Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Howrah Awaits Civic Polls After Years Without Councillors
Howrah has not had elected city councillors for many years.
Its municipal board finished its term in 2018, and appointed administrators have run the corporation since then.
Residents say garbage collection is irregular and roads are full of potholes.
Rain often floods streets with dirty water and sewage.
Some neighbourhoods also report unreliable or contaminated water supplies.
Buildings are being constructed very close together, creating safety and drainage problems.
Roadwork on Kona Expressway causes long traffic jams.
A new bill would increase Howrah’s wards from 50 to 68.
This may help the city hold municipal elections and elect councillors again.
Howrah has been without elected municipal representatives since its 2018 civic board term ended.
The West Bengal Assembly passed a 2026 amendment bill increasing Howrah’s wards from 50 to 68.
Residents report persistent problems with garbage collection, pothole-filled roads and severe monsoon waterlogging.
Unplanned construction, unreliable water supplies and traffic congestion on Kona Expressway add to the city’s civic difficulties.
The proposed ward expansion could pave the way for Howrah’s first municipal election since 2013.
- Who
- Residents of Howrah, the Howrah Municipal Corporation and the West Bengal government are central to the report.
- What
- The West Bengal Assembly passed a bill to increase Howrah’s municipal wards from 50 to 68, potentially enabling new civic elections after years without elected councillors.
- When
- Howrah last held municipal elections in 2013; its elected board completed its term in 2018, and the amendment bill was passed in 2026.
- Where
- Howrah city in West Bengal, including areas such as Shibpur, Ramrajatala, Salkia, Bamangachi and Howrah Station.
- Why
- The bill proposes to reshape Howrah’s municipal representation ahead of anticipated civic polls, while residents seek elected representatives to address longstanding infrastructure and sanitation problems.
- Last municipal election
- 2013
- End of elected board’s term
- 2018
- Current ward proposal
- Increase from 50 to 68 wards
- Legislative action
- Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed during a special Assembly session
- Waste collection complaints
- Residents in several neighbourhoods report collection as infrequent as once every three days
- Reported flooding areas
- Shibpur, Ramrajatala, Salkia, Bamangachi and parts of the Howrah Station subway
- Major traffic concern
- Ongoing elevated-corridor and roadwork restrictions on Kona Expressway