IAS officer R. Vimala takes charge as Siliguri Municipal Corporation administrator
Synopsis
Three days after TMC's Gautam Deb quit as Siliguri Mayor and the municipal board was dissolved, the West Bengal government has installed IAS officer R. Vimala — Principal Secretary, North Bengal Development — as SMC administrator for six months. Her immediate battle: a city knee-deep in monsoon waterlogging with a fractured civic structure beneath her.
Key Takeaways
Vimala , Principal Secretary of the North Bengal Development department, took charge as Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) administrator on Tuesday, 23 June .
Her appointment follows the resignation of TMC leader Gautam Deb as Siliguri Mayor, which led to the dissolution of the elected municipal board.
The West Bengal government deputed her on Monday evening , within three days of Deb's exit, for a six-month tenure .
Her immediate priority is tackling severe waterlogging and drainage failures across Siliguri amid continuous monsoon rains.
BJP Leader of Opposition Amit Jain paid a courtesy call and expressed hope for cooperation on roads, water storage, and drainage.
The board of administrators will reportedly consult all councillors and public representatives, including former Mayor Deb.
IAS officer R. Vimala officially assumed charge as administrator of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Tuesday, 23 June, stepping in after the dissolution of the civic body's elected municipal board in north Bengal. She arrived at the SMC office on Tuesday afternoon and commenced administrative duties with immediate effect.
Background: Why an Administrator Was Needed
The administrative transition was triggered by the resignation of veteran All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Gautam Deb as Siliguri Mayor, which led to the dissolution of the municipal board. The West Bengal government moved swiftly, deputing R. Vimala on Monday evening — within three days of Deb's exit — to ensure uninterrupted civic services.
R. Vimala, who serves as Principal Secretary of the North Bengal Development department, has been appointed for a six-month tenure.
First Priorities: Waterlogging and Civic Services
Addressing the media immediately after taking charge, R. Vimala outlined her immediate focus. 'Our first goal will be to ensure that civic services are not disrupted in any way,' she said.
The most pressing challenge facing the new administrator is the severe waterlogging affecting multiple wards and neighbourhoods across Siliguri due to continuous monsoon rains. She confirmed that she had already convened a meeting with officials of the relevant departments to assess the current monsoon situation, with discussions centred on drainage system failures across the city. Urgent remedial measures are reportedly being planned.
Warm Reception at SMC Office
On her arrival at the municipal corporation, SMC Commissioner Ashwini Roy welcomed R. Vimala with flowers. A delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Amit Jain, Leader of the Opposition in the SMC, also paid a courtesy call on the new administrator.
Jain said: 'I went to pay a courtesy call on the administrator madam. We had a detailed discussion on the current situation of the city and talked about important issues like water storage, roads and drainage system. She is an experienced administrator. We hope that we will get her cooperation in the development of the city in the coming days.'
What Happens Next
According to sources, the board of administrators will work in consultation with all public representatives and councillors of Siliguri, including former Mayor Gautam Deb. The administration's stated goal is to resolve pending civic issues swiftly and accelerate stalled development projects during the six-month tenure. The appointment underscores the state government's intent to maintain administrative continuity at the SMC until fresh electoral arrangements are made.
Point of View
The BJP's Opposition leader was among the first to call on the new administrator, a gesture that suggests both sides see practical value in cooperation during the interregnum. The real test, however, is not political optics but execution: Siliguri's chronic waterlogging and drainage woes predate this crisis and have persisted through multiple elected boards. Whether an administrator with a fixed six-month mandate can move faster than an elected body with vested interests remains an open question.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was R. Vimala appointed as Siliguri Municipal Corporation administrator?
R. Vimala was appointed because the SMC's elected municipal board was dissolved following the resignation of Mayor Gautam Deb of the TMC. The West Bengal government deputed her as administrator to ensure uninterrupted civic services during the transition period.
How long is R. Vimala's tenure as SMC administrator?
Her appointment is for a six-month tenure, effective from Tuesday, 23 June. During this period, she will oversee civic administration in Siliguri in place of the dissolved elected board.
What are R. Vimala's immediate priorities as SMC administrator?
Her stated first priority is ensuring civic services remain uninterrupted. She has also flagged waterlogging and drainage system failures across Siliguri as urgent challenges requiring immediate remedial action, and has already held a meeting with concerned department officials on the monsoon situation.
Who is R. Vimala and what is her background?
R. Vimala is an IAS officer serving as Principal Secretary of the North Bengal Development department in West Bengal. She took charge of the SMC on 23 June following the state government's order issued the previous evening.
What led to Gautam Deb's resignation as Siliguri Mayor?
The source does not specify the reasons behind Gautam Deb's resignation. His departure as mayor triggered the dissolution of the SMC's municipal board, prompting the West Bengal government to appoint an administrator within three days.
