Kolkata, Aug. 17 -- The final report on the proposed delimitation of Kolkata's municipal wards could pave the way for the creation of 123 new wards through the disintegration of 58 existing wards, with the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department now examining objections and suggestions received during the public consultation.
The exercise, which will increase the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's wards from 144 to 209, is now moving towards its final stage. Officials said the representations received on the preparatory draft will be scrutinised before the revised Schedule II of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act is finalised.
According to the proposed restructuring, 58 of the existing wards will be split into 123 new wards. The remaining 86 existing wards will not be directly split, but their boundaries, area and serial numbers are also likely to change as part of the overall redrawing of the civic map.
The final report is expected to provide a clearer picture of how the existing wards will be broken up and how their areas will be distributed among the proposed new wards. It will also settle the new serial numbers and the territorial composition of the wards.
The delimitation has primarily been undertaken based on voter strength, with the civic administration seeking to reduce disparities between wards with significantly different electorates.
Officials believe smaller and more evenly populated wards could also make the delivery of civic services more manageable.
The next step will depend on the state government's scrutiny of the representations and completion of the statutory process for increasing the number of wards. The amendment to the KMC Act is awaiting the Governor's assent.
Once the process is complete, the final Schedule II will establish the territorial framework of the 209 wards. The new map will also have a direct bearing on the composition of wards for the next civic elections.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.