Balurghat

2026-03-30T15:54:32Z

63.164.47.2:

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Balurghat
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 300
| image_style =
| perrow = 1/1/2/2
| image1 = 1971 Pakistani Tank which surrendered to Indian Army in Balurghat.jpg|thumb|1971 Pakistani Tank which surrendered to Indian Army in Balurghat
| caption1 = [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971|1971 War]] Tank More Balurghat
| image2 = Kachikala club Durga Puja.jpg|thumb|Kachikala club Durga Puja
| caption2 = [[Durga Puja]] in Balurghat
| image3 = Balurghat.jpg
| caption3 = [[Balurghat Railway Station]]
| image4 = Balurghat-college-museum.png
| caption4 = Balurghat Museum
| image5 = Balurghat Airport.jpg
| caption5 = [[Balurghat Airport]]
| image6 = City Centre Balurghat Night Picture.jpg
| caption6 = City Centre Balurghat
}}
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|25.22|N|88.76|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of West Bengal|Division]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]]
| subdivision_type4 = Subdivision
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Malda division]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Dakshin Dinajpur]]
| subdivision_name4 = [[Balurghat subdivision]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| government_type = [[Municipal council (India)|Municipality]]
| governing_body = Balurghat Municipality
| leader_title = [[Mayor (India)|Chairman]]
| leader_name = Surajit Saha ([[Trinamool Congress|TMC]])<ref>{{cite news |last=Sen |first=Kousik |title=South Dinajpur: Balurghat gets new civic chief |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/south-dinajpur-balurghat-gets-new-civic-chief-prnt/cid/2143218 |work=The Telegraph India |date=18 January 2026 |access-date=19 February 2026}}</ref>

| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name='Balurghat City'>{{cite web|title=Balurghat Municipality|url=https://www.sudawb.org/wbdma_oldversion/HTM/DIS/MUNI_ULB_Balurghat.htm|website=sudawb.org|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 10.76
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 24
| population_total = 151,416
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census2011Gov"/>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = City Rank
| population_blank1 = [[List of cities in West Bengal by population|20th in West Bengal]]
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref name="wblangoff">{{cite web|title=Fact and Figures|url=https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/facts-and-figures;jsessionid=JzdD9RHb7aMY5esZPtcsIVLy|website=Wb.gov.in|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=Nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=14 July 2019|page=85|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[English language| English]]<ref name="wblangoff"/>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 733101, 733102, 733103
| area_code = 03522
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in India#WB—West Bengal|WB-61]] to [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in India#WB—West Bengal|WB-62]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Balurghat]]
| demographics2_title2 = Recognised Regional
| demographics2_info2 =
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Balurghat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Balurghat]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Airport]]
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Balurghat Airport]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = [[Transit system|Transit]]
| blank4_info_sec1 = '''[[National highways of India| Highway]]''': [[National Highway 512 (India)|NH-512]] '''[[Indian Railways| Railway]]''': [[Balurghat railway station|BLGT]]
| blank5_name_sec1 = City Development Authority
| blank5_info_sec1 = [[Department of North Bengal Development|NBDD]]
| official_name =
| website = {{URL|https://wb.gov.in/|Government of West Bengal}} {{URL|https://ddinajpur.nic.in/|Dakshin Dinajpur}} {{URL|http://www.balurghatmunicipality.org/|Balurghat Municipality}} {{URL|https://www.dakshindinajpurzp.org/|Dakshin Dinajpur Zilla Parishad}}
}}

'''Balurghat''' is a city and municipality in the [[Dakshin Dinajpur]] district of [[West Bengal]], [[India]], and serves as the district headquarters. Located along [[National Highway 512]] and the [[Atrai River]], it is an important center for trade, education, and administration. The local economy is mainly based on agriculture, especially rice cultivation, along with small-scale industries. Its proximity to the [[Bangladesh]] border also gives it strategic importance.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1905_PART_A_DCHB_DAKSHIN%20DINAJPUR.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Dakshin Dinajpur, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Census of India 2011, Page 13: Physiography |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal | access-date = 24 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/dips/DAKSHIN_DINAJPUR.pdf |title = Brief Industrial Profile of Dakshin Dinajpur district | work= Pages 3-4: Topography |publisher= MSME Development Institute Kolkata | access-date = 24 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ddinajpur.nic.in/River/river.html | title = Dakshin Dinajpur district | work = Rivers | publisher = District Administration | access-date = 24 November 2018 | archive-date = 6 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181206005142/http://www.ddinajpur.nic.in/River/river.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>
==History==

===Ancient period===
Balurghat and its surrounding regions have a history that dates back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was part of the [[Pundravardhana]] kingdom, which flourished between the 4th century BCE and the 6th century CE. Inscriptions and artefacts from the [[Gupta period]] found near the Balurghat region indicate its historical significance as a center of trade and culture. The presence of ancient terracotta and pottery artefacts further underscores its cultural and commercial connections during this era.<ref>{{cite book |title=Terracotta and Early Pottery in Bengal |author=Archaeological Survey of India |year=2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=History of Pundravardhana |author=P.C. Gupta |year=1985}}</ref>

===Medieval period===
During the medieval period, the region came under the influence of various dynasties, including the [[Pala Empire|Palas]] and [[Sena dynasty|Senas]]. The strategic location of Balurghat, near the banks of the Atrai River, made it an important hub for trade and agriculture. With the establishment of [[Bengal Sultanate|Islamic rule in Bengal]] in the 13th century, the area experienced significant socio-economic and cultural transformations. The remnants of mosques and tombs from this period are evidence of the Islamic architectural influence in the region.<ref>{{cite book |title=Islamic Architecture in Bengal |author=Wakil Ahmed |year=2001}}</ref>

===Colonial period===
The modern history of Balurghat began to take shape during the [[British Empire|British colonial era]]. It was a part of the Dinajpur district under the [[Bengal Presidency]]. The region witnessed significant administrative and infrastructural development during the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the introduction of railways and educational institutions. However, the [[Partition of Bengal (1947)|Partition of Bengal]] in 1947 profoundly impacted Balurghat, as it became a border town with [[East Pakistan]] (now Bangladesh). This led to demographic changes due to migration and economic shifts caused by the disruption of traditional trade routes.<ref>{{cite book |title=Partition and its Impact on Bengal Borderlands |author=Dipesh Chakrabarty |year=1997}}</ref>

===Post-independence period===
After [[Independence Day (India)|Indian independence]], Balurghat became the district headquarters of [[West Dinajpur district|West Dinajpur]] in West Bengal. The town developed as an administrative and cultural center. Over the years, it has grown in prominence due to its strategic location near the India-Bangladesh border. Initiatives for regional connectivity and cross-border trade have further boosted its economic importance. The establishment of institutions like [[Balurghat College]] in 1948 and [[Dakshin Dinajpur University]] in 2018 contributed to the town's educational growth.<ref>{{cite book |title=Dakshin Dinajpur Gazetteer |author=West Bengal District Gazetteers |year=1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Education in Colonial and Post-Colonial Bengal |author=N. Sengupta |year=2003}}</ref>

===Modern developments===
In recent years, Balurghat has witnessed urbanisation and infrastructural development, including improved road and rail connectivity. Cultural festivals like the [[Durga Puja]] & [[Christmas]] highlight the town's rich heritage and attract visitors. Its proximity to significant natural and historical sites makes Balurghat a growing center for [[Tourism in West Bengal|tourism in West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Development Report for Dakshin Dinajpur |url=https://www.westbengal.gov.in |publisher=Local Government of West Bengal |year=2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Location===
In the map alongside, all places marked on the map are linked in the full screen version.
{{OSM Location map
|width=350
|height=250
|zoom=9
|coord={{coord|25|20|20|N|88|39|10|E}}
|float=left
|caption='''Cities and towns in the Dakshin Dinajpur district''' '''M''': municipal city/ town, '''CT''': census town, '''R''': rural/ urban centre, '''H''': historical site Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly.

|mark-coord1={{coord|25|25|43|N|88|31|55|E}}
|label-pos1=top
|label1='''Gangarampur'''
|numbered1=M
|mark-title1=[[Gangarampur]] (M)
|label-color1=#0047AB
|label-size1=11
|mark-size1=12
|shape1=l-circle
|shape-color1=#0047AB
|label-offset-y1=-5

|mark-coord2={{coord|25|14|22|N|88|46|57|E}}
|label-pos2=right
|label2='''Balurghat'''
|numbered2=M
|mark-title2=[[Balurghat]] (M)
|label-color2=white
|label-bg2=#FF4500
|label-size2=14
|mark-size2=15
|shape-color2=#FF4500
|label-offset-x2=5

|mark-coord3={{coord|25|23|24|N|88|23|13|E}}
|label-pos3=bottom
|label3='''Buniadpur'''
|numbered3=M
|mark-title3=[[Buniadpur]] (M)
|shape-color3=#800080
|label-offset-y3=5

|mark-coord4={{coord|25|21|43|N|88|16|3|E}}
|label-pos4=right
|label4='''Harirampur'''
|numbered4=CT
|mark-title4=[[Harirampur, West Bengal]] (CT)
|shape-color4=#32CD32
|label-offset-x4=5
|label-offset-y4=-5

|mark-coord5={{coord|25|21|49|N|88|31|30|E}}
|label-pos5=left
|label5='''Gopalpur'''
|numbered5=CT
|mark-title5=[[Gopalpur, Dakshin Dinajpur]] (CT)
|shape-color5=#32CD32
|label-offset-x5=-5

|mark-coord6={{coord|25|21|4|N|88|45|24|E}}
|label-pos6=top
|label6='''Par Patiram'''
|numbered6=CT
|mark-title6=[[Par Patiram]] (CT)
|shape-color6=#32CD32
|label-offset-y6=-5

|mark-coord7={{coord|25|14|19|N|88|45|11|E}}
|label-pos7=left
|label7='''Dakra'''
|numbered7=CT
|mark-title7=[[Dakra]] (CT)
|shape-color7=#32CD32
|label-offset-x7=-5

|mark-coord8={{coord|25|12|43|N|88|45|1|E}}
|label-pos8=bottom
|label8='''Chak Bhrigu'''
|numbered8=CT
|mark-title8=[[Chak Bhrigu]] (CT)
|shape-color8=#32CD32
|label-offset-y8=5

|mark-coord9={{coord|25|16|53|N|88|58|25|E}}
|label-pos9=top
|label9='''Hili Checkpoint'''
|numbered9=R
|mark-title9=[[Hili, Dakshin Dinajpur]] (R)
|shape-color9=#8B0000
|label-offset-y9=-5

|mark-coord10={{coord|25|19|7|N|88|44|59|E}}
|label-pos10=left
|label10='''Patiram'''
|numbered10=R
|mark-title10=[[Patiram]] (R)
|shape-color10=#8B0000
|label-offset-x10=-5

|mark-coord11={{coord|25|26|1|N|88|43|36|E}}
|label-pos11=right
|label11='''Kumarganj'''
|numbered11=R
|mark-title11=[[Kumarganj, Dakshin Dinajpur]] (R)
|shape-color11=#8B0000
|label-offset-x11=5

|mark-coord15={{coord|25|27|48|N|88|31|55|E}}
|label-pos15=top
|label15='''Bangarh'''
|numbered15=H
|mark-title15=[[Bangarh]] (H)
|shape-color15=#FFD700
|label-offset-y15=-5

|mark-coord16={{coord|25.5084|88.6052}}
|label16='''India'''
|label-color16=black
|label-angle16=15
|label-pos16=bottom
|label-size16=10
|mark-size16=0
|mark-title16=none

|mark-coord17={{coord|25.5404|88.6252}}
|label17='''Bangladesh'''
|label-color17=black
|label-angle17=15
|label-pos17=bottom
|label-size17=10
|mark-size17=0
|mark-title17=none
}}

Balurghat is at {{Coord|25.22|N|88.77|E}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Balurghat.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Balurghat, India}}</ref> It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet). The town covers {{cvt|10.76|km2}} of area.<ref name='Balurghat City'/>

River [[Atrai River|Atreyee]] runs across the city, dividing it into disproportionate halves. The heart of the city, with important administrative, cultural and entertainment hubs, is on the eastern bank of the river. India-Bangladesh border is approximately 3 km from the town.

===Police stations===
Balurghat police station under West Bengal police has jurisdiction over Balurghat municipal area and [[Balurghat (community development block)|Balurghat]] CD Block.<ref name=handbook2014>{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Dakshin Dinajpur |work = Table 2.1 |publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 4 December 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |archive-date = 21 January 2019 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=ddpolice>{{cite web|url = http://dakshindinajpurpolice.gov.in/index.html|title = Dakshin Dinajpur District Police|work = Know your PS|publisher = District Police|access-date = 4 December 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171128184901/http://www.dakshindinajpurpolice.gov.in/index.html|archive-date = 28 November 2017|url-status = dead}}</ref> Balurghat Women police station has jurisdiction over [[Balurghat subdivision]].<ref name=ddpolice/>

===Subdivision and CD block HQ===
[[Balurghat subdivision]] has its headquarters at Balurghat.<ref name=handbook2014/>The headquarters of [[Balurghat (community development block)|Balurghat]] CD block is at Balurghat.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1905_PART_A_DCHB_DAKSHIN%20DINAJPUR.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Dakshin Dinajpur, Series 20 Part XII A | work = Map of Dakshin Dinajpur with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fourth page) |publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 4 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbpublibnet.gov.in/node/2101 | title = BDO Offices under Dakshin Dinajpur District | work = Department of Mass Education Extension & Library Services, Government of West Bengal | publisher = West Bengal Public Library Network | access-date = 4 December 2018 | archive-date = 2 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181102024551/http://wbpublibnet.gov.in/node/2101 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| location = Balurghat (1991–2020, extremes 1960–2012)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 32.0
| Feb record high C = 34.9
| Mar record high C = 39.1
| Apr record high C = 42.2
| May record high C = 43.4
| Jun record high C = 43.0
| Jul record high C = 40.0
| Aug record high C = 38.8
| Sep record high C = 37.0
| Oct record high C = 38.0
| Nov record high C = 35.5
| Dec record high C = 33.0
| year record high C = 43.4
| Jan record low C = 4.1
| Feb record low C = 6.2
| Mar record low C = 9.7
| Apr record low C = 12.4
| May record low C = 14.8
| Jun record low C = 14.8
| Jul record low C = 17.0
| Aug record low C = 16.8
| Sep record low C = 16.2
| Oct record low C = 12.2
| Nov record low C = 7.3
| Dec record low C = 4.7
| year record low C = 4.1
|Jan high C = 24.3
|Feb high C = 27.8
|Mar high C = 32.1
|Apr high C = 34.6
|May high C = 34.8
|Jun high C = 34.4
|Jul high C = 33.5
|Aug high C = 33.6
|Sep high C = 33.4
|Oct high C = 32.3
|Nov high C = 29.2
|Dec high C = 26.3
| year high C = 31.4
|Jan low C = 11.4
|Feb low C = 15.1
|Mar low C = 19.4
|Apr low C = 22.5
|May low C = 24.2
|Jun low C = 25.1
|Jul low C = 24.9
|Aug low C = 24.9
|Sep low C = 24.7
|Oct low C = 23.2
|Nov low C = 18.4
|Dec low C = 14.1
| year low C = 20.7
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 7.1
| Feb rain mm = 6.3
| Mar rain mm = 12.1
| Apr rain mm = 52.2
| May rain mm = 145.9
| Jun rain mm = 261.7
| Jul rain mm = 324.1
| Aug rain mm = 241.8
| Sep rain mm = 269.9
| Oct rain mm = 112.5
| Nov rain mm = 7.2
| Dec rain mm = 2.7
| year rain mm = 1443.4
| Jan rain days = 0.5
| Feb rain days = 0.5
| Mar rain days = 0.6
| Apr rain days = 2.8
| May rain days = 6.5
| Jun rain days = 10.1
| Jul rain days = 10.9
| Aug rain days = 9.4
| Sep rain days = 8.4
| Oct rain days = 3.3
| Nov rain days = 0.4
| Dec rain days = 0.1
| year rain days = 53.7
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 76
| Feb humidity = 70
| Mar humidity = 65
| Apr humidity = 69
| May humidity = 73
| Jun humidity = 78
| Jul humidity = 80
| Aug humidity = 81
| Sep humidity = 82
| Oct humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 81
| Dec humidity = 80
|year humidity = 76
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240408025145/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| archive-date = 8 April 2024
| url = https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Station: Balurghat Climatological Table 1991–2020
| work = Climatological Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| access-date = 17 July 2024}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M230
| access-date = 10 January 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{see also|List of cities in West Bengal}}
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Balurghat (2011)
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|98.74}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|0.49}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.77}}
}}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|caption = Languages of Balurghat (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 94.41 |color1 = orchid
|label2 = [[Hindi]] |value2 = 3.40 |color2 = orange
|label3 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value3 = 1.37 |color3 = darkturquoise
|label4 = Others |value4 = 0.82 |color4 = grey
}}

In the 2011 census, Balurghat municipality had a population of 153,279 of which 76,730 were males and 76,549 were females.<ref name="Rel"/> The Balurghat [[urban agglomeration]] had a population of 164,593, out of which 82,466 were males and 82,127 were females. The 0–6 years population was 10,349. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 91.66 per cent.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 21 October 2011 }}</ref>

{{As of|2001}} India census, Balurghat municipality had a population of 151,416, of which 75,794 were males and 75,622 were females. Balurghat has an average literacy rate of 84.8%, with 87% of the males and 82.5% of females literate. Population in the age range of 0-6 years is 10,677. The [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] have a population of 15,204 and 3,008 respectively. Balurghat had 37,507 households in 2011.<ref name="Census2011Gov">{{cite web |title=Census of India: Balurghat |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=351349 |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |access-date=10 October 2019}}</ref>

98.7% of the population are [[Hindus]], with small percentages (below 1%) of [[Muslims]] and [[Sikhs]].<ref name="Rel">{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref>

At the time of the 2011 census, 94.41% of the population of Balurghat Municipality spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 3.40 [[Hindi]] and 1.37% [[Santali language|Santali]] their first language.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Economics==
{{main|Balurghat (community development block)#Economy}}
Balurghat is a distribution centre in northern West Bengal. The main goods traded include rice, [[jute]], sugar cane, fisheries and oilseeds.<ref name="brittanica">[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9012068/Balurghat Balurghat], from [[Encyclopædia Britannica]].</ref>

==Transport==
===Railway===
[[File:Sealdah Balurghat Express AC Economy.jpg|Sealdah Balurghat Express|thumb|right|228x228px]]
[[Balurghat Railway Station]] is the terminus station of the [[Eklakhi–Balurghat branch line]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-malda-town-balurghat-passenger-55421/14243/441/1899 | title= 55721x->55421 Malda Town-Balurghat Passenger | work= Time Table |publisher= India Rail Info | access-date =30 November 2018}}</ref>
Trains connecting Balurghat to [[Kolkata]] directly include [[Sealdah-Balurghat express]], [[Tebhaga Express]] and [[Howrah–Balurghat Bi-Weekly Express|Howrah-Balurghat Express]]. Train services also connect Balurghat to [[Siliguri]] in the north through [[Balurghat-Siliguri Intercity Express]]. Balurghat is also connected to [[Malda, West Bengal| Malda]] through Balurghat-Malda Court Passenger Train. Besides, ''Balurghat-Nabadwip Dham Express'' connects [[Nabadwip]] with Balurghat. Since 2024, the [[Farakka Express (via Ayodhya Cantt)|Farakka Express]] is running from Balurghat to [[New Delhi]] and upto [[Bathinda]] which eventually connect the city with the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] of India. In 2025, [[SMVT Bengaluru–Balurghat Express]] have been started from Balurghat to [[Bengaluru]] via [[Kharagpur]], [[Bhubaneswar]] and [[Perambur]] (near [[Chennai]]) which connects the city to [[South India]] via the [[Eastern Coastal Plains|East Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM to visit West Bengal on 17–18 January |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2215249&reg=3&lang=1 |website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |publisher=Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India |date=16 January 2026 |access-date=17 January 2026}}</ref>

===Highways===
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Indian [[National Highway 512 (India)|National Highway 512]] passes through Balurghat (from [[Gazole Town|Gazole]] To [[Hili, Dakshin Dinajpur|Hili]]).

At Balurghat, there is a Government bus and a separate private bus stand. The [[North Bengal State Transport Corporation|NBSTC]] ({{small|Major Service Provider}}), [[South Bengal State Transport Corporation|SBSTC]] ({{small|Limited Service Provider}}) and [[West Bengal Transport Corporation| WBTC]] ({{small|Only between Kolkata & Balurghat}}) are the government bus service provides majority of bus rides to distant places. Many buses (both Government and private) run from Balurghat to Kolkata, Siliguri, [[Jalpaiguri]], [[Coochbehar]], [[Kalna City| Kalna]], [[Durgapur]], Malda, and [[Raiganj]].

===Airways===
[[File:Balurghat-airport-balurghat-dinajpur.jpg|A helicopter landing at Balurghat Airport from [[Kolkata Airport]]|thumb|right|228x228px]]
[[Balurghat Airport]] is situated at the entrance of the town, at Mahinagar, although the airport is not operating right now due to construction and executive issues. A [[Kolkata]]-[[Malda City|Malda]]-Balurghat-[[Coochbehar]] flight service has been planned for this airport. Previously, there was a [[Kolkata]]-[[Malda City|Malda]]-Balurghat helicopter service for some years.

==Education==
[[File:Independence Day Celebration BHS.jpg|Balurghat High School|thumb|right|228x228px]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|colspan="2"| '''Educational Institutions in Balurghat'''
|-
! Category
! Institutions
|-
| '''Schools'''
| {{bulleted list | [[Balurghat High School]] | [[Atreyee D. A. V. Public School]] | [[Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur]] }}
|-
| '''Colleges'''
| {{bulleted list | [[Balurghat College]] | [[Balurghat Mahila Mahavidyalaya]] | [[Balurghat Law College]] | [[Jamini Majumdar Memorial College]]}}
|-
| '''Universities'''
| {{bulleted list | [[Dakshin Dinajpur University]]|[[Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya]] (Majhian Campus) }}
|}

==Festivals==
Durga Puja is widely celebrated throughout the town. Major places to visit during festival are Avijatri Club, Kachikala Club, Srijoni Sangha, Newtown, Sanket Club and various others. The next big festival is [[Kali Puja]] which is also a major festival celebrated during [[Diwali| Deepawali]]. Majour places are Milan Sangha Club, Balurghat College more, Yubashree Sangha and various others places. Some other festivals like Chhath Puja, Rath Yatra, Biswakarma Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi and Saraswati puja are widely celebrated at Balurghat. '''Bolla Kali Puja''' is celebrated at [[:bn:বোল্লা কালীমন্দির|Bolla]] approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Balurghat, in November each year, for which millions of devotees come to see the festival. Festivals of non-hindu religions are also celebrated i,e [[Christmas]], [[Ramadaan]], and [[Buddha Purnima]].

==Sports==
Balurghat is also home to district's first stadium to host the top tier national level [[cricket]] match like a [[Ranji Trophy]] Match.<ref name="Stadium">{{Cite web|title=Balurghat to host Ranji match for first time|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/balurghat-to-host-ranji-match-for-first-time/cid/1729758|access-date=25 October 2020|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> Balurghat Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium used for sports like cricket and football. A major cricket tournament called ''Bijay Kumar Saha Memorial T-20 Tournament''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricheroes.com/tournament/1179683/bijay-kumar-saha-memorial-t-20-cricket-tournament/matches/past-matches|title= BIJAY KUMAR SAHA MEMORIAL T-20 CRICKET TOURNAMENT Balurghat}}</ref> held annually at this stadium where various teams from West Bengal, India & even from Bangladesh participate. An indoor sports complex in Balurghat is also inaugurated in 2023 for various indoor sports activities like badminton, table tennis, marshal arts etc. Since 2021, usually in the month of December, the district police have been organising a 10 km marathon, for all age of people, in the town to promote health and traffic rule awareness.<ref>{{cite web |title=Balurghat: Police organise marathon |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/balurghat-police-organise-marathon-546298 |website=Millennium Post |date=31 December 2023 |access-date=28 December 2025}}</ref> The Police line playground is one of the major playground and has the best infrastructure after the main stadium which is used by both the [[West Bengal Police]] & general public. Some other major playgrounds are Balurghat College Playground (''Uttamasaha''), Balurghat High School Playgrounds, Netaji Sporting Club, Railway Station ground etc.

==Healthcare==
*Dakshin Dinajpur District Hospital has 600 beds
*Balurghat Super Specialty Hospital
*Balurghat Police Hospital has 50 beds
*Balurghat Municipal Hospital or ''Matri Sadan'' has 32 beds<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/ | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 7 December 2018 | archive-date = 28 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028134305/https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99a499ee367f0c1530476c81086270c8 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Notable people==


* [[Madhubanti Bagchi]], singer
* [[Dhiren Banerjee]], Indian Revolutionary & Physician
* [[Palas Barman]], former MP
* [[Ranen Barman]], former MP
* [[Rasendra Nath Barman]], former MP
* [[Sankar Chakraborty]], former MLA
* [[Susil Ranjan Chattopadhyay]], former MP
* [[Sanjay Hansda]], Executive Director of the [[Reserve Bank of India]]
* [[Sukanta Majumdar]], [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Minister of State for Education]] & [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region|Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region]], [[Government of India]]
* [[Abhijit Mondal]], footballer
* [[Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay]], theatre personality, [[Padma Shri]] awardee (posthumously) in 2026

==See also==
*[[West Bengal]]
*[[Dakshin Dinajpur]]
*[[Districts of West Bengal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{URL|https://www.dakshindinajpurzp.org/}}
* {{URL|http://balurghatmunicipality.org}}
* {{URL|https://ddinajpur.nic.in/}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Balurghat}}

{{Dakshin Dinajpur}}
{{Dakshin Dinajpur topics}}
{{Balurghat}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}

{{West Bengal}}

[[Category:Balurghat| ]]
{{Commons category| Balurghat}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Dakshin Dinajpur district]]
[[Category:Cities in West Bengal]]

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