West Bengal: region in India
What exactly constitutes the spatial extent of the city? For these aggregations, we used the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database (GHS-UCDB) to define the boundaries of the city. These cities -- or urban centers -- cover areas that are densely populated and built-up, and so may extend beyond the spatial borders of these cities that we may be familiar with. The GHS area is shaded in blue.
View West Bengal, India on the sprawlmap
Most recent snapshot: Taking into account the entire (i.e. aggregate) street network in West Bengal as of 2014, the overall level of street-network sprawl is 4.13, which is highly disconnected.
Trends in street network construction: The SNDis of street construction for the respective time periods are 3.84, 4.23, 4.53 and 4.64. In each period, new street development in West Bengal steadily grows more disconnected than in the last. This increase has slowed: between 1975 and 1976-1990, SNDi rose by 0.39 points, but between 1991-2000 and 2001-2014, it rose by just 0.12.
Quantity of street network construction: The street network in West Bengal spans a total of 34159 kilometers. The period with the greatest volume of street construction was 2001-2014. These roads have an SNDi of 4.64, which is highly disconnected.
Effect on the aggregate network: New construction in each period adds to the total stock of streets, but does not change streets that have already been built. Therefore, it has a limited effect on the street network as a whole. The SNDis of the aggregate street network in the respective time periods are 3.84, 3.98, 4.01 and 4.13. Overall, the SNDi of the aggregate street network has risen: the street network in West Bengal has become more disconnected. This increase has slowed: between 1975 and 1976-1990, SNDi rose by 0.14 points, but between 1991-2000 and 2001-2014, it rose by just 0.12.
The level of street-network sprawl in new development in West Bengal rose steadily. To get a sense of how street development has changed in West Bengal, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Kolkata, Asansol and Tamluk. None of the most populous cities follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Kolkata peaked in 1991-2000. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Asansol followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. The level of street-network sprawl in new development in Tamluk followed a zig-zag trend with an overall increase.
How do development practices in West Bengal fare in comparison to others in India? Most recently in 2001-2014, street construction in West Bengal was the 21st-most disconnected out of the 35 regions in India. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in India, street construction in West Bengal has become more connected. West Bengal ranked 17th in 1975, 12th in 1976-1990, 18th in 1991-2000 and 21st in 2001-2014.
As of 2014, the city with the most disconnected street network in West Bengal is Farakka with an SNDi of 7.89, which is highly disconnected. Conversely, the most connected city is Gazole / Gajol with an SNDi of -1.98, which is very well-connected. See trends for these cities: Gazole / Gajol, Farakka
The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in West Bengal rose steadily. To get a sense of how the aggregate street network has changed in West Bengal, we can consider three of its most populous cities: Kolkata, Asansol and Tamluk. Out of the three cities, Asansol and Tamluk do not follow the same trend as the region. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Asansol followed a zig-zag trend with an overall decrease. The level of street-network sprawl in the aggregate network in Tamluk peaked in 1976-1990.
To date, West Bengal is the 21st-most disconnected out of the 35 regions in India. Its position in the ranks since 1975 has fallen; relative to other regions in India, the street network in West Bengal has become more connected. West Bengal ranked 17th in 1975, 13th in 1976-1990, 16th in 1991-2000 and 21st in 2001-2014.
- Santaldih
- Puruliya
- Asansol
- Adra
- Sonapur
- Dalkola
- Manbazar
- Tikarchula
- Siliguri
- Islampur
- Raniganj
- Harishchandrapur
- Bankura
- Raiganj
- Chanchal
- Mal Bazaar
- Waria
- Jalpaiguri
- Durgapur
- Farakka
- Siuri
- Kaliyaganj
- Dhulian
- Jhargram
- Gazole / Gajol
- Kallachak
- Mainaguri
- Malda
- Bishnupur
- Rampur Hat
- Haldibari
- Dhupguri
- Birpara
- Bolpur
- Chandrakona Road
- Kharagpur
- Medinipur
- Falakata
- Kandi
- Lalgola
- Jaigaon
- Bardhaman
- Berhampore
- Kalchini
- Balurghat
- Cooch Behar
- Katwa
- Khanakul
- Tamluk
- Panskura
- Notun Digha
- Alipurduar
- Dashghara
- Tarkeshwar
- Dinhata
- Mayna
- Jalpai Purba
- Contai
- Kolkata
- Nabadwip
- Kalna
- Mahishadal
- Masat
- Krishnanagar
- Shantipur
- Haldia
- Ranaghat
- Chakdaha
- Bagula
- Haringhata
- Kakdwip
- Jaynagar Majilpur
- Habra
- Hatisala
- Sondalia
- Bangaon
- Baduria
- Canning
- Basirhat
- Taki