Kolkata, Howrah delimitation bills in assembly today
Times of India | 12 August 2026
Kolkata: The state govt will place Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in a special session on Wednesday, seeking to increase the number of elected councillors in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) from 144 to 209 and from 50 to 68 in Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC). The two bills are scheduled to be considered and passed after discussions in the House on Wednesday.
The proposed amendment to Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, seeks to revise the number of KMC wards and elected representatives. The Bill proposes replacing the existing provision for “144 councillors” with “209 elected councillors”.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the amendment has been proposed to revise the number of KMC wards based on ward-wise population, dwelling patterns, geographical conditions and economic considerations of the corporation.
Central Delimitation Committee (CDC) report, submitted to the municipal affairs and urban development department last week, proposed reorganising the 144 existing KMC wards into 200. The report also urged the state govt to expand the ward count to 209. Later, the state govt decided to increase it to 209. The civic body directed the CDC to cap the population of each ward at 16,000 to 18,000 voters.
According to the delimitation proposal accessed by TOI, ward increases are concentrated in outer-south and eastern constituencies. Out of 17 assembly segments in the KMC area, 14 will gain wards.
Constituencies in central and northern Kolkata will see the ward count dip or record minor changes. Chowringhee, Jorasanko and Shyampukur will each drop from 11 wards to eight. Rashbehari (9 to 10 wards), Bhowanipore (8 to 10) and Metiabruz (6 to 8) will record minor gains.