About Us

The history of SSPA dates back to the 1850s when Bolpur, the core of SSPA, was a small village. Sahibgunj Loop Line of Eastern Railway was proposed in 1859 which was the main impetus for the development of Bolpur and the area around it.

Later, in 1862, Santiniketan, a place near Bolpur, which was previously called Bhubandanga named after Bhuban Sinha, was given to Rabindranath’s father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, who found it very peaceful and renamed it Shantiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize in 1913, the school was expanded into a university in 1921. By 1951, it had become one of India’s central universities and became internationally famous over the time.

The importance of the place led to establishment of SSPA under SSDA, an autonomous body under the West Bengal Town & Country (Planning & Development) Act, 1979 in the year 1989 to regulate the unplanned development activities happening in the region.

SSPA has various important features which make it a unique place. The important features of SSPA include heritage precincts within Visva Bharati, Khoai, which is a rare geological phenomenon, Ballavpur wildlife sanctuary, Baul Singers, Traditional Crafts like Kantha stitch, woodwork, leather work, etc; Santhal villages; Laha Bandh, Bada Bandh etc. The planning area is bounded by Rivers Kopai and Ajay on the Northern and Southern sides respectively. Benuria Canal, which runs in the northern portion of SSPA, is very important for the region from an agricultural point of view as well as aesthetics as it enhances and adds charm to the environment in and around Khoai.

Basic Details

The SSPA comprises of 44 mouzas under the jurisdiction of Bolpur Police Station. The total area of planning area is 106.43 Sq. Km. The local bodies falling within SSPA area includes Bolpur Municipality, Ruppur GP, Raipur Supur GP, Shian Muluk GP and Kankalitala GP .Visva Bharati is a Central Government Organization and lies within SSPA area.

Bolpur Municipality

Bolpur Municipality is the urban core of SSPA administered by Bolpur Municipality urban local body. It consists of four mouzas; two mouzas Bolpur & Bandhgora in part and two mouzas Kalikapur and Makrampur in complete. It has been divided into 19 wards. Earlier it was divided into 18 wards and has been recently delineated into 19 wards.

Ruppur Gram Panchayat

Ruppur Gram Panchayat lies on North West side of Bolpur Municipality. The GP has in total 16 mouzas out of which 9 mouzas namely; Benuria, Ballavpur, Kabi Mohanpur, Goalpara, Bayradihi, Shyambati, Madhusudanpur, Taltore, Surul; fall within SSPA boundary

Raipur Supur Gram Panchayat

Raipur Supur Gram Panchayat lies on South West side of Bolpur Municipality. The GP has in total 18 mouzas and remaining portions of Bolpur and Bandhgoa mouza, out of these 15 mouzas namely; Dakshin Chandipur, Shibpur, Uttar Radhanagar, Mahidapur, Raipur, Chandanpur, Udaipur, Ramchandrapur, Supur, Rusulganjahut, Nurpur, Purba Bahadurpur, Rajatpur, Gheropara, Dakshin Narayanpur; and portions of Bolpur and Bandhgoa mouza fall within SSPA boundary. The total area of these 15 mouzas in complete and 2 mouzas in part taken together is 24.85 Sq. Km.

Shian Muluk Gram Panchayat

Shian Muluk Gram Panchayat lies on South East side of Bolpur Municipality. The GP has in total 18 mouzas out of which 12 mouzas namely; Mahuli, Muluk, Gayeshpur, Tatarpur, Araji Muluk, Gobindapur, Bhatura, Dwarkanathpur, Shian, Purba Islampur, Durgapur, Gitgram; fall within SSPA boundary. The total area of these 12 mouzas taken together is 25.16 Sq. Km.

Kankalitala Gram Panchayat

Kankalitala Gram Panchayat lies on North East side of Bolpur Municipality. The GP has in total 23 mouzas out of which 4 mouzas namely; Adityapur, Khosh Kadambapur, Uttar Narayanpur, Layak Bazar; fall within SSPA boundary. The total area of these 4 mouzas taken together is 13.24 Sq.Km.

Visva Bharati

Visva Bharati is an autonomous body falling within SSPA, the administrative matter for which is looked after by Visva Bharati Authority and Estate Office. The total area of Visva Bharati Campus is 4.70 Sq.Km.