Experiences in Kolkata

[Somnath Kumar]

Hi All,

I just thought I would write about my experiences in Kolkata during my
recent visit.

I had been in Kolkata from Feb to mid-March this year. I was also
lucky to attend a real-estate fair called Realty Expo organised by
CREDAI Bengal (an association of organised real-estate developers).
The high and mighty of the West Bengal govt as well as the mayor of
Kolkata was associated with the event which says that it was just not
another run-of-the-mill exhibitions. The fair was impressive with
large well-lit airconditioned halls and slick displays by various
developers. The fair brought out the numerous real-estate players
operating in Kolkata and surprisingly there was no stall by DLF or
Unitech. The fair also brought out the fact that there are a lot of
new projects with all amenities coming up within the city itself.

When I first heard of two projects coming up near Sealdah station, my
first question was, where is the space? Isn't that area supposed to be
full? But when I saw it for myself, I believed it. Same goes for
projects near Ultadanga station, near Don Bosco school in Park Circus,
near Science city, near Salt Lake stadium etc. The surroundings
outside these projects might not be impressive, but inside, they would
look like any of the 'large projects on the outskirts'.

I also made a trip to Rajarhat with my friend on his bike. The area
looks the same as last year (and for that matter the last 3 years).
The projects that had started have progressed some more. Even the
hoarding for the Kolkata IT Convention centre is rusting with no sign
of the actual building. In the Uniworld city, there is work going on
but I did not see a single building with all its walls plastered leave
alone painted. Maybe I did not look properly, but this is the picture
I still have in my mind. The surroundings anyway are desolate and
because it is off the Rajarhat arterial road, it doesn't see too many
vehicles as well. I still wonder how they will give possession. Even
if people move in now, they would be greeted by sights of construction
activity (on one side of Unitech and the other side of Rosedale).

DLF project currently exists only on paper. They were not there in the
exhibition and neither could I find their site in Rajarhat (which was
supposed to be somewhere just beyond Unitech).

I have realised a few things during my stay this year. The story that
Kolkata city is congested with every inch occupied and that any new
development will happen only on the outskirts is a myth. Kolkata is
like an animal shedding its skin. Old buildings and shops are being
razed and new ones taking its place. Defunct cinemas make way for
shopping complexes. Old offices with large open areas becoming
residential projects. And I don't have to tell you that there are lots
of old buildings in Kolkata that are not classified as 'Heritage'.

Regards,
Somnath.