Agartala Municipal Corporation

Agartala Municipal Corporation

Logo of the Agartala Municipal Council
Motto (Bengali)
Formation 1871[1]
Type Municipal
Headquarters Agartala
Official language
 Bengali, English
Dr. Prafulla Jit Sinha[2]
Key people
 Dr. Milind Ramteke, IAS
Website agartalacity.tripura.gov.in

The Agartala Municipal Corporation or AMC (Bengali: আগরতলা পৌরসংস্থা) is the municipal body which governs and maintains the city of Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura and is the second-largest city in North-east India. Formed in the year 1871 the oldest municipal body in Northeast India, AMC had a vital role in developing & modernizing the state and managing in its various activities. This civic administrative body administers an area of 76.5 km2. AMC is headed by Dr. Prafulla Jit Sinha the present Mayor of Agartala.

History

The Capital Agartala (new) was founded in 1838 AD by Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya (1830-49 AD) of Tripura State.

The Agartala Municipality was instituted in 1871 AD during the reign of Maharaja Chandra Manikya (1862-96 AD). The first British Political Agent appointed for Tipprah in 1871 AD, Mr. A.W.B. Power, was offered the honour of being the Chairman of the Agartala Municipality. The municipality is located at the crossing of Latitude N 23 –50` and Longitude E 91-17`, covering 3 km² during that period. The Municipal Administration in Agartala was established in 1874 A.D and the city became a planned city by the then Maharaja Bir Bikra Manikya Bahadur in 1940s.This erstwhile Princely State Capital of Tripura merged with India on 15 October 1949.[3]

Present

The Municipal Corporation consists of councillors elected by the residents of the city. The city is divided into municipal wards and each ward elects a councillor to the Council.

The current majority of AMC belongs to the Left Front.[4]

The municipal area was 16.012 km² with a population of 1,89,329 at the 2001 census. The Urban Development Department Notification No.F.2(2)–UDD /2003 dated July 2, 2004 the Agartala Municipal Council has further been extended taking 16 No. of Grams of Dukli R.D.Block, 7 No. of Grams of Mohanpur R.D. Block and 2 No. of Grams of Jirania R.D. Block with an area of 42.83 square kilometers and a population of 178,495.[5] The present municipal building is located near the City center of Agartala location namely Paradise Chowhamani.

Year Population Area
1961 54,878 3 square miles (8 km2)
1971 100,264 3 square miles (8 km2)
1981 132,186 10.94 km2
1991 157,358 15.81 km2
2001 188,540 16.02 km2
2004 367,822 58.84 km2
2011 399,688 58.84 km2 (Greater Agartala Planning Area: 512,264 and 92 km2)

An estimated value of the population of Agartala in each decades as shown here from 1961 along with its size in area.

Location of the city

Agartala, the capital of Tripura, is situated along 23° 45'- 23° 55' N latitude and 91°15'- 91°20' E longitude, in the flood plains of the Haora River. Historically, the city has been an important border-trading town with trading linkages with Bangladesh. NF railway & the National Highway (NH)-44 connects Agartala with Silchar, Guwahati and other parts of the country. Agartala is too connected by air with Guwahati & Kolkata and most of the prominent fliers like IA, Jet, Indigo, Air Deccan, King fisher etc. having regular services.[6]

The climate of Agartala is of tropical monsoon type. The average annual rainfall is around 220 centimeters (cm). The average no of rainy days is 100 days. The temperature varies from 4.2°C to 37.6° on the average. The winter period is from November to February, summer is from March to May and monsoon is from June to September. It has a moderate temperature and highly humid atmosphere. Winds, which are of moderate velocity, are from the south-to-south - east direction for most of the time. Average velocity of wind varies from 4 km to 9 km per hour.[7]

Evolution of Agartala city

1838: Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya set up the 'Old Haveli' at the other side of the river Howrah .[8] The area used to be identified up to Kunjaban tilla at the north Jagaharimura and Rashman tilla to the south,the British India at the west and the river Howrah at the east. Due to frequent invasion of the Kukis and also to keep easy communication with the British Bengal, the Maharaja started the process of shifting of the Capital from Old Haveli to New Haveli (present Agartala) in the year 1849 A.D. The next Maharaja Iswar Chandra Manikya on assuming throne on 1 February 1850 A.D constructed a Palace thereon.[9]

1862: Bir Chandra Manikya started the urbanization of the New Haveli (Agartala)

1871: The Agartala Municipality was established within area of 3 sq. miles[10] having population 875 only by a royal proclamation. Mr. A.W.S. Power, the 1st British Political Agent for Tipperch was appointed as the Chairman of the Agartala Municipality in the year 1872 A.D. As suggested by the 2nd Political Agent Capt. W.L. Samwell, Maharaja becomes the President of the Municipal Committee. And on behalf of the Maharaja Bir Chandra manikya, Prince Radhakishore took an active role in supervising the Municipal works.

1874: Municipal regulations were introduced with provision of taxation. The main source of income was from water tax levied on tanks and water bodies, realised fine amount of judiciary and state grant. The main task was to look after the development and maintenance of roads /paths.,drainage, bridges and markets and sanitation. During the period, the Akhaura Khal was excavated for drainage.

1897: Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya re-organised the entire administration and the officer-in-charge of the Political Department was entrusted with the Municipal affairs. During the period,. The work of Census, birth and death registration, regular sweeping and cleaning of roads and drains used to be mades

1978: Agartala Municipality was divided into 10 wards for the purpose of election of commissioners for the municipality by enlarging the municipal area to 10.94 km2. The second general municipal election was held in June 1978, Shri Amal Dasgupta was elected chairman of the 10 members elected municipal board. The municipality was further extended to an area of 15.81 sq.k.m and was divided into 13 wards. The 3rd general municipal election was held in July 1983.

1988 to 1996: The municipality was placed under government nominated administrator. 26 October 1994: The Tripura Municipal Act.1994 was passed as per 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, The 4th general Municipal election was held in December, 1995, and municipal council of 17 elected members and 3 nominated members was formed. After the 5th general municipal election held in the month of December 2000 another municipal council with 17 elected members and 3 nominated members came to power. The municipal area was 16.012 sq. k.m. with population of 1,89,998 as per 2001 census.

2004: The Agartala Municipal Council has further been extended from 16.012 km2 to 62.02 km2 in 2004 with a population of 368493 persons. The total GAPA area covers 92 km2.[11]

2014: Agartala Municipal council turns in Municipal Corporation

References

  1. ↑ http://agartalacity.tripura.gov.in/at_glance.htm
  2. ↑ agartalacity.tripura.gov.in/
  3. ↑ http://agartalacity.tripura.gov.in/
  4. ↑ http://agartalacity.tripura.gov.in/PDF/Budget_2012.pdf
  5. ↑ agartala info
  6. ↑ Agartala
  7. ↑ agartala weather
  8. ↑ rajmala epic
  9. ↑ history of agartala
  10. ↑ agatala wiki
  11. ↑ Agartala/Demographics

External links

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