Kolkata Civic Boundaries Set for a Major Revamp: New Ward Map Draft Likely to Be Released on July 31

Kolkata Municipal Corporation election update

IIE DIGITAL: Kolkata Municipal Corporation is heading towards a major structural transformation as the draft proposal for ward delimitation is expected to be released on July 31. The move comes ahead of the upcoming civic elections, which will be the first major electoral exercise in the city after the recent political transition in West Bengal.

The political shift in the state earlier this year also brought changes within the Kolkata civic administration. After the change of government, Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim stepped down from the post of Kolkata’s mayor. To ensure smooth functioning of the civic body, Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey was given additional responsibilities as the administrator.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier announced that an elected board would take charge of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation by December 7 this year. He had also made it clear that the ward delimitation process would be completed before the election schedule begins.

Following the announcement, the civic authorities accelerated the process of redrawing ward boundaries. The responsibility was handed over to the municipal survey department, which formed separate committees at the borough level to study population patterns, administrative requirements and geographical changes.

According to civic sources, the preliminary delimitation report is likely to be submitted to Administrator Smita Pandey before being forwarded to the state Urban Development Department for final review. The proposed draft reportedly suggests significant changes in the existing ward structure.

At present, Kolkata has 144 municipal wards. Under the new proposal, the existing wards numbered 1 to 100 may be reorganised into 130 new wards. Major changes have also been suggested for the added areas of the city. The existing wards from 101 to 144, which were later included within Kolkata’s municipal limits, may be divided further, with a proposal to create around 70 new wards.

Once the draft list is officially published, residents and political parties will get an opportunity to submit their suggestions and objections. Based on the feedback received, necessary amendments will be made before the final delimitation list is announced.

With municipal elections approaching, the new ward structure is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Kolkata’s political landscape. All eyes are now on the upcoming draft publication, which could redefine the city’s civic boundaries and electoral calculations.