howrah and Sealdah were connected by Harrison
Road. Changes continued in 1888 and 1899.

The Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) Act 1980 came into force on
January 1984. It extended the boundaries of Calcutta by including the Municipalities of
South Suburban, Garden Reach and Jadavpur within Calcutta. The number of wards of
the Corporation was raised from 100 to 141. The provisions relating to Bustees were
modified.
A major amendment was introduced in 1984 to remove certain procedural difficulties in
the matters of assessment and valuation of lands and buildings, recovery of taxes etc.

Most significant was the introduction of "Mayor-in-Council", with all the attributes of the
Cabinet form of government. This was a unique step in the area of Municipal
administration in India.

The objective of the new Act was to make the Corporation more efficient and effective.
The change in the Municipal Authority ensured that there would be three authorities:

a) The Corporation

b) The Mayor-in-Council, and

c) The Mayor.

The number of members of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation was to be 141 which
elected Councillors from the 141 wards.

The Corporation as the apex body discharges its function through the Mayor-in-Council,
consisting of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and 10 other elected members of the CMC. The
Mayor and the Chairman would be elected by the members who would hold office for 5
years.

The Corporation would group the wards of the Corporation into Boroughs. Each
Borough should have a Committee consisting of the Councillors elected from the
respective wards of the Borough. The Councillors would elect one of them as the
chairperson of the said Borough. The Borough Committees should be subject to the
general supervision of the Mayor-in-Council, and look after functions such as water
supply, drainage, collection and removal of solid waste, disinfection and health
immunisation, bustee services, lighting, repairs of certain categories of roads,
maintenance of parks, drains and gullies.

The Act of 1980 thus formed the framework of the modern Corporation with the
Municipal Commissioner as the Principal Executive Officer subject to the control and
supervision of the Mayor as the Chief Executive Officer. He is assisted by a group of
Senior Civil Officers comprising Joint Municipal Commissioners, Deputy Municipal
Commissioners, Chief Engineers, Controller of Municipal Finance and Accounts, Chief
Municipal Auditor and Municipal Secretary.

Subsequent to the renaming of the city in 2001, the Corporation is now known as the
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
8.5.2 Howrah Municipal Corporation
8.5.2.1 Evolution
The Howrah Municipality was formed in 1862. The municipal status changed and the
Howrah Municipal Corporation derived its present form in 1984 with the enactment of
The Howrah Municipal Corporation Act in 1980.
Following are the important Acts and Rules that forms the legislative framework for
operations of HMC
The Howrah Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, and subsequent amendments till
a)
date
b) The Howrah Municipal Corporation (Accounts) Rules, 1989
c) The Howrah Municipal Building Rules, 1991
d) The Howrah Municipal Corporation (Revenue) Regulations, 1996
e) West Bengal Valuation Board Act, 1978
f) The West Bengal Valuation Board (Valuation of Land and Buildings) Rules,
1984
g) MIC – Conduct of Business Regulations
h) Conduct of Business of the Borough Committees Regulations, 1996
Geographical area - 51.74 sq. kms
Total population of approximately - 10 lakhs (Census 2001).
Population density is 19,496 persons/sq km. HMC is divided into 5 boroughs and 50
wards, each representing an Election Ward. Each Borough consists of 10 wards.
Table No. 8.1 Details of Boroughs

Borough No Constituent Population No. of families below poverty line

Wards

I 1 to 9, 11 1,86,879 3,168

II 10,12 to 19, 1,75,563 1,988

29

III 20 to 28, 43 1,56,327 4,649

IV 30 t 38, 40 1,43,231 2,516

V 39, 41, 42, 3,20,735 7,166

44 to 50

Total 9,82,735 19,487

 8.5.2.2 Executive structure of H.M.C.
As per Section (3) of the HMC Act, Municipal Authorities for the purpose of carrying out
the provisions of the Act consists of:
• The Corporation
• The Mayor-In-Council
• The Mayor
• The Corporation consists of fifty elected Councillors. These Councillors
mentioned above are elected in general civic election or by-election of the
Corporation. Each Councillor is elected from a Ward of the Corporation.

The main Authority for carrying out the provisions of the Act is Mayor and Mayor-in-
Council. The Mayor is elected by the fifty Councillors. The Mayor-in-Council (MIC)
consists of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and five other elected Councillors. The Deputy
Mayor and five Councillors are nominated by the Mayor from amongst the elected
Councillors. The Mayor also assigns a portfolio of functions/ departments to each
member of MIC
Fig No. 8.2 Executive Structure of HMC

Corporation

Mayor Deputy Mayor

Personnel

Admin
General
Accounts

Audit

Building

Literacy
Total
Law
Workshop

Health
Public
Death
Birth/
n
Registratio
m
Crematoriu
ion
Administrat
Relation
Public

Other members of Mayor- in- Council

MMIC 1 M MMIC 3 MMIC 4 MMIC 5

MIC 2

Water Supply
Bustee

License
Poverty
Own Property Eradication
Survey Motor Vehicle Conservancy Lighting
Assessment
Planning Record Electricity
Collection
Market Stores
Roads Garden & Park
Drainage

8.5.3 Bidhannagar Municipality

The Bidhannagar area is a combination of a post independence planned city
(area-12.5 sq km). Bidhannagar was basically conceived as a planned township of five
Sectors-I, II, III, IV & V. Later, an added area of 20.98 sq km has been added to it in
1995. This area is remarkable for its vast wet land resource with pockets of habitable
land within. In 2006, Sector V, which is the Industrial Sector is separated from
Bidhannagar to form a new Municipal area ‗Naba-Diganta‘.
Like the other Municipal area, Bidhannagar cannot exercise power over the land.
Here the land is under the control of Urban Development Dept. and all the planning
programmes are generally proposed and formulated by both UD Dept. and KMDA. As a
result, it becomes a difficult task to plan at the Municipal level through people‘s
participation.
The planning has been considered according to people‘s demand and through
technical analysis and duly incorporated in DDP for the betterment of the Municipal
function.
Bidhannagar Municipality is a planned satellite township to the part of Kolkata. It
comprises

 5 Sectors
 23 Wards
 68 Blocks
The area of the Municipality is divided into 5 sectors. Out of these sectors, Sector V is
earmarked for IT industries.
8.6 Urban Governance in Municipal Bodies
8.6.1 Urban Governance
Urban life in India has undergone dramatic change in the last three/ four decades
with substantial changes. With the changing urban demographic scenario, the role of
the urban local bodies has assumed a new dimension. Through a genuine partnership
in planning and executing the improvement, there seems to be a greater possibility of
minimizing the disruptive and traumatic effects of changes and anticipated consequence
of planed social change.
A system of governance is ‗good‘ when all the stake holders – the government,
the bureaucracy, the business enterprises and the society – collaborate altogether to
achieve certain economic and social goals. Such collaboration has to be built on the
strengths of each stakeholder – the efficient use of capital by the private sector, the
concern for effectiveness in delivering services to the community sector and the macro
prospective government.
With the increasing rise in population in the cities are facing a rapid rise in
demand for urban services. If the total management, in the broad sense of the term, is
kept at the hands of the local government without active participation from the civil
society, the functioning may not reach the desired levels of efficiency.
In the Third World Countries and especially in India municipal governance are being
alienated from the civil society and steadily loosing the faith and confidence of the local
people. To the general public most municipal bodies are considered ineffective and
considered that they are only to pursue only the interest of a certain section of the
society. The general public being unhappy with the traditional role of government feel
the need for a complete rethinking of the mode of governance rather than negating the
government itself. The concept of good governance has assumed significance in recent
times at it involves the needs and aspiration of the people. The World Bank has
identified three distinct aspects of governance:

 The form of political regime

 The process by which authority is exercised in the management of a countries
economic and social resources for development
 The capacity of government to design, to formulate and implement policies and
discharge functions

The emergence of new forms of voluntary associations organized by political parties

and trade unions represent new social forces in urban life. If the development starts at
the grass- root level and the initiative, creativity and energies of the people can be used
to improve their own cities, the become awakened and motivated to release their
potential for real and sustainable development.
Good governance has been linked to the problems of sound and efficient
management. Imposed development since 1980s has been steadily substituted by
autonomous people- driven development concept, and to make this reality, the role of
the state should be minimized by making room for the voluntary sector, on the one
hand, and free market forces, on the other. The shift towards NGOs has frequently been
justified as an expression of emphasis on popular participation or participatory
development and has been favoured by multilateral agencies.
8.6.2 Possible Municipal- Civil Society Partnership
Participation leads to an alternative pattern of development, which is both equitable and
environmentally sustainable. Within the changing scenario, the role of government will
be changed as a facilitator rather than a regulator and a provider. The development
concept has been broadened with a new focus on the poor and the disadvantaged
groups specially the women.
There can be no denying that active participation of the civil society through their
participation in the policy making and implementation process would go a long way in
giving shape to decentralization.
Table – 8.2 Roles of Elected Representatives in the Participatory Process

Areas of Governance Objectives of Participation

Development plans and Projects Effectiveness Efficiency capacity

Building

Local Services Effectiveness Efficiency Community

Awareness Capacity Building
Empowerment

Public Policy and Planning Capacity Building Effectiveness

Source: Vision 2025

8.6.3 Urban Society and Governance in CMA

The CMDA Slum Improvement Programs was started in 1971 as one of the
pioneering ventures. Apart from the physical improvement like provision of water taps,
sanitary toilets, drainage, road paving, street – electricity etc. there have been various
socio- economic development projects like provision of primary schools, grass- root
health facilities, small-scale entreprenuer‘s program, in 1971, special nutrition program
followed by ICDS program for slum children from 1975 onwards, non- formal adult
education etc.
In the slums, there are many NGO‘s and voluntary agencies who have been
doing very useful social service work. They are being financed by European, Canadian,
Australian or American Development agencies. There are few NGO‘s who have been
working in close cooperation with the government. These include Ramkrishna Mission
Lok Sikhsa Parishad, Women‘s Coordinating Council but these also get foreign funds
apart from grants from the Central Government.
8.6.4 Community Participation
All India Institute for Hygiene and Public Health (AIIH & PH) launched a
Decentralized Community Based Arsenic Mitigation Project in the year 2001, which is
implementing the program in partnership with 16 local NGO‘s and in collaboration with
the Panchayat, Zila Parishad and State Government.
The beneficiaries in each of the 400 villages will be clustered under a Community
group, with participation from the NGOs, assigned to work in the area. The village
Panchayat would be involved closely in the implementation of the program. Thus, 400
such Community groups would be constituted. AIIH & PH would help capacity building
in local NGOs and community and community groups respect of water quality testing
and arsenic removal technology. This would help the local people to identify the
problem and take appropriate measures for migration and ensure sustenance as well as
the continuity of the program.
8.6.5 Relationship between NGOs and Municipalities
There should be a well – developed program carefully worked out though joint
consultations between the agencies for each specified item of development work for the
urban poor. Several NGOs are working in various schemes of the Central Government
especially in areas of education, health and family planning, women‘s literacy and
empowerment and sanitation.
Moreover, there is a lack of professionalism in the voluntary organizations and
the professional spirit has not developed because experts in the areas working in
Government Dyot and undertakings or others have thought it fit to associate themselves
actively with NGOs. The reason for this is the poor financial conditions of these
organizations and shyness away the Government officials where everything has to be
done on voluntary basis.
8.6.6 Decentralization and Fiscal Innovation
It has been seen that Municipalities are completely dependent on the state
government to take any major decision and cannot incur any major financial expenditure
as neither do they have the powers nor the financial resources for the purpose.
State Government concern themselves with project planning and project
implementation and as soon as implementation is concluded, they are anxious to hand
over the projects to the concerned ULBs for operation, maintenance and some times
also department servicing. There have been instances where such project planning has
missed the specific needs and priorities of the area.
Secondly, resource mobilization capacity and willing ness of the ULBs in this
respect for the project especially for operation and maintenance, the debt, service
commitments are overlooked.
 Thirdly, the ULBs mostly resist taking over ownership of the projects
implemented by the development authorities on the ground of their non- involvement
during the planning and implementation process.
The West Bengal Finance Commission was set – up to determine principles governing:
a) The distribution between the state and the municipalities of the net proceeds of the
taxes, duties, tolls and livable by the states, which may be divided between them
and the allocation to the municipalities of their respective states.
b) The determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned to or
appropriated by the municipalities
c) The grants – in- aid to the municipalities from the Consolidated funds of the states

8.6.7 Participation of Private Sector

The most crucial area where the private sector would have an important role is
the development of the physical infrastructure including shelter. Considering the
resource situation there is possibly no other option but to hand over some specific
projects to the private sector.
Table -8.3 Benefits and disadvantages of private sectors

Benefits Disadvantages

Improvement in quality of services Outlook motivated by profit motive

Meet growing consumer expectation Beneficiaries may have to pay ration

charges

Improve efficiency of service provision May not help the poorest segments of
(leakage reduction, energy savings, society directly
collections)

Efficient in operation and maintenance To complete the project in time

Introduction and the culture to Ultimately may develop the particular

complete the project in time infrastructure which could have been
delayed for years together due to lack
of financial
Source: Vision 2025

8.7 Building Bye laws

Bye laws are different for different municipalities and are being discussed in detail as
under.
8.7.1 Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Table 8.4 Ground coverage of Buildings

Max. % Ground Coverage

S. Occupancy or user
no Group Plot size upto 200 sq Plot size 500 sq mt. and
mt. above

1. Residential 60% 50%

2. Educational 60% 50%

3. Institutional 40% 40%

4. Assembly 40% 40%

5. Mercantile (Retail) 40% 40%

6. Mercantile (Wholesale) 40% 40%

7. Industrial 40% 40%

8. Storage 40% 40%

9. Hazardous 40% 40%

10. Business 40% 40%

Source: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 1990

Table 8.5 Floor area ratios

Width of Use group of buildings

S. means of Industrial, Assembly, Institutional,
No access Residential Educational Storage & Business, Mercantile
(meters) Hazardous (including mixed use)

1. Below 3.00 Nil Nil Nil Nil

2. 3.00 1.25 Nil Nil Nil

3. 5.00 1.50 Nil Nil Nil

4. 7.00 1.75 1.75 Nil Nil

5. 10.00 2.00 2.00 1.75 1.75

6. 15.00 2.50 2.50 1.75 2.25

7. 20.00 2.50 2.50 1.75 2.25

8. 24.00 2.75 2.75 1.75 2.50

9. Above
2.75 2.75 1.75 2.50
24.00

Table 8.6 Permissible height of buildings

Width of means
S. no of access (in Permissible Height
meters)

1. 3.00 to 3.50 7.00

Above 3.50 to
2. 9.50
5.00

Above 5.00 to
3. 11.50
7.00

Above 7.00 to
4. 14.50
10.00

Above 10.00 to
5. 18.00
15.00

Table 8.7 Provisions for more than one building in a plot

Max. length of Internal road

S. Width of internal For internal
no roads For internal roads open to street at both
roads closed
ends
at one end

3.50 meters but not

1. 25 meters 75 meters
more than 7 meters

More than 7 meters

2. but not more than 10 50 meters 150 meters
meters

3. More than 10 meters No No restriction

 restriction
Source: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 1990

Provisions for buildings constructed under Government approved schemes

• Size of a plot for a building – The minimum size of plot shall not be less than 30
sq mt and the maximum size of the plot shall not be less than 65 sq mt.
• Means of Access – it should not be less than 1.2 meters and where ever building
height exceeding 8.0 meter it should not be less than 3.0 meters.
• Ground Coverage – 75 % of the area of the plot
• Maximum Height – Shall not be more than 10 meters
• FAR – 1.75
• Parking Space – Not necessary
• Front Open Space – 9.8 meter
• Rear Open Space – 1.0 meter

Fig No. 8.3 Showing Development by KMC Bye Laws

Plot Size – 200 sq.mt.
F.A.R. – 2.00
Ground Coverage – 60%
No. of Floors – 3.3
8.7.2 Howrah Municipal Corporation
Table 8.8 Ground coverage of buildings

S. no Type of Building Maximum permissible ground coverage

1. Residential and educational

(a) Plot size up to 200 sq. meters 65%

(b) Plot size of above 500 sq. meters 50%

2. Other uses including mixed use 40%

Table 8.9 Permissible height of buildings

Width of means of access

S.no Maximum Permissible Height (in meters)
(in meters)

1. 2.40 to 3.50 8.00

2. Above 3.50 to 7.00 11.00

3. Above 7.00 to 10.00 14.50

4. Above 10.00 to 15.00 18.00

5. Above 15.00 to 20.00 24.00

6. Above 20.00 to 24.00 36.00

1.5 X (width of the means of access + required

7. Above 24.00
width of front open space)
Table 8.10 Maximum Permissible Floor Area Ratios

Residential building
Width of Means of Access (in meters)
Commercial zone, if any Other zone

3.50 meters but not more than 7 meters 2.25 2.50

More than 7 meters but not more than 10 meters 2.50 2.75

More than 10 meters 2.75 3.00

Source: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 1990

Table 8.11 Open areas with respect to Height of the building

Height of Front open Open space on Open space on Rear open

building (in space (in side 1 (in side 2 space (in
meter) meter) meter) (in meter) meter)

Up to 8.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 2.0

Above 8.0 up to
1.2 1.2 1.2 3.0
11.0

Above 11.0 up
1.5 1.5 2.5 4.0
to 14.5

Above 14.5 up
3.5 3.5 3.5 5.0
to 18.0

Above 18.0 up
5.0 5.0 5.0 7.0
to 24.0

Above 24.0 up
6.0 6.5 6.5 9.0
to 36.0

Above 36.0 up
8.0 8.0 8.0 10.0
to 60.0

15% of the
Above 60.0 up 15% of the height of
10.0 height of the 12.0
to 80.0 the building
building

15% of the
15% of the height of
Above 80.0 12.0 height of the 14.0
the building
building
Source: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 1990
Provisions for buildings constructed under Government approved Schemes
a) Size of a plot for a building – The minimum size of plot shall not be less than 30
sq mt and the maximum size of the plot shall not be less than 65 sq mt.
b) Means of Access – it should not be less than 1.2 meters and where ever building
height exceeding 8.0 meter it should not be less than 3.0 meters.
c) Ground Coverage – 75 % of the area of the plot
d) Maximum Height – Shall not be more than 10 meters
e) Front Open Space – 9.8 meter

Fig No. 8.4 Development by HMC Bye Laws

Plot Size – 200 sq.mt.

F.A.R. – 2.50
Ground Coverage – 65%
No. of Floors – 3.8
8.7.3 Bidhannagar Municipal Area – Salt Lake Township
Table 8.12 Ground Coverage

S. Maximum permissible
Category of Plot
no covered area

1. 2, 3 and 4 Kottahs 55% of the site area

2. 6 & 7 Kottahs 50% of the site area

3. 8, 9 and 10 Kottahs 45% of the site area

4. Buiding specified in sub- rule (2) of rule 93 60% of the site area

5. IT, ITES & other permissible Industrial &

40% of the site area
Commercial Sector Buildings

Table 8.13 Maximum number of flat per storey Table 8.14 Maximum number of floor

Area of Maximum no. of Flats per

Plot storey

2K (130
One flat per Storey
sq m)

3K One flat per Storey

4K One flat per Storey

5K Two flat per Storey

6K Two flat per Storey

7K Two flat per Storey

8K Two flat per Storey

9K Two flat per Storey

10K Three flat per Storey

 Maximum no. of Floors
Area of Plot
allowed

2K G plus 1

Source: The West Bengal Municipal Building Rules, 3K G plus 1

2007
4K G plus 2

5K G plus 2

Table 8.15 Floor Area Ratio 6K G plus 3

7K G plus 3

8K G plus 4

9K G plus 4

10K G plus 7

Area of Plot Floor area ratio

2K 1.25

3K 1.25

4K 1.75

5K 1.75

6K 2.10

7K 2.10

8K 2.25

9K 2.25

10K 3.20

Permissible for institutional,

industrial and commercial 2.75
Buildings

Table 8.16 Obligatory open spaces for various categories of residential buildings

Category Front (fixed) Narrower side Wide side (Min.) Back (Min.)
of plot (in meter) (min.) (in meter) (in meter) (in meter)
 2k 1.00 0.90 2.50 2.00

3k 1.00 0.90 2.50 2.00

4k 1.00 0.90 2.50 4.00

5k 1.50 0.90 2.50 4.00

6k 2.00 1.00 3.00 6.00

7k 2.00 1.00 3.00 7.00

8k 2.00 1.20 3.00 7.00

9k 2.00 1.20 3.50 7.00

10 k 2.00 1.20 3.50 7.00

Source: The West Bengal Municipal Building Rules, 2007

Fig. No. 8.5 Showing Development by BMC Bye Laws

Plot Size – 200 sq.mt.

F.A.R. – 1.25
Ground Coverage – 55%
No. of Floors – 2.27
Inferences:

 Maximum permissible ground coverage for Collate and Howrah are almost the
same whereas in Salt Lake it has been considerably reduced.

 F.A.R. depends on width of access roads in K.M.C. and Howrah, where as it

depends on plot size in Salt Lake and Rajarhat.

 Special category of IT sector has been introduced in Salt Lake, which is absent in
K.M.C. and Howrah Municipal Bye Laws.

 Building height is fixed on the basis of the road.

 As the plot size increases open spaces around the building also increases in
Howrah and Rajarhat.

 Increase in plot size also implies a taller building.

 Setbacks are fixed on the basis of building height.

 Chapter 9
Land Use

9.1 Introduction- Kolkata Municipal Corporation

The areas under residential land use are eventually increasing from 34.57% in 1981
till 55% in 2005. The commercial areas have increased from 4.16% to 7.22%. These
commercial areas include the core areas which are traditional in nature i.e. Shyam Bazaar,
Shobha Bazaar, Barra Bazaar etc. and are at regional level.
The transportation area (matched with population density) in the city is only 6%,
compared to 23% in Delhi and 17% in Mumbai, creating major traffic problems. The open
areas have been reducing becaue of urbanisation and tehreby the concrete jungles are
taking their place. The water bodies‘ areas are kept intact and this majorly includes the
Hooghly River.
Fig 9.1 Land Use
Source: Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata

Table 9.1 Distribution Pattern of Land Use

Land Use 1981(%) 1991(%) 2005(%)

Residential 34.57 45.92 55.46

Commercial 4.16 5.96 7.22

Industrial 4.60 7.98 9.91

Institutional 5.83 6.46 7.27

Transportation 6.19 5.65 6.50

Open Areas 37.56 28.03 13.64

Total 100 100 100

Source: Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata

9.2 Introduction- Bidhannagar Municipality

Bidhannagar was basically conceived in the form of five Sectors-I, II, III, IV & V.
Later, an added area of 20.98 sq km has been added to it in 1995. This area is
remarkable for its vast wet land resource with pockets of habitable land within. In
2006, Sector V, which is the Industrial Sector is separated from Bidhannagar to
form a new Municipal area ‘Naba-Diganta’.
The Sectors are further sub-divided in Blocks which are 73 in numbers (Sector-I,
II & III) Sector IV includes slum of Sukantangar (Ward no.22) & Nalban Bherry. However
large vacant areas are found in all the blocks. There are fifteen markets in the planned
area of the Municipality- seven in Sector-1, three in Sector-2 and five in Sector-3
Besides these; there are two other commercial centers, one at Sector-1 (City Centre) &
the other at Sector-3 (Charnock City).
 Fig 9.2 Land Use-Salt Lake

Table 9.2 Distribution Pattern of Land Use in Salt Lake

Land use %age

 Residential 50

Commercial 4.6

Institutional 7.1

Transportation 23

Open Areas 12.10

Special uses 3.2

Total 100
Source: Bidhanagar Municipality, Salt Lake, Kolkata