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Siliguri is a rapidly developing metropolis in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is strategically located in the Chicken's Neck — a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its north eastern states. Besides, it is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The town hosts over 500,000 domestic and 15,000 foreign visitors annually. It is the commercial nerve centre of North Bengal.
Siliguri is situated in Darjeeling district, and though it is the district's largest city, the district headquarters is located at Darjeeling. The Indian army has a large base here. The Assam Rifles — an Indian paramilitary wing — is located just north of the city and includes an airport within its cantonment area.
Geography
Siliguri is situated at the base of the Himalaya mountains in the plains. It is the largest town in the area (North Bengal) and connects the hill station towns of Gangtok, Kalimpong and Darjeeling with the rest of India. The Mahananda River flows past Siliguri. Siliguri has three main seasons summer, winter and monsoon. Summers are not very hot and temperatures rarely exceed 40°C.It is considerably cooler than the southern and central regions of West Bengal. During this season, tourists from all over India stop in Siliguri en route to the cooler climes of the northern hill stations. Winters are cool and temperatures range from a high of 15°C to a low of about 3°C. Light rain and dense fog are seen during this season. During the monsoon season between June and September, the town is lashed by heavy rains often cutting access to the hill stations and Sikkim. The climate is suitable for growing tea and the surrounding region has many tea gardens.
Economy
Siliguri is described to be the gateway to the Northeast. The strategic location of the city makes it a base for essential supplies to the region. Siliguri has gradually developed as a profitable centre for a variety of businesses. As a central hub, many national companies and organisations have set up their offices here. Recently a number of movie-multiplexes are being planned to be opened in Siliguri.The Hong Kong market located here is a chief hub for buying low cost Chinese goods ,and is very popular among people from nearby areas.3 "T" s - Tea,Timber and Transport are the main businesses of Siliguri.Siliguri is the headquarters of FOCIN(Fedaration of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of North Bengal).
Demographics
The people of Siliguri are mostly Bengali and Nepalese. Bengali and Nepali are the two most widely spoken languages here. The business class Marwaris are also gaining prominence in the city.
Transport
Local public transport include city buses, cycle rickshaws and tempos.
Siliguri has three important railway stations:
1. Siliguri Town - This is the oldest station in the area. Opened on 23 Aug, 1880 during the British Raj, this station used to be the terminus for the trains coming from Calcutta, and the starting point for the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway for journey to Darjeeling.
2. Siliguri Junction - This station opened in 1949, and used to be the point of departure of all trains to the north-eastern states, until the broad gauge was extended to Dibrugarh. Siliguri Junction is the only station in India with all the three gauges of tracks.
3. New Jalpaiguri - Opened in 1961 as a totally greenfield project 16km south of Siliguri, this is now the most important station in the region. This station connects Siliguri to every nook and corner of the country. The city has expanded and touched New Jalpaiguri such that it seems to be a seamless single city.
With the extension of broad-gauge railway track to the Siliguri Junction station, people can now travel directly to the heart of the city without having to alight at New Jalpaiguri. This new broad-gauge track covers the old Dooars metre-gauge track, and is a beautiful journey passing as it is through the foothills of the Bhutan hills and picturesque little hamlets and villages with the famous Dooars tea gardens for company.
Bagdogra airport, situated about 12 km away is the closest airport. The airport is well connected to most Indian cities including the state capital Calcutta. The Bagdogra airport is poised to become an international airport in the near future. A regular helicopter service links Siliguri to Gangtok.
The Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminal is a major stop for most buses in the region. The Royal Government of Bhutan also operates buses from Siliguri to the Bhutanese capital Thimphu. Jeeps also link Siliguri to neighbouring towns. Similarly the Sikkim government's buses run to Sikkim from the SNT bus station opposite the Central Bus Terminal.
A new road, named as Vivekananda Road, has been built connecting Burdwan Road to the Mahabirsthan Rail Gate bringing much relief to the chaotic section of the city. Also a new fly-over over the Rail Gate is under construction connecting Hashmi Chowk to Mahabirsthan. This flyover will provide seamless communication from the Station Feeder Road in the south to Hill Cart Road in the central part of the city.
Sports
Table Tennis, Cricket, Taekwon-Do and football (soccer) are the four most popular sports here. People are football crazy and support the local Bengal clubs. The Kanchenjanga Stadium is the city's only outdoor stadium and matches are regularly held here.
There is an indoor stadium at Deshbandhupara in the southern part of the city. This new stadium has facilities for Lawn Tennis and Badminton as well as a host of other indoor sports.
However, the city is best known for being the training grounds for many Table Tennis players - specially Mantu Ghosh who was the Gold medal winner in the 1996 and 1999 SAF Games.
In recent years the close proximity of the Teesta river has made Siliguri a destination for adventure sports enthusiasts.
Education
The North Bengal University is located at "Shib Mandir", a suburb of Siliguri. The place has been renamed as Raja Rammohanpur. The University was founded in 1962 and is the only center for advanced learning in the northern part of West Bengal. Over 36,000 undergraduates and 1500 graduate students enrol in different courses in the University during any given academic year.
The Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College is a part of this university, as is the Government College in Deorali, Sikkim. The North Bengal Medical College and Hospital at Sushrutanagar, just across the Mahananda River, to the west of the city is the only medical college in north Bengal.
The Siliguri Institute of Technology, located at Sukna, on the northern part of the city, is the first private Engineering College to come up in the region. And there are more privately-aided technical colleges coming up in and around the city.
Places around Siliguri
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Madhuban Park
- Umrao Singh Boat Club
- Salugara Monastery
- Coronation Bridge
- Naxalbari
- Picnic Spots like Garubathan, Lovers' Point
- Surya Sen Park
See also
"Siliguri"