Jaigaon Likely to Get Municipal Status; Bill Expected in Budget Session

MP, June 16, 2026, Alipurduar: The West Bengal government is poised to grant municipal status to Jaigaon, the strategically important border town in Alipurduar district, alongside Bagnan in Howrah district.

The long-awaited move is expected to be formalised through a bill likely to be introduced and passed during the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly.

Located along the India-Bhutan border, Jaigaon serves as a major commercial gateway to Bhutan and has witnessed rapid urban expansion over the years.

Residents and traders believe that municipal status will lead to better civic administration, improved infrastructure, enhanced sanitation services and planned urban development.

Speaking on the issue, Minister of State and Kalchini MLA Bishal Lama said: “We had promised to upgrade Jaigaon into a municipality and I have already submitted the proposal to the government. I am hopeful that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will announce the formation of Jaigaon Municipality during the ongoing Budget Session. Once the announcement is made, more details will be shared.”

According to administrative sources, the proposed municipality is likely to be formed by merging Jaigaon-I and Jaigaon-II Gram Panchayats along with parts of Dalsingpara Gram Panchayat.

The new civic body is expected to have a voter base of nearly 50,000.

The proposal has received support across political lines, with opposition parties also welcoming the initiative.

Political observers believe the move could significantly strengthen urban governance and help address long-standing civic issues in the growing border town.

Welcoming the development, Rakesh Pandey, General Secretary of the Kalchini Chamber of Commerce Organisation, said the demand had remained unfulfilled despite assurances made in 2016.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the government’s initiative. Municipal status will bring major improvements in roads, drainage, waste management and overall civic infrastructure. As the gateway to Bhutan, Jaigaon deserves planned urban growth,” he said.

Local resident Durga Lama echoed similar sentiments, stating that previous initiatives, such as the Jaigaon Development Authority, had failed to bring substantial improvements.

“We are hopeful that municipal status will ensure better civic amenities, planned development and improved public services for residents,” he said.