The office of Urban Development Department is located in the heart of Gangtok town opposite STNM Hospital. The building with traditional entrance gate has a clock tower, the only kind of the structure in the state. Manned by the dedicated officers and staff the UD&HD has multifarious functions. The urban areas prior to Sikkim became the 22nd state of India was looked after by Bazaar Department and after the merger, Gangtok Municipal Corporation Act was enacted. The GMC was abolished under the Sikkim (Repeal and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1985and its power and functions were reverted to Local Self Government. Vide Notification No.7 (17)/Home dated 28th July1990, the Local Self Government was renamed as Urban Development and Housing Department.