Home > Travel > Cities of India > Salt Lake
Salt Lake
Salt Lake or Bidhannagar is a municipal corporation and a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.

Share this Article:

Salt Lake, Kolkata, West BengalSalt Lake City is a planned satellite town in West Bengal. It was developed between 1958 and 1965 to accommodate the growing population of Kolkata. Salt Lake City is also called Bidhannagar in honour of the then chief minister of Bengal, Dr.Bidhan Chandra Ray who was instrumental in the development of this satellite township.

History of Salt Lake
In 1865, the British Government in India started reclaiming these salt water bodies of SaltLake by connecting it with Maratha Ditch. In 1878, the British Government leased out the right of the place to Nandalal Das and Durgacharan Kundu till 1887. On 30th April 1890, the Government again advertised in the newspaper and gave the leasehold right to the highest bidder, Bhabanath Sen. The said right ended in 1899 and in 1906, the Government again leased out the lakes for 10 years.

Geography of Salt Lake
Salt Lake City is gifted with many wetlands and lakes that still surround Bidhannagar or Salt Lake. Bidhannagar is located at 22.58 degree north to 88.42 degree east. It has an average elevation of 11 m. Salt Lake City is the most enriched part of Kolkata as it is very near to the airport. Many of the fast-growing IT companies are located in this area. Salt Lake has its existence as the marshland, which was connected once with Maratha Ditch of Kolkata. It was the ditch made by the people of Kolkata in 17th century during the time of Siraj ud daullah to protect Kolkata from the invasion of Marathas.

Planning of Salt Lake
Salt Lake City is now the economic and social expansion and is famous as the centre for IT in the city. Originally, Salt Lake was built and developed under the direct administration of the irrigation and Waterways Department of the Government of West Bengal. Later in 1995, Bidhannagar got its own elected body called Bidhannagar Municipality consisting of 23 wards which was later increased to 25 wards.

Demography of Salt Lake
According to the reports of Census India 2011, Salt Lake City had a population of 218,323 with 111,363 males and 106,960 females. Bidhannagar or Salt Lake has an average literacy rate of 90.44 percent with male literacy of 93.08 percent and female literacy of 87.69 percent.

Attractions of Salt Lake
Attractions in Salt Lake are located very adjacent to Lake Town and Rajarhat, this place has many places of attractions. The City Centre, Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) Nicco Park, Aquatica, and Science and Technology Ground and Central Park are the popular attractions in Salt Lake. Central Park is the largest park in the Kolkata urban area after the Maidan. Central Park is about 100 acres and Banabitan is administered by the Forest Department.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Cities of India

Cities of North East India
Cities of North East India defines the unity in their culture and tradition. The tourism sector in North East cities in India are mainly based on nature and adventure tourism.
Cities of Central India
Cities of Central India are located on the Central Highlands in the midst of the dense jungles and the rich history of Chandella Dynasty.
Cities of South India
Cities of South India express the cleanliness, technically upgraded traffic system and easy communication in inter cities and abroad with railways, roadways and airways.
Cities of North India
Capital Cities of North India have a rich history from the time of Mahabharata. These cities have good communication system, proper business centers and cultural home towns.
Capital Cities in East India
Capital cities in East India define the Bengali and Odiya culture with the close similarities. The tribal culture is also dominant in the 21st century capitals along with the heavy industrialization.
Capital Cities of South India
Capital cities of South India are the smarter cities, with well equipped communication system and rapid transit system. In these capital cities of India, ayurveda, historical tourism and the medical tourism are dominant.
Capital cities of West India
Capital cities of West India define the business centers and this region has the highest GDP rate.
Capital Cities of Central India
Capital Cities of Central India are located in the midst of forests and the tribal belts of Central India.
Capital Cities in North East India
North East India forms a unity in the tribal language, settlements and the culture. The capital cities of North East India run their administration in a unified form.
Ancient North Indian Cities
Ancient North Indian Cities were developed in the early era that is from the time of Mahabharata, and after the decline of Hindu kings in Northern parts. Some have become desolated and some became the archaeological ruins.
Ancient South Indian Cities
Ancient South Indian Cities witness the rise and fall of many empires from the early era.
Ancient Cities of North West India
Ancient Cities of North West India show the Rajput culture from the early phase, but in medieval era it showed the prominence after having a good relation with Mughals.
Ancient West Indian Cities
Ancient West Indian Cities are now completely in ruins, because of the heavy earthquake in some of the regions.
Holy Cities of North West India
Holy Cities of North West India are grown up in the midst of dry and thorny desert lands with Rajputana art and architecture.
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India
Tourism in Metropolitan Cities in India represent the culture, history, monuments and eco tourism with easy connectivity in roadways, railways and airways.
Holy Cities of North India
Holy Cities of North India are having the rich history of Hinduism and the entire civilization was grown up with the hands of beliefs, rituals and the evolution of religion.
Holy Cities of South India
Holy Cities of South India gives the detailed cultural formation of Dravidians from the early era, which later developed to the world by the Pallavas and the Cholas.
Holy Cities of Central India
Holy Cities of Central India have the excellence of art and architecture in temples in the early era.
Holy Cities of East India
Holy Cities of East India refer the places of religious importance. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are widely spread.
Holy Cities of West India
Holy Cities in West India were established by the rulers of Rajputs and the Satvahana Dynasty and the medieval rulers of Junagadh.