[5] The aim of establishing this centre was to conduct research related to cholera and other enteric diseases.

In 1980 the institute received the World Health Organization's recognition as "WHO Collaborative Centre for Research and Training on Diarrhoeal Diseases".

According to a news article published in The New Indian Express in April 2020, the scientists were working round the clock in shifts.

[6] In 2022 the institute planned open to a rural health research unit in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

In 1968 the institute was given the status of "International Reference Centre for Vibrio Phage Typing" by the World Health Organization (WHO).