Bengal Divides Urban Development Projects
The West Bengal State Urban Development and Municipal Administration has announced a clear division of responsibilities between two key agencies the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and the Municipal Engineering Directorate (MED). This restructuring aims to eliminate confusion and enhance the efficiency of urban projects throughout the state.
As per the new structure, the KMDA will oversee and implement municipal affairs in a vast region encompassing 40 municipalities and corporations across several districts. This includes the urban areas within the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority limits as well as municipalities in districts such as Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas. This broad scope reinforces the KMDA’s role as the primary agency for urban development projects within Kolkata and its surrounding areas.Meanwhile, the Municipal Engineering Directorate (MED) will take responsibility for urban projects in 88 municipalities spread across regions like Alipurduar, Bankura, Birbhum, Cooch Behar, and several others in North Bengal. The MED will continue to provide essential technical support for urban projects, particularly those under central government schemes such as AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), Green City Mission, and the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM).
This division of responsibilities has been introduced in response to long-standing confusion between the two bodies, which had previously led to overlaps in their roles and caused delays in the execution of key projects. Issues regarding drinking water supply, sanitation, and faecal sludge treatment plants had created significant confusion, with both agencies often overlapping in their mandates, leading to inefficiency and duplication of efforts.The new mandate provides much-needed clarity, particularly in the execution of critical infrastructure projects in urban areas. The distinction between the two agencies’ responsibilities will ensure that each body focuses on its designated territories, with the KMDA concentrating on the more urbanised areas in and around Kolkata, while the MED takes charge of development in smaller municipalities outside the metropolitan area.The West Bengal State Urban Development Department has long relied on the KMDA and MED for executing urban affairs, both within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area and beyond. While the KMDA’s scope has been relatively clear, the MED has traditionally served as a technical support agency. It has been responsible for providing engineering assistance and overseeing projects in municipalities beyond Kolkata. However, the overlap in their duties, particularly in projects like water supply, sanitation, and stormwater management, often led to confusion, with both agencies occasionally pursuing the same projects simultaneously.
The lack of clear boundaries between the responsibilities of these two agencies had become a source of inefficiency, causing delays and at times, duplicate work. The State Urban Development Department had been under pressure to resolve these issues and ensure that projects were completed on time and within budget. With the new restructuring in place, it is expected that there will be a smoother execution of urban development projects across the state.This move aligns with the broader vision of ensuring better urban planning and management, which is critical as West Bengal grapples with rapid urbanisation and infrastructure challenges. The West Bengal government’s renewed focus on efficient urban planning and development is also in line with the national objective of creating sustainable, eco-friendly, and resilient cities. Urban development projects aimed at improving public health, water supply, sanitation, and flood management are integral to making cities more livable and climate-resilient.Experts view this restructuring as a positive step towards eliminating the bottlenecks that have hampered urban development in the state. By defining clear roles for both KMDA and MED, the government is not only promoting greater accountability but also laying the groundwork for future urban infrastructure projects that are better coordinated and more effective. This move is expected to improve the delivery of essential services to urban residents, ensuring that basic amenities such as clean drinking water, efficient sewage systems, and proper drainage are better managed.
With the new structure now in place, stakeholders expect an improvement in the planning and execution of municipal projects, especially in areas facing rapid urban growth. The government’s focus on improving the urban landscape through better coordination between the two agencies will hopefully set a precedent for other states to follow, fostering a model of urban governance that prioritises clarity, efficiency, and sustainable development.
