It is the headquarters of Jalpaiguri district, and the divisional headquarters of the North Bengal region. The name of the city Jalpaiguri actually comes from the Bhutanese term je-le-pe-gu-ri meaning a place where warm clothes are traded, suggesting a trading center. Another suggestion is that it is from the word Jalpai meaning olive, and Guri meaning place. With time, Jalpaiguri emerged as the m
ost important city next to Siliguri in North Bengal. The city lies on the banks of the Teesta river which is the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganges.A mass flood in 1968 nearly flattened out the city and huge spurs had to be built and the river diverted to some km. outside the city to avoid the same carnage as it caused. Other than the Teesta, the Karala river, nicknamed the "Thames of Jalpaiguri", flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two halves.The city lies on the banks of the Teesta river which is the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganges.A mass flood in 1968 nearly flattened out the city and huge spurs had to be built and the river diverted to some km. Other than the Teesta, the Karala river, nicknamed the "Thames of Jalpaiguri", flows through the city thereby bisecting it into two halves. Lying just 42 kilometres away from Siliguri, it is the Twin city to Siliguri. Jalpaiguri is the largest city and is presently the headquarters of the Jalpaiguri District and also the headquarters of the Jalpaiguri Division, comprising all districts of North Bengal. Administration is the responsibility of the Jalpaiguri city Municipality, the 5th oldest in West Bengal after that of Kolkata, Howrah, Berhampore and Burdwan. Setup in 1885, it is headed by a Chairman who is elected by the all residents of the City. It has quite about 40 wards, from where the councilors are elected. Jalpaiguri railway station and Jalpaiguri Road railway station are the railway stations of Jalpaiguri. The New Jalpaiguri Railway Station lying just 38 km. from the city which is the largest station in North Bengal & the 3rd in the North-East after Guwahati and Dibrugarh, is shared by Jalpaiguri along with Siliguri. Jalpaiguri has gradually developed as a profitable center for a variety of businesses. As a central hub, many national companies and organizations have set up their offices here. Main shopping centres lie at Rupasree Mall, Kadamtala, Merchant Road, D.B.C. Road, Kamarpara, Hospital Road, Raikatpara, Hakimpara, Dinbazaar, Club Road, Race Course, Ashram Para, Shanti Para, Beguntary, Shilpasamiti Para, Deshbandhu Circle, etc.
