English Bazaar Overcomes Water Woes With Smart Makeover

Not too long ago, residents of English Bazaar town in Malda would brace themselves whenever dark clouds gathered overhead.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MALDA, 21 JULY

Even a short spell of rain meant flooded streets, stranded vehicles, and waterlogged homes. But today, that reality has changed—and changed remarkably.

Thanks to significant improvements in the town's drainage system, waterlogging is no longer a routine concern. While occasional heavy downpours still cause water accumulation in a few low-lying areas, the water now drains swiftly into the Mahananda river, restoring normalcy within hours. The man widely credited for this transformation is Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, the current chairman of English Bazaar Municipality.

With decades of administrative experience and deep political insight, Choudhury has emerged as a key figure in reshaping urban infrastructure in Malda. His repeated appointments as chairman—in 1995, 2000, 2010, 2015, and again from 2022—have enabled him to lead with continuity and vision.