1. Historical background:

With the clearance of nominated mayor and nine older men at the regime of East India Company in the 1726 the Municipal Administration started its journey. Though Calcutta now Kolkata witness the pattern of development in 1794 with the decision of definite boundaries of Municipal and Judicise purpose. Up to 1864 the British has concentrated all development whatsoever within the visionary of Kolkata.

In the historical background the political scenario the British Empire has to take decision to extend the local autonomy all over the Bengal especially the big and growing business center and enacted the District Municipal Improvement Act, 1864 and the District Town Act, 1868 to take up the development and conservancy work by the help of the police.

However, without narrating much more on the subject we are coming sharply with the historical background of our institution. In 1872 at Baranagar, first modern jutemill was set up and 1899 CESC was set up.

Kamarhati Municipality though came into its existence in 1899 but was within the north Subarbun Municipalities. The area was mainly Ariadaha, Kamarhati, Bonhooghly, Dakshineswar, Baranagar, Belghoria, Palpara, Nowpara, Basudevpur, Nainan, Nija Nainan, Nain (east) and Nija Smriti. In 1881-1882 the North Subarban Municipality renamed as Baranagar Municipality. And after 17 years the Kamarhati separated from Baranagar. Kamarhati Municipality’s separated existence was demanded mainly by owner of Kamarhati Jute mill alongwith other some respected and influential members of the then nominated councilors and Ariadaha, Kamarhati, Dakshineswar and Belghoria being included in Kamarhati Municipality by gazette notification.

Major municipalities of Bengal and afterwards West Bengal witnessed slow, natural and unplanned development without having active intervention of Government or any other authorities even decades before independence and after, no urban planning ever been thought of though political scenario compelled to extend the autonomy to the civic by promalgamiting new Legislegence. Another feature clearly noticed some pick and choose plan programmer intiated and implemented in different municipality time to time. One of the such programme in 1939 Baranagar and Kamarhati people witnessed that it potable water project and that event expedite the process the Urban Development no doubt.

After independence the subject got no attention of political leaders and they forgot to deal with the subject at the time of framing out of Indian Constitution. Partition of Bengal and with the consequent effect of influx of population of East Pakistan now known as Bangladesh rapidly changed the scenario of urban towns especially those are closed to Kolkata. Our town faced unprecedented unplanned growth of settlement on low-lying areas post challenges to the town development process. Without taking care of the situation the government and the Urban Authority silently observed the situation without taking proper initiation in regard to unauthorized settlement and the civic services to those who have no other alternative but to take shelter as situation demanded.

Development of decentralization: 19332 Act- 1977 left front government – KMDA- CUDP III.

2. Administrative boundaries:

As per gazette notification of 1st. August, 1899 Administrative boundaries was in west Hooghly River, in north- Border of Panihati Municipality, in east- border of North Dum Dum Municipality and in south- border of Baranagar Municipality.
 

3. Linkage:

Our town is very nearer to proper Kolkata. The main road is B.T. Road which linking Kolkata as one and major road. Rail linkage surrounded the south and the east by three railway stations. They are Dakshineswar, Baranagar and Belghoria. The main railway line of Eastern Railway passes through our area linking northern and the western area of West Bengal. And by C.C.R. line it is also linked with other part of west Bengal and even with Northern India etc. Ear based not far from our town. Netaji Subhas International Air port majorly known as Dum Dum Airport only 9 k.m. from our town. Recently it linked with railway line through Dum Dum Cantonment. River Hooghly is one of the major connecting way which is directly linking Hooghly and to other parts.
 

4. Economic Activities:

With the Establishment of Jute Industries by the side of Ganges the Barrack pore sub-division was a region known as industrial sub-division. Our town also witnessed major economic establishment such as engineering, ceramics, textiles and match industries apart from jute industries. We are sighting some of the major industrial concern, which has marked as notable industries not only in our state but also internationally famed. Some of those factories are Texaco- Textiles and wagon industries, Wimco match factories, Bengal porcelain now closed, Mohini Mill-textiles (now closed). It should be recorded that with the space of time and modernization some of the major industries has already been closed side-by-side new economic activities also grown up. Such as bag industries, pen industries, handloom and fisheries wherein peoples are involved and earn their livelihood. Small economic activities also grown up by taking government sponsored loans and through self help group.
 

5. Demographic growth:

Population profile: Kamarhati Municipality is one of the densely populated municipalities among the 38 municipalities of CMA. According to 2011 census the total population of this municipality is: 

6. Places of interest:

We are proud to record that internationally famed Dakshineswar temple is situated within our munipal area. Where Ramkrishna Praamahangsha and Vivekananda got fame through meditation from here. This temple is place of visit and in Dakshineswar area we will found Sarada Devi temple, Jogada Satsangh, Adyapith- famous places of pilgrims.
 

7. Water:

If we look back then it would be evident that potable water which is one of the most desiderandum for survival of human being was beyond dream even in Kolkata till 1869. Potable water in our town taken over in the 1939 by installation of B.K.Joint Water Works for area to be served at Baranagar and Kamarhati Municipality. At the ratio of share 5/8th. and 3/8th. respectively. From the above information it would be well assessed that by installation of that water project the people of both the areas not assured of safe water all over the areas rather the water project prepared on the basis of population at that time or little more. The water pipe line laid to cover the population to be served safe water.

With the change of political scenario influx of huge population over the area due to partition of Bengal and mostly the low-lying area covered by the refugees. Thereby the supply whichever was became miserable, as the capacity was only 1.20 lakhs galon per day. Naturally, for supplying the water to the populist municipality had to planned by installation of deep tube well. In the year 1956 our municipality take up the programmer of installation of deep tube well to cope with the problems. Our municipality approached the P.H.E. to take up the augmentation scheme and after long period P.H.E. augmented scheme came into operation perhaps in the year 1981. But that to could not match the demand of supply thereby government had to take up a project with the World Bank to supply safe water to the six municipalities with the capacity of 30 mgd. at Kamarhati. Under IDA II the KMDA executed a project of water supply before 30 mgd. installation and in operation by laying pipeline and installation of several deep tubewells to cater the water supply for entire population of the area. But that to could not able to fulfil the required water supply for the inhabitants. Taking that problems the municipality had no other alternatives but to maintain the supply installed new deeptubewell or installation inhabitant for defunct of old tubewells. If we take the present stock then we will see that with the above safe water projects which is in operation the municipality running 26 deeptubewells to supply water and to maintain the minimum pressure. Demand of potable water gradually increasing and we know that water supply problem can be permanently solved if we can supply safe potable water to the consumer.

We are glad to state that recently KMPC approved a project of 40 mgd. at the site of 30 mgd. at Kamarhati to cover the area Kmarhati, Baranagar, North Dum Dum, Panihati, Khardah and Titagarh. With the ending view to increase the source and to cover all the areas of six municipalities by installations of separate trunk main line to cater the water as per norms.

In conclusion, we must submit that though we are not able to supply the potable water to every consumer yet by adding deep tubewell etc. we have been able to almost cover all the corners though the pressure problems cannot be denied. We hope that if 40 mgd. water supply project executed then in near future municipalities would be able to serve potable waters to the each and every persons at a minimum norms. We thrust upon that project soon be taken up by the proper Authority and will be completed during the period of our DDP planning.

Last but not least taking all the problems and the solutions our DDP concentrated on the water problems for the time being by replacing the defunct deep tube wells and replacing of pipe-lines wherever necessary to cater the waters to our people.