NationalThursday, 13 August 2026·The Hindu - National
West Bengal Assembly passes delimitation bills for Kolkata and Howrah municipal wards
The West Bengal Assembly passed two 2026 bills to raise Kolkata wards from 144 to 209 and Howrah wards from 50 to 68 before civic polls.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 to begin ward delimitation in Kolkata and Howrah.
Key specifics
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards will rise from 144 to 209, an increase of 65 wards.
- Howrah Municipal Corporation wards will rise from 50 to 68, adding 18 wards.
- The estimated population of Kolkata Municipal Corporation is 6.7 million, while Howrah Municipal Corporation has 1.6 million.
- The actual delimitation will be done later by the State Election Commission (SEC), not by the Assembly.
- The West Bengal government wants to complete the delimitation exercise before civic polls due by the end of 2026.
Exam lens
Polity and local governance question: ward delimitation, State Election Commission, municipal corporation amendments, 144 to 209 and 50 to 68. TNPSC may ask which body conducts delimitation after the law is passed.