Forest officials said the jumbo entered Siliguri from near by Baikanthapur forest range.
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As the frightened elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes, crowds of people gathered to watch from balconies and roof tops.
An elephant which had strayed from nearby Baikunthapur forest to Siliguri town went on a rampage for around seven hours damaging over 50 houses and some vehicles before it was tranquilised.
Attacks by elephants have been on the rise in eastern India.
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Human encroachment and degradation of forests have led to increased encounters between people and elephants in West Bengal as well as neighbouring states in recent years.
The animal was taken to a park where domesticated elephants are kept and officials have said they hope to return it to the wild.
The elephant was first spotted at Dabgram, Fulbari areas within ward numbers 30 and 40 of Siliguri town which falls within the limits of Jalpaiguri district.
Forest personnel rushed to the spot and fired tranquiliser shots at the jumbo, but for a long time the elephant was still not under control.
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India’s elephants are also threatened by speeding trains and illegal poachers looking for ivory to sell on the black market.
