Bandel

Bandel is a town and municipality in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it forms part of the Kolkata metropolitan area and serves as a junction in the suburban rail network. Bandel is best known for the Bandel Church, also called St. Mary’s Church, which was established by Portuguese missionaries in 1599 and remains one of the oldest churches in Bengal. The church and the surrounding neighborhood have historically given Bandel its presence as a religious and cultural hub.

During the Portuguese era, Bandel developed as a settlement serving maritime and missionary activities along the Hooghly River. The town later grew with the arrival of the railway, with Bandel Junction becoming an important rail link for the region, connecting Kolkata with northern districts and beyond.

As of recent decades, Bandel functions as a residential and commercial area within the Hooghly district, with local markets, educational institutions, and religious centers. The population comprises Bengali-speaking communities and others, with Bengali and English widely used in public life.

Rail connectivity is based on Bandel Junction on the Howrah–Bardhaman Main Line, with frequent services to Howrah, Kolkata, and beyond. Road links connect Bandel with surrounding towns and rural areas.