Siliguri: Difference between revisions

{{short description|City in West Bengal, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

| name                           = Siliguri

| other_name                     =  

| settlement_type                 = [[Metropolitan city]]

| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage

| photo1a = Siliguri view.jpg

| photo2a = Siliguri view 3.jpg

| photo3a = Siliguri view 16.jpg

| photo4a = Siliguri view 5.jpg

| photo4b = Siliguri view 11.jpg

| photo5a = Cityscape 6.jpg

| size = 250

| spacing = 1

| border = 0

| color = White

| position = centre

| foot_montage = Top to bottom: <br />Siliguri with Himalayas in background, Siliguri skyline, Ewam India Monastery, Lions clock tower (left), Science centre Siliguri (right)}} Night view of Siliguri from [[Kurseong]] hill

| image_alt                       =  

| image_caption                   =

| pushpin_map                    = India West Bengal#India3

| pushpin_label_position          =

| pushpin_map_alt                =  

| pushpin_map_caption            = Location in West Bengal##Location in India

| coordinates                    = {{coord|26.71|N|88.43|E|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type               = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]

| subdivision_name               = {{flag|India}}

| subdivision_type1               = [[States and territories of India|State]]

| subdivision_type2               = [[List of districts of India|District]]

| subdivision_type3               = No. of [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|Wards]]

| subdivision_name1               = {{flagicon image|..West Bengal Flag(INDIA).png}} [[West Bengal]]

| subdivision_name2              = [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling (62%)]], [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri (38%)]]

| subdivision_name3               = 47<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801638-siliguri-west-bengal.html|title=Siliguri-no. of wards|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>

| established_title               =  

| established_date               = 1994

| nickname                       = The Gateway of Northeast India<ref name="Gateway">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri-The gateway of Northeast India|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>

| government_type                 = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]

| governing_body                 = {{bulleted list|[[Siliguri Municipal Corporation]]|Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority}}

| leader_title                   = [[Siliguri Municipal Corporation|Mayor]]

| leader_name                     = [[Ashok Bhattacharya]] [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|(CPI(M))]]

| unit_pref                      = Metric

| area_footnotes                  = <ref name='Siliguri City'>{{cite web|title=Siliguri City|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/location|website=sjda.org|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="WBDMA">{{cite web|url=https://www.sudawb.org/wbdma_oldversion/HTM/DIS/MUNI_COR_Siliguri.htm|title=West Bengal Govt. Department of Municipal Affairs|website=Wbdma.gov.in}}</ref>

| area_urban_km2                 = 117.54

| area_urban_footnotes           = <ref name='Siliguri City'/>

| area_rank                       = [[List of metropolitan area in West Bengal|3rd]] in [[West Bengal]]

| area_metro_footnotes           = <ref name='SJDA'>{{cite web|title=SJDA|url=https://www.sjda.org/SJDA/Pages/about_profile|website=sjda.org|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref>

| area_metro_km2                 = 2222.59

| elevation_footnotes             =  

| elevation_min_m                 = 114

| population_total               = 470,275

| population_footnotes            = <ref name="WBDMA"/><ref name="censusindia">{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf |title=District Census Handbook Darjiling |work=District Primary Census Abstract, Census of India 2011 |publisher=censusindia.gov |access-date=6 October 2020 }}</ref>

| population_urban_footnotes      = <ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |publisher=censusindia.gov |access-date=21 October 2011 }}</ref>

| population_density_km2          = auto

| population_rank                = [[List of metropolitan area in West Bengal|3rd]] in [[West Bengal]]

| population_metro                = 2370000

| population_metro_footnotes      = <ref name='SJDA'/>

| population_demonym              =  

| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]

| utc_offset1                    = +5:30

| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]

| postal_code                    = 734 001-734 015 (city limits), 734 401-734 436(suburbs), 735 133-735 135

| area_code                       = 0353, 0354

| area_code_type                 = Telephone code

| registration_plate             = WB 73/74

| blank1_name_sec1               = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency

| blank1_info_sec1               = [[Darjeeling (Lok Sabha constituency)|Darjeeling]], [[Jalpaiguri (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jalpaiguri]]

| website                         = {{URL|www.siligurismc.in}}, {{URL|www.siliguri.gov.in}}

| footnotes                       = ¹The coordinates given here are in metric system and based upon the [[Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Map Center]] 2005

² The Vehicle Code given here is based upon the [[Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court]], [[Darjeeling District Court]] and [[Jalpaiguri District Court]] documentations.

| leader_title2                  = Sub Divisional Officer

| leader_name2                    = P Harishanker

| demographics1_title1           = Official

| demographics1_info1             = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref name="wblangoff">{{cite web|title=Fact and Figures|url=https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/facts-and-figures;jsessionid=JzdD9RHb7aMY5esZPtcsIVLy|website=Wb.gov.in|access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=Nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=10 March 2019|page=85|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

| demographics1_title2           = Additional&nbsp;official

| demographics1_info2             = [[English language|English]]<ref name="wblangoff"/>

| blank2_name_sec1               = Literacy

| blank2_info_sec1               = 85.46%<ref name=Cities1Lakhandabove/>

| blank3_name_sec1               = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]

| blank3_info_sec1               = 1000[[male|♂]]/951[[female|♀]]<ref name=Cities1Lakhandabove>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title = Cities having population 1 lakh and above-sex ratio |work=Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date=3 May 2019}}</ref>

| blank4_name_sec1               = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency

| blank4_info_sec1               = [[Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Siliguri]], [[Dabgram-Phulbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dabgram-Phulbari]], [[Matigara-Naxalbari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Matigara-Naxalbari]], [[Phansidewa]]

| blank1_name_sec2               = Police

| blank1_info_sec2               = [[Siliguri Police Commissionerate]]

'''Siliguri''' ({{IPA-bn|ˈʃiliguɽi|lang|siliguri.ogg}}) is a city which spans areas of the [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] and [[Jalpaiguri district]]s in the Indian [[states and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]]. Known as The ''Gateway of Northeast India'',<ref name="Gateway"/> Siliguri is popular for three Ts - tea, timber and tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|title=Siliguri- the gateway to the northeast India|website=www.siligurismc.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> It is located on the banks of the [[Mahananda River]] at the foothills of the [[Himalayas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|title=Siliguri-about location|website=www.wbtourismgov.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> Siliguri is the [[List of metropolitan area in West Bengal|third]] largest [[urban agglomeration]] in West Bengal, after [[Kolkata]] and [[Asansol]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date = 30 April 2019 }}</ref> It lies  35 kilometres west of its [[twin cities|twin city]], [[Jalpaiguri]]. The merging of the two cities make them the largest metropolis of the [[North Bengal|region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri-description|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

Siliguri has great strategic importance in [[West Bengal]]. It is located conveniently, connecting four international borders i.e. [[China]], [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Bhutan]]. It also connects the North-East with the Indian mainland and is connected with all other districts of West Bengal. Located at the foothills of [[Eastern Himalaya]], Siliguri is a trading and transportation hub. Over time, Siliguri has grown from a village into a commercial hub.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Siliguri-SMC|url=http://www.siligurismc.in/history-of-siliguri.php|access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref>

According to Sailen Debnath, "Siliguri" means a stack of pebbles or stones. Until the 19th century this region was called as "Shilchaguri" when there was dense Dolka forest covering the area. Because of its appeal as an agricultural village, the [[Kingdom of Sikkim]] captured Siliguri making it the southernmost part of their kingdom until the [[Kingdom of Nepal]] interfered. Because of it [[Kirati people|Kirati]] and [[Nepalis]] came to settle in this region.<ref name="History of Siliguri">{{cite web|url=http://asiscwb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Siliguri-Handbook-1.pdf|website=asiscwb.org|title=Middle age history of Siliguri|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

At that time a river ([[Mahananda River|Mahananda]]) port, South of Siliguri in [[Phansidewa]] had an important role in having trade bond with [[Malda City|Malda]], [[Bengal]] and [[Bihar]]. This riverine trade line was thus used by the [[Bhutan]]ese and [[Sikkimese people|Sikkimese]] to bring goods into their mainland.

Siliguri started as a small area i.e. now Saktigarh, southern part of city, on the bank of [[Mahananda River]]. [[Treaty of Sugauli]] in 1815 signed between Britain-Nepal, changed the prospect of Siliguri. As it became a point of transit with [[Darjeeling]] hills and [[Nepal]] mainland. 1815 onwards, Siliguri started growing rapidly as a small city due to its strategic convenience of trade. In 1865, the British captured Darjeeling and the entire [[Dooars]] region to build tea plantations and export the produce to England. For easy exportation they introduced the [[Siliguri Town railway station]] which stands to this day, and introduced the [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway|Toy train]] from the station to Darjeeling in 1880. This helped Siliguri gain sub-divisional town status in 1907.<ref name="Historical profile of Siliguri">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvGAG4dYG7qzx6amp2EQYoeahm8EnuSK/view?usp=drivesdk.pdf|title=Modern history of Siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>

Due to tremendous growth, Siliguri is now far away from its past outlook, becoming the largest and fastest growing city in eastern India after [[Guwahati]]. The growth rate of Siliguri was 57.8% during 1971- 1981, considering this growth, Siliguri came under Integrated Urban Development Project program in 1981. Siliguri touched 46.83% of population growth rate in 1981–1991. A treaty between India and China for trade through [[Nathu La|Nathu La Pass]], has expedited development and prospects of Siliguri as an international transportation and logistics hub. Later in 1994 Siliguri built a Municipal corporation which has been responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Siliguri. Siliguri has now achieved the status of becoming the [[List of metropolitan area in West Bengal|2nd]] largest metropolitan city in [[West Bengal]], after [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliguri.gov.in/|title=Siliguri in recent days|website=www.siliguri.gov.in|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>

 

Siliguri located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas at a location of {{coord|26.71|N|88.43|E|}}. This city is spread over an area of 260&nbsp;km² within the [[Siliguri Corridor]], also known as the ''Chicken's neck''. The city is surrounded by dense forests towards north and lifeline of Siliguri, [[Mahananda River]] flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two-halves. Also [[Teesta river]] is not so far from the city. Siliguri has an average elevation of 122 metres (400 feet).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en-in.topographic-map.com/places/Siliguri-9244903/|title=Topographic map of Siliguri|website=www.topographic-map.com|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> As Siliguri is located in the [[Terai]] region, the soil is [[sand]]y in nature i.e. the ratio of sand and silt is much higher than clay. This region is very prone to earthquake as there are several fault lines nearby.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/5-0-magnitude-earthquake-jolts-sikkim-and-parts-of-darjeeling-642797.html|title=Earthquake jolts Sikkim and part of Darjeeling|website=www.news18.com|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Magnitude 6.9 – SIKKIM, INDIA |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921163147/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0005wg6.php |archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/earthquake-in-nepal-and-northern-india-2015-quake-kills-two-injures-20-in-bengal-364193/|title=7.9 magnitude earthquake effected Siliguri heavily|website=www.india.com|access-date=21 May 2019|date=25 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nepal-earthquake-india-cities-high-risk-zone-250460-2015-04-27|title=38 cities in India fall in high risk earthquake zones|website=www.indiatoday.in|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref>

 

Siliguri falls under the [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cwa''), when using the [[Köppen climate classification]].  Warm summer, cool winter and a severe monsoon defines Siliguri's climate.

The average annual temperature in Siliguri is 23.7&nbsp;°C. In summer, the temperature varies from a minimum of 18-22&nbsp;°C to a maximum of 26-32&nbsp;°C.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?WMO=42398&CONT=inin&LAND=IWB&ART=MAX&LEVEL=150|title=Climate of Siliguri|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The temperature of the hottest month, August is 28.5&nbsp;°C. The temperature in summer sometimes exceeds 35&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/siliguri-burning-in-scorching-heat-1.1028383|title=Siliguri burning in schorching heat|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/june-celsius-scorches-siliguri-hope-for-rain-in-48-hours-as-town-swelters-at-37c/cid/178909|title=Siliguri crossed 36 yesterday|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/state/siliguri-facing-trouble-in-scorching-heat-damaging-tea-leaves-in-doors-1.184013|title=গরমে নাকাল শিলিগুড়ি|access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/heatwave-likely-to-trouble-people-of-siliguri-for-few-more-days/|title=Heatwave likely to trouble people of Siliguri for few more days|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref> On the other hand, the winter maximum temperature hovers around 20-24&nbsp;°C, and the minimum drops 6-9&nbsp;°C.<ref name="auto"/> January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.1&nbsp;°C. The minimum temperature in winter season sometimes drops 5&nbsp;°C or below.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.anandabazar.com/archive/1130111/11uttar5.html|title=শীতে কাঁপছে উত্তরবঙ্গ, শিলিগুড়িতে পারদ নামল ৩ ডিগ্রিতে|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/jalpaiguri-shivers-in-30-year-low-relief-from-cold-not-today-says-met-office/cid/348947|title=Siliguri Jalpaiguri shivers from cold|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aajkaal.in/news/northbengal/siliguri-zszx|title=৪.৪ ডিগ্রি! শিলিগুড়ির চাই রুম হিটার|access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/photos/west-bengal/west-bengal-weather-updates-kolkata-winter-temperature-today-175603/|title=রেকর্ড পতন পারদের, কোথায় তাপমাত্রা কত?|access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref> The highest temperature ever recorded in Siliguri is 41.7&nbsp;°C, was recorded on 15 April 1952, while the lowest was recorded on 8 January 2018, when the mercury plummeted to 1.9&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/district/north-bengal/cold-wave-in-ub-1.738273|title=রেকর্ড শীত সমতলে, শিলিগুড়ির পারদ নামল ১.৯ ডিগ্রিতে  |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city|title=Siliguri min. temperature January 2018|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

On an average, Siliguri gets 3340&nbsp;mm per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.in/weather/maps/city?LANG=in&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=42398&PAG=1&CONT=inin&LEVEL=160&REGION=0024&LAND=II&INFO=0&R=0&NOREGION=1|title=Rainfall in Siliguri|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> Winters are mostly dry, with the summers being rainy. About 80% of the annual rainfall is felt between June to September, this period is known as monsoons or rainy season in the season cycle. Heavy showers are often felt in May,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkata24x7.com/heavy-rain-occurred-at-many-places-of-northbengal/|title=প্রবল বৃষ্টিতে ভাসছে উত্তরবঙ্গ, কার্যত বৃষ্টিহীন দক্ষিণ|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> June,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skymetweather.com/content/weather-news-and-analysis/good-monsoon-rains-in-siliguri-and-jalpaiguri-kolkata-to-see-rains-around-june-30/|title=Good Monsoon rains in Siliguri and Jalpaiguri|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> July,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/Heavy-rainfall-floods-N-Bengal/amp_articleshow/53372097.cms|title=Heavy rain floods in North Bengal|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> August and September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/state/raining-in-north-bengal-south-bengal-want-rain-1.157982|title=ভাসছে উত্তর, বৃষ্টির প্রতীক্ষায় দক্ষিণবঙ্গ|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> July is the wettest month (804&nbsp;mm) and January is the driest month (12&nbsp;mm). The average rainy days in July is 27 and for December and January it is 1. The humidity in air is high throughout the year.

{{IndiaCensusPop

|footnote= Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21405/siliguri/population|title=Siliguri, India Metro Area Population 1950-2020}}</ref>}}

Based on Census data of 2011,  the population of Siliguri UA/Metropolitan is 701,489, while the population in the Municipal area is 2,94,546.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=District Census Handbook Darjiling|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1901_PART_B_DCHB_DARJILING.pdf|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Census India}}</ref> Males constitute 51.44% of the population and females 48.55%. Population shares of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category persons in Siliguri municipal area are 8.84% and 1.25% respectively. The literacy rate in Siliguri is 77.64%.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="censusindia1" /> There are 154 notified and 31 non-notified slums in Siliguri, with 32% of Siliguri's population staying in them.<ref name=":1" />

|caption = Linguistic groups of Siliguri in West Bengal (2011)<ref name="Lang2011">{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Town level |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref>

|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] ([[Official]])

|value1 = 61.8

|color1 = Red

|label2 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]

|value2 = 25.2

|color2 = Orange

|label3 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]]

|value3 = 4.7

|color3 = pink

|label4 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]  

|value4 = 2.4

|color4 = Yellow

|label5 = [[Urdu]]  

|value5 = 1.2

|color5 = Green

|label6 = Other

|value6 = 4.7

|color6 = Grey

Bengali is the official language in [[Siliguri subdivision]], including Siliguri city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Bengal Official Language Act, 1961|url=http://www.wbja.nic.in/wbja_adm/files/The%20Bengal%20Official%20Language%20Act,%201961_1.pdf|access-date=7 October 2020|website=West Bengal Judicial Academy}}</ref> According to 2011 census, [[Bengali language|Bengali]] is the most commonly spoken language, followed by [[Hindi]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] and [[Urdu]].<ref name="Lang2011"/>

[[Bengalis]] form the majority linguistic group in the city, followed by [[Biharis]], [[Marwaris]], [[Punjabis]], [[Nepalis]], [[Odias]], and [[Adivasi|Tribals]]. According to a 2001 thesis, Bengali speakers had a percentage of 64.25% out of the total population. Of the 30 wards in 2001, their population varied between 11.71% to 98.96%.<ref>{{cite journal |title=SILIGURI : AN URBAN STUDY IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS |date=2001 |url=http://ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1141/17/164040.pdf |access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref>

|title=Religion in Siliguri<ref name="Religion"/>

{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|#FF6600|91.98}}

{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|#009000|5.37}}

{{bar percent|[[Buddhist]]|#FFFF00|0.65}}

Siliguri saw rapid urbanisation under the British rule and that was reflected in its local governance as well. The earliest form of local urban governance as a Sanitation Committee set up in 1915.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Chinmayakar|title=People Governance and development a study of Siliguri Municipal corporation area|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/137085|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Shodhganga}}</ref>  Its function was to dispose off night soil. Till 1921, most aspects of local governance in Darjeeling district, including Siliguri, was looked after by the Darjeeling Improvement Fund. In 1922,  Siliguri Local Board with nominated members was created under the Bengal Local Self Government Act, 1885. In 1938, the Union Board was set up in Siliguri under the Bengal Village Self-Government Act, 1919 and it provided public utilities in the city.

The [[Municipal Council (India)|Municipal Council]] was set up in 1949 under the Bengal Municipal Act of 1932 with 8 wards.<ref name=":0" /> The first chairperson of the municipality was the Sub Divisional Officer and the local councilors, called 'commissioners' in the then municipal act in effect, were nominated by the state government. After the amendment of the act in 1956, 3/4 of the local representatives were elected, while the remaining nominated by the Deputy Commissioner. Thus, the first elected chairperson of Siliguri was Jagdish Chandra Bhattacharya.

In 1994, the municipal council was upgraded to the [[Siliguri Municipal Corporation]] with 47 wards.<ref name=":0" /> It had five departments then: General Administration, Collection, License, Public Works and Sanitation and Public Health. The corporation now has 23 departments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Departments|url=http://siligurismc.in/departments.php|access-date=30 September 2020|website=siligurismc.in}}</ref> It has 47 wards, of which 14 wards are in [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]] district, while the remaining 33 wards are in [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Siliguri Municipal Corporation :: About Us|url=http://siligurismc.in/about-us.php|access-date=30 September 2020|website=siligurismc.in}}</ref> The last municipal elections was in 2015, when [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] won 23 seats, [[All India Trinamool Congress]] won 17 seats, [[Indian National Congress]] won 5 seats, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] won 2 seats, while an independent candidate won 1 seat.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Iqbal|first=Aadil Ikram Zaki|date=28 April 2015|title=West Bengal municipal corporation result 2015: Trinamool Congress wins 70 municipalities including KMC, BJP fails|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/west-bengal-municipal-corporation-result-2015-trinamool-congress-wins-70-municipalities-including-kmc-bjp-fails-367601/|access-date=30 September 2020|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en}}</ref> The mayor of Siliguri for the 5-year term of 2015-20 was [[Ashok Bhattacharya]] from CPIM, who was later elected as the local [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] as well.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Civic election results: CPM trumps TMC in Siliguri, but Mamata Banerjee retains supremacy|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/civic-election-results-cpm-trumps-tmc-in-siliguri-but-mamata-banerjee-retains-supremacy/articleshow/49267746.cms|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

The term of the last elected body of Siliguri Municipal Corporation got over on 7 May, but municipal elections could not be held because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|date=17 May 2020|title=Mamata govt. accepts CPI(M) demand, drops TMC councillors from Siliguri Municipal Corporation BOA|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-govt-accepts-cpim-demand-drops-tmc-councillors-from-siliguri-municipal-corporation-boa/article31605907.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A Board of Administrators was established with the outgoing mayor, Ashok Bhattacharya, as the Chairperson. This board will take care of the civic utilities of the city till the new municipal body is elected. This follows the establishment of similar boards first in state capital Kolkata and then the rest of the state.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 May 2020|title=After KMC, chiefs of 91 municipalities to continue as administrators|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/kmc-chiefs-91-municipalities-continue-administrators-1502888040.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref>

Siliguri is part of the [[Darjeeling (Lok Sabha constituency)|Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency]]. The last elections for the Lok Sabha took place in [[2019 Indian general election|2019]], when [[Raju Bista]] from Bharatiya Janta Party won the seat.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=DNA Web|date=23 May 2019|title=Darjeeling Lok Sabha election results 2019 Bengal: BJP's Raju Bista wins as Mamata's gambit fails|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-darjeeling-lok-sabha-election-results-2019-bengal-bjp-s-raju-bista-wins-as-mamata-s-gambit-fails-2751997|access-date=30 September 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> The last elections to the West Bengal Vidhan Sabha took place in [[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2016]]. The Member of Legislative Assembly representing [[Siliguri (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Siliguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency]] is Ashok Bhattacharya, who was the mayor of Siliguri concurrently and is presently the Chairperson of the Board of Administrator as well.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Arvind|first1=T.|last2=Ahamed|first2=A. s Nazir|date=19 May 2016|title=2016 West Bengal Assembly election results: As it happened|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/westbengal2016/live-west-bengal-assembly-election-results-2016/article8614526.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|date=16 May 2020|title=CPI(M) leader Asok Bhattacharya appointed administrator of Siliguri civic body|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/mamata-appoints-cpim-leader-asok-bhattacharya-as-administrator-of-siliguri-civic-body/article31598926.ece|access-date=30 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Siliguri and surrounding Sub-Himalayan forests are rich in fauna diversity, the plains of North Bengal (Siliguri, [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Cooch Behar]] etc.) are surrounded by deep forests. These forests are home of various rare and common species of plants. The forest here is moist [[Tropical]] and characterised by dense growth of tall Sal i.e. [[Shorea robusta]]. Sal occupies about 80% of all vegetation in these tropical forest.

These forests are categorised by their dominating plant species such as 1) East Himalayan Sal Forest present on the lower slopes of [[Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary]] contains [[Sal (tree)|Sal]], [[Khair]], [[Simul]], [[Sissoo]], Riverine grasslands and various rare species of plants like [[Orchids]] 2) East Himalayan Upper Bhabar Sal mainly present at Jalpaiguri district which is characterised by dense population of Microstegium chiliatum, [[Sal (tree)|Sal]] i.e. [[Shorea robusta]]. Others are [[Terminalia tomentosa]], [[Schima wallichii]] And the 3) Eastern Tarai Sal Forest generally found in lower altitudes compared to other two types of forest. This type of forest characterised by various species of [[bamboos]], [[ferns]], and [[Sal (tree)|Sal]] which is found in Baikunthapur Forest, near Siliguri city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westbengalforest.gov.in/|title=West Bengal Forest Department|website=Westbengalforest.gov.in|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref>

Rapid growth of city causing deforestation, making Siliguri warmer day by day and unbalancing the ecosystem.

These sub-Himalayan forests are the home of various types of wild animals like the [[elephant]], [[tiger]], [[Indian bison]], [[barking deer]], wild pig, monkey, [[civet]], snake, lizard, mountain goat, [[sambar deer|sambar]], chetal and [[fishing cat]]. These forests are also home of about 243 different bird species like the [[Great hornbill|pied hornbill]], [[egret]], kingfisher, drongo, fly catcher, woodpecker and others. Another common sight is migratory water birds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbtourism.tripod.com/flora_and_fauna_of_north_bengal.htm|title=FLORA AND FAUNA OF NORTH BENGAL|website=Nbtourism.tripod.com|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref>

=== Road ===

[[National Highway 27 (India)|NH 27]] crosses through the heart of the city<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalhighway.net/asia/national-highway-27-india-nh27/|title=National Highway 27 (India) -NH27|date=15 August 2017|website=Nationalhighway.net|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> which is now a part of [[AH2]] project. Siliguri originates the century-old Hill Cart Road that is [[National Highway 110 (India)|NH 110]] which connects Siliguri and Darjeeling<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nhai.org/Doc/project-offer/Highways.pdf |title = NH wise Details of NH in respect of Stretches entrusted to NHAI |access-date=8 June 2019|publisher =[[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI) }}</ref> (77&nbsp;km) made in British period. Siliguri also originates [[National Highway 10 (India)|NH 10]] which connects Gangtok,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2011/E_574_2012_016.pdf|title=New Numbering of National Highways notification - Government of India|website=[[The Gazette of India]]|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://morth.nic.in/showfile.asp?lid=2924|title=State-wise length of National Highways (NH) in India|website=[[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> [[National Highway 12 (India)|NH 12]] which connects Pankhabari-Mirik. The highways NH 327, that connects Siliguri — Panitanki and NH 327B connecting Panitanki - Mechi Bridg, are also part of [[AH2]].

====Bus service====

;Tenzing Norgay  Bus Terminus: [[Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus]] is the main bus terminus serves as bus depot for both Government and private bus service which operated by [[NBSTC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbstc.in/pages/depot.aspx|title=NBSTC depot|website=nbstc.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> It connects to all other districts and cities in [[West Bengal]] like [[Darjeeling]], [[Kalimpong]], [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Cooch Behar]], [[Malda City|Malda]], [[Balurghat]], [[Raiganj]], [[Berhampore]], [[Kolkata]], [[Asansol]], [[Suri, Birbhum|Suri]] etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbstc.in/index2.aspx|title=NBSTC details information|website=www.nbstc.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/urban-mission-buses-for-plains/cid/1579280|title=Urban mission buses for plains|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> Private buses connect short as well as long-distance routes including some cities of [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Assam]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Meghalaya]]. City buses, cabs, and autos are available for intra-city travel. E-rickshaws also available for covering short distance inside city.

 

; Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus: [[Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus (Siliguri)]] is located at hillcart road in siliguri. This bus terminus is operated by Sikkim govt. Mainly Sikkim based bus are operated from here. This bus terminus is one of the busy and important bus terminus in siliguri area.[[Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus(Siliguri)]], which connects [[Sikkim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sntd.in/PDF/BusSchedule.pdf|title=SNT bus schedule|website=www.sntd.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sntd.in/|title=SNT bus terminus|website=www.sntd.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

Being a transportation hub,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/darjeeling/siliguri/ps36109242.cms|title=Siliguri a transportation hub|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> Siliguri is well connected through railway with almost all parts of the country. There are seven stations that serve the city.

[[File:New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP).jpg|thumb|[[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station]]]]

 

;New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station: [[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station]] established in 1960<ref name=njp>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |title=History of New Jalpaiguri Junction|publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> (station code NJP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=N&page=2|title=New Jalpaiguri junction station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> is an A1 category<ref name="Statement showing category-wise No. of stations">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI&ACategoryStns.pdf|title=Railway station category|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station under [[Katihar railway division]] of [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone]]. It is the biggest railway station of Northeast India which serves the city Siliguri. This station is well connected to almost all parts of the country except [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|title=New Jalpaiguri junction railway station-connectivity|website=www.erail.in|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> Also this station ranked 10th cleanest railway station in India in 2016 survey<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20160318/2819608.html|title=NFR's NJP ranked 10th cleanest railway station|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> and came among the top 100 booking stations of Indian railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://erail.in/info/new-jalpaiguri-railway-station-NJP/25225|title=New Jalpaiguri junction railway station-information|website=www.erail.in|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> NJP is halting point for 154 trains and it originates 16 trains daily with 4 rajdhanis and 1 shatabdi express.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/new-jalpaiguri-junction-njp/444|title=About New Jalpaiguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref>

;Siliguri Junction: [[Siliguri Junction railway station]] (station code SGUJ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|title=Siliguri junction station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> established in 1949<ref name=SGUJ>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |author=Alastair Boobyer |title=India: the complex history of the junctions at Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri |publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> is another major broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station of Siliguri. Until 2011 it was the only triple gauge (broad gauge, meter gauge and narrow gauge) railway station in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |title=Surviving as a meter gauge line in the broad gauge era|publisher=IRFCA |access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> After 2011 meter gauge was shut down but the track is still present between Siliguri Junction railway station and Bagdogra railway station. This station is halting point for 26 local and express trains and originates 14 trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/siliguri-junction-sguj/445|title=About Siliguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref>

;Siliguri Town railway station: One of the oldest railway station (station code SGUT)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irfca.org/apps/station_codes/list?alphaname=S&page=3|title=Siliguri Town station code|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> of the region opened in 1880, 139 years ago<ref>{{cite web|url=https://1001things.org/siliguri-town-railway-station-west-bengal-india/|title=Siliguri Town railway station|access-date=6 June 2019|date=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html |author=Alastair Boobyer |title=India: the complex history of Siliguri Town railway station|publisher=IRFCA| access-date =6 June 2019}}</ref> for [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] (Toy train) which were connecting Siliguri and Darjeeling. It lost its importance due to newly made Siliguri Junction railway station and New Jalpaiguri junction. [[Siliguri Town railway station]] is also a broad gauge and narrow gauge railway station which is halting point for 8 trains only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/siliguri-town-sgut/1602|title=About Siliguri junction|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref>

;Bagdogra railway station: [[Bagdogra railway station]] (station code BORA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/baghdogra-bora-station|title=Bagdogra railway station code|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref> comes under greater Siliguri metropolitan area. It is 10&nbsp;km from Siliguri junction and 3rd largest railway station after NJP and Siliguri Junction.This stationserves Bagdogra and adjacent areas. Bagdogra railway station is on [[Katihar-Siliguri line|Siliguri-Aluabari broad gauge single line]] via Thakurganj. This station is halting point for 14 trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amp.indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/bagdogra-bora/5312|title=About Bagdogra railway station|website=www.indiarailinfo.com|access-date=6 June 2019}}</ref>

;Matigara Railway Station: [[Matigara Railway Station]] (station code MTRA)<ref name="Matigara">{{cite web |title=Matigara Railway Station (MTRA) : Station Code, Time Table, Map, Enquiry |url=https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/matigara-mtra-station |website=www.ndtv.com |access-date=12 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> is situated at Mathapari, West Bengal.<ref name="Matigara"/> Trains passing through this station include MLFC - SGUJ DEMU and SGUJ- MLFC DEMU. This station has a single platform and two tracks. one broad gauge line and one metre gauge line.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

;Rangapani railway station: [[Rangapani railway station]] (station code RNI)comes under greater Siliguri metropolitan area. It is 14&nbsp;km from Siliguri City center and serves Rangapani and adjacent areas. Rangapani railway station is on [[Howrah-New Jalpaiguri line]]. This station is halting point for 2 passenger trains.

;Gulma railway station: [[Gulma railway station]] (station code GLMA) comes under Siliguri Urban area. It is 12&nbsp;km from Siliguri City center and serves Champasari anchal, Gulma areas. Gulma railway station is on [[New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar-Samuktala Road Line]]. This station is halting point of 5 trains. Mainly passenger train are halt in this station.

[[Bagdogra Airport]] is an [[international airport]] located towards the west of Siliguri city, operated as a [[civil enclave]] at AFS Bagdogra of the [[Indian Air Force]]. This airport is a major transport hub in the region with flights connecting [[Kolkata]], [[New Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Guwahati]], [[Dibrugarh]] and has international connectivity with [[Paro, Bhutan|Paro]] and [[Bangkok]]. The airport also has regular [[helicopter]] services to [[Gangtok]]. Due to its location near [[Darjeeling]] hills and [[Sikkim]], Bagdogra airport sees thousands of tourists annually.

Central government of India confirmed [[customs airport]] status to this airport in 2002 with limited international operations.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/International-status-to-Bagdogra-airport-hailed/articleshow/24001049.cms |title = International status to Bagdogra airport | work= The Times of India| date= 2 October 2002| access-date = 27 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Night-landing facility at Bagdogra soon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Night-landing-facility-at-Bagdogra-soon/articleshow/5450515.cms |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=16 January 2010 |language=en}}</ref> Recently in 2014–15, air traffic at Bagdogra crossed 1 million for the first time with 43.6% growth rate. This is one of the few airports in India with zero sales tax on aviation turbine fuel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.Vbar1fmqqko|title=Bagdogra backs CM flight path- Tax waiver fuels air traffic growth |last=Mandal |first=Sanjay |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150728095856if_/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.VbdSZdj7SUk |archive-date=28 July 2015 |access-date = 27 April 2019}}</ref>

*[[Saktigarh Bidyapith]] (Co-ed)

 

*[[Isabella School, Siliguri]] (ICSE)

; Newspaper: English newspapers including ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/north%20bangal/2019-06-06/72/Page-1.html|title=The Telegraph Siliguri edition epaper|website=epaper.telegraphindia.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''[[Times of India]]'', ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.thestatesman.com/t/9248|title=The Statesman Siliguri edition|website=www.uttarbangasambad.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''The Economic Times'', and ''[[The Asian Age]]'' are widely circulated throughout the city. Several Bengali newspapers including ''[[Uttarbanga Sambad]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uttarbangasambad.in/|title=Uttarbanga Sambad Siliguri edition|website=www.uttarbangasambad.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''[[Anandabazar Patrika]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/topic/siliguri|title=Anandabazar Patrika Siliguri edition|website=www.anandabazar.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''[[Bartaman]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bartamanpatrika.com/contact.php?cID=39|title=Bartaman Patrika Siliguri edition|website=www.bartamanpatrika.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''Uttarer Saradin'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highmediaindia.com/Media/contact_us.html|title=Uttarer Saradin-High Media Infotainment India Ltd.|website=www.highmediaindia.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''[[Aajkaal]]'', ''Pratidin'', and ''[[Ganashakti]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangla.ganashakti.co.in/#page1|title=Ganashakti patrika Siliguri edition|website=bangla.ganashakti.co.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> are available. The leading Hindi dailies ''[[Prabhat Khabar]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.prabhatkhabar.com/t/6235/Siliguri-City/?s=si|title=Prabhat Khabar Siliguri edition|website=epaper.prabhatkhabar.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/west-bengal/siliguri/|title=Prabhat Khabar newspaper-Siliguri news|website=epaper.prabhatkhabar.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> and ''Janpath Samachar''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janpathsamachar.com/epaper.php?pageid=page1&date=070619|title=Janpath Samachar Siliguri edition epaper|website=www.janpathsamachar.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> are also published from Siliguri. ''Himalaya Darpan'' is a notable Nepali language newspaper circulated in Siliguri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaperhimalayadarpan.com/|title=Himalaya Darpan-news portal|website=www.epaperhimalayadarpan.com|access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref> The online based news portals ''Siliguri Times'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/category/news/siliguri/amp/|title=SiliguriTimes-news portal|website=www.siliguritimes.com|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> ''Khabar Arohan'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://khabararohan.in/|title=KhabarArohan|website=www.khabararohan.in|access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> ''Bong Siliguri Times'',<ref>[https://bongsiliguritimes.com/ ''Bong Siliguri Times'']</ref> ''CCN News'', and ''Siliguri Barta''<ref>[https://www.siliguribarta.com/ ''Siliguri Barta'']</ref> provide live updates regarding Siliguri and adjacent areas.

;Radio : [[All India Radio]] Siliguri was commissioned in 1963 as an additional station of [[All India Radio|AIR Kolkata]].<ref name="AIR Siliguri-history">{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=AIR Siliguri-history|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> It has two groups of transmitters, i.e. high power BEL HMB 140 (AM) -2 [2×100&nbsp;kW] and medium range GCEL 136 (FM) - 2 [2×5&nbsp;kW], for broadcasting programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/technical.html|title=AIR Siliguri-technical information|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> ''Prantik'' was the first program broadcast from here in 1969.<ref name="AIR Siliguri-history"/> In the course of time many notable individuals like [[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]], [[Ustad Rashid Khan]], [[Subhash Mukhopadhyay (poet)|Subhas Mukhopadhyay]], [[Shashi Kapoor]], [[Manabendra Mukhopadhyay]], [[Madhuri Chattopadhyay]], and Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi have visited [[All India Radio|AIR]] Siliguri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=Notable individuals visited AIR Siliguri|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Popular programs executing from here are ''Pratyusha'', ''Yuva Anusthan'', ''Grame Ganje'', ''Mahila Majlis'', ''Mananiyeshu'', ''Sishumahal'' and ''Arogya''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airsiliguri.in/history.html|title=Programs list of AIR Siliguri|website=www.airsiliguri.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Two radio channels are operated from [[All India Radio|AIR]] Siliguri through which programs are broadcasting daily:

;Television: Siliguri receives almost all television channels that are received by rest of the country. Apart from the national terrestrial network [[DD Bangla|Doordarshan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddbangla.gov.in/|title=DD Bangla-State owned channel|website=www.ddbangla.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://doordarshan.gov.in/|title=Doordarshan national|website=www.doordarshan.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> cable TV serves most of the houses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://main.trai.gov.in/siliguri-internet-cable-tv-private-limited|title=Siliguri Internet & Cable TV Private Limited |website=main.trai.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cccom.in/|title=CCN Siliguri cable network|website=www.cccom.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Siliguri also receives some Nepali<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abntv.in/|title=ABN TV Nepali TV channel|website=www.abntv.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> and Bangladeshi channels too. Siliguri has three local channels: CCN,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cccom.in/|title=CCN Siliguri|website=www.cccom.com|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Amar Cable and HTV. There is a TV tower in Kurseong,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doordarshan.gov.in/west-bengal-1|title=Doordarshan west Bengal stations|website=www.doordarshan.gov.in|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> about 25&nbsp;km from Siliguri.

Siliguri hosts numerous sporting events and matches to influence and build up young athletes from the city.  Some of the important sports enthusiast local clubs in Siliguri organise several cricket, football, volleyball, swimming competition, TT matches etc.  S.A.I or [[Sports Authority of India]] in Kanchenjunga Stadium conducts football and athletics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File1374.pdf|title=Sports Authority of India-Siliguri|website=www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> With the provision for an international outdoor and indoor stadium, Siliguri has enough opportunities to host national level matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|title=Third I-League matches in Kanchanjunga stadium|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> This has also led to Siliguri being a prominent city to produce national champions like [[Mantu Ghosh]], the gold medalist winner in the bi-annual South Asian Games (SAF) for table tennis, [[Ankita Das]],<ref name="champs"/> [[Nandita Saha]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/results/team/6241|title=Table Tennis Team-Women Melbourne 2006|publisher=thecgf.com|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> and [[Soumyajit Ghosh]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref> another internationally acclaimed table tennis player and [[Wriddhiman Saha]] – Indian international [[cricket]]er who plays [[Test cricket|Test matches]] for [[India national cricket team|Indian national team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;keeper=1;orderby=player;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;team=6;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=Wriddhiman Saha stats|website=espncricinfo|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> Siliguri has done a tremendous job for Indian table tennis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/sports/london-olympics-2012/siliguri-hailed-as-bhiwani-of-indian-tt-after-twin-oly-berth_741306.html|title=Siliguri hailed as Bhiwani of Indian TT|access-date=1 May 2019|date=22 April 2012}}</ref> Bikash Ghosh Memorial Swimming Pool is beside Kanchanjunga stadium in the city, which conducts swimming competitions. White water rafting is done nearby in the [[Teesta river]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.darjeeling-tourism.com/darj_0000f1.htm|title=white water rafting in Teesta river|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>

===Kanchenjunga stadium===

This is the main stadium in Siliguri,<ref>{{cite web | title =  Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri |publisher=World Stadiums| url = http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/india/siliguri_kanchenjunga.shtml | access-date = 1 May 2019 }}</ref> a multipurpose stadium, mainly used for football matches, although it has also hosted several cricket matches. It has a capacity of 30,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kanchenjunga-stadium-set-to-get-a-facelift-342689|title=Kunchenjunga stadium-about|website=www.mellenniumpost.in|access-date=1 May 2019|date=27 February 2019}}</ref> people at a time. Recently{{when|date=September 2020}} this stadium is all set to get a facelift.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.kolkata24x7.com/kanchenjunga-stadium-set-to-get-major-makeover.html/|title=Kunchenjunga stadium all set to get facelift|website=www.kolkata24×7.com|access-date=1 May 2019|date=28 February 2019}}</ref>

*This stadium hosted the [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup 2012]] matches of India. The first [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] played on this ground was between [[Mohun Bagan AC]] and [[Churchill Brothers S.C.]] in 2012.

*It also hosted two [[Kolkata Derby|kolkata derby]] matches in [[2015–16 I-League 2nd Division|2016 I-league]].

*[[Kolkata Derby|Third I-League derby]] matches were held in this stadium ground in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/siliguri-prepares-for-big-battle/cid/1324566|title=Third I-League matches supposed to held in Siliguri|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>

Indoor sports including [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], [[taekwon-do]], [[lawn tennis]] and [[chess]] are being played here. Siliguri is renowned for being the training grounds of table tennis players. This stadium can hold 5000 people at a time. The Senior National Table Tennis Championship<ref>{{cite web|title =National table tennis championships 2017 results|url=http://ttfi.org/cmspages/results/Result%20-%202017|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> was recently organised here.<ref>{{cite web|title =National table tennis championships|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/tournament-in-paddlers-hub-siliguri/cid/1524036|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> Sports festival, 2017 was also held in this indoor stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siliguritimes.com/sports-festival-begins-indoor-stadium-siliguri/|title=Sports festival, Siliguri|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>

| image1 = Tourism 3.jpg|caption1=The [[Coronation Bridge]]

| image2 = Tourism 2.jpg|caption2=Heritage [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway|Toy Train]] at [[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station|NJP]]

[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] toy train runs between [[New Jalpaiguri]], Siliguri and [[Darjeeling]]. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and has been designated as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|title=Mountain Railways of India|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944|access-date=29 April 2019|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}</ref><ref name="darjnews">{{cite web|title=History of DHR|url=http://www.darjeelingnews.net/darjeeling_himalayan_railway.html|access-date=29 April 2019|work=darjeelingnews.net|publisher=Darjeelingnews}}</ref> [[Coronation Bridge]], also known as Sevoke Bridge, is situated on lower Himalaya about 20&nbsp;km from Siliguri and was made in 1930<ref>{{cite web|title=Coronation bridge facts|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref> This bridge spans across [[Teesta River]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Coronation Bridge|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040805/asp/siliguri/story_3584709.asp|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> [[Gajoldoba]] view point is 28&nbsp;km from Siliguri, famous for the huge reservoir formed by Teesta barrage. This reservoir is home for variety of migratory birds (like [[river lapwing]], [[great crested grebe]], [[Indian cormorant]], [[purple heron]], [[Eurasian wigeon]], [[common shelduck]], [[cotton teal]], [[tufted duck]], [[little ringed plover]], [[great cormorant]]). Due to shuttling of migratory birds, the Pakhibitan sanctuary was established here. A boating facility is available.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gajoldoba view point-Mega tourism hub|url=http://www.north-bengal.com/gajaldoba-dooars.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.north-bengal.com}}</ref>

There are some important Hindu and Buddhists monuments in and around the city. [[Salugara Monastery|Salugara monastrey]] is located {{cvt|6|km}} away from Siliguri. Main attraction is the {{cvt|100|ft}} [[stupa]], which is believed to be founded by the Tibetan Lama, [[Kalu Rinpoche]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Salugara monastery|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref> The ideal tranquil location for meditation was established by Tibetan monks and followers of [[Dalai Lama]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Salugara monastery|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/spectrum/bagpack-and-soak-in/612888.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref> Sed-Gyued monastrey is located near Salugara monastery. It is a breathtaking monument which was destroyed by the Chinese army, and then rebuilt. The monastery is home to more than 90 monks of the [[Gelug|Gelukpa]] division, and is used as a research centre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sed gyued monastery|url=http://www.sed-gyued.org/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.sed-gyued.org}}</ref> Ewam India Buddhist Monastrey is {{cvt|11|km}} from Siliguri and is placed in the lap of nature near Bengal safari.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ewam India Buddhist monastery|url=https://www.ewam.org/centers|access-date=29 April 2019|website=www.ewam.org}}</ref> The [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|ISKCON]] temple in the city, also known as Sri Sri Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir locally, is one of the biggest Krishna centres in the North-Eastern region of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=ISCON Siliguri|url=http://centers.iskcondesiretree.com/siliguri/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=centres.iscondesiretree.com}}</ref> The Sevoke Kali temple is an ancient temple on the banks of [[Teesta River|Teesta]] river close to the [[Coronation Bridge]].This temple dedicated to [[Kali|Maa Kali]], the Goddess of Destruction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sevoke kali mandir|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref>

Siliguri also offers amusement and water parks to tourists and locals. Dreamland Amusemet Park, located near [[Fulbari]], {{cvt|12|km}} from Siliguri junction, is an agricultural land converted in a fun house. It has 5-6 usual rides with a mini [[Ropeway]] also. Savin Kingdom is an amusement and water park which is located near Dagapur in Siliguri. The park is a great place for fun and leisure. The water park has a pool, slides, artificial wave, and rain dance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Savin kingdom water park attractions|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/details/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref> It also has various joy rides like adrenaline junkies, sky train, break dance, go-carting, and artificial bulls. A multiplex, kids zone, restaurant are also there.<ref>{{cite web|title=Savin kingdom Siliguri|url=http://savinkingdom.com/retreat|access-date=29 April 2019|website=savinkingdom.com}}</ref>

North Bengal Science Centre, established in 1997, is the only science sentre of North Bengal.The main attractions are Digital Planetarium, Science Shows, 3D Theater, Taramandal Shows, science galleries and a green Science Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=North Bengal science centre attractions|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=North Bengal science centre|url=https://nbscsiliguri.org/about-us.html|access-date=29 April 2019|website=nbscsiliguri.org}}</ref> The Hong Kong market is known as the Chandni Chowk of [[Northeast India]], a street market with a variety of shops popping out on the alleyways.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Hong Kong market|url=https://wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/siliguri|access-date=30 April 2019|website=www.wbtourismgov.in}}</ref>

* [[Soumyajit Ghosh]] - table tennis player and the youngest Indian to qualify for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London, 2012 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/spectrum/main6.htm|title=Ankita Das and Soumyajit Ghosh are the youngest Indian players to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> He also became the youngest national champion at the age of 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Soumyajit-Ghosh-becomes-youngest-national-table-tennis-champ/articleshow/17996714.cms|title=Soumyajit Ghosh becomes youngest national table tennis champ|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

* [[Charu Majumdar]] - [[communist]] revolutionary from [[India]]

* [[Sailendra Nath Roy]] - Guinness Book of World Record holder for the farthest distance travelled on a zip wire and pulled 40 tonnes [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway|DHR]] toy train using hair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9553076/Man-pulls-train-with-hair-in-world-record-attempt.html|title=Man pulls train with hair in world record attempt|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=19 September 2012|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/man-uses-his-hair-to-pull-darjeeling-himalayan-train--17741.html|title=Man uses his hair to pull Darjeeling Himalayan train|publisher=indiatvnews.com|date=20 October 2016|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref>

* [[Wriddhiman Saha]] - Indian international [[cricket]]er who plays [[Test cricket|Test matches]] for [[India national cricket team|Indian national team]].