Kolkata of 2007

A city’s growth never ceases. The pangs of growing however diminish as time passes, as the metropolis settles down to organized way of living and moving about. This is singularly untrue about Kolkata, where the only constant is chaos and utter callousness.

I’ve come across many writings and personal interactions, and I’ve found that many visitors do not feel welcome when they land here. They experience such a dramatic change in perception that they feel they ought to have rather avoided Kolkata.

I’ve narrated several such outpourings in my posts, the latest, A visitor’s account of Kolkata, is a poignant reminder of how unbecoming Kolkata appears to others.

What is unfortunate is the powers-that-be that occupies chairs of governance is blissfully ignorant – rather arrogantly dismissive – of this grim reality. The know-all whims of politicians and their cohorts rule the roost instead of well-meaning concerted efforts to improve the standard of living in the city.

Yet, the city moves, because it has to. The city moves because it is lived in by millions of dwellers preferred by choice or by circumstances that leave no option. For them, the toiling masses, here are bits and pieces of good happenings that may be expected in the city this year.

Road

• The AJC Bose Road flyover will have two vital exit ramps, one of which in Beckbagan.
  
  
• Work is expected to start on the Dunlop Interchange (to ease flow of traffic from new Vivekananda Bridge), the Vivekananda Road flyover from Girish Park all the way to Howrah Bridge, and the 2-tier flyover from Park Circus intersection to Parama Island on EM Bypass.
  
  
• The Prince Anwar Shah Road connector, from Jadavpur police station to EM Bypass, is likely to be opened before Bengali New Year.
  
  
• Chingrighata to Nicco Park, all of 800 meters, will be widened to accommodate more traffic.
  
  
• The main arterial 10.5 km New Town is being re-laid to ensure journey smooth as silk. Time: 9 to 11 months.
  
  
• EM Bypass will extend by 11 km from Garia to Sonarpur, and then by another 7 km to Baruipur.

Airport

• If 2006 has seen Lufthansa and Emirates touching base in Kolkata taking the place of JetStar Asia and Malaysia Airline, this year may see Air China, Ithiad Airways, Qatar Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airline arriving to Kolkata. Of course, others already here will increase their frequency and perhaps add more destinations. Who knows, even Italy’s Alitalia may come calling soon if Italy PM’s assurances in his recent Kolkata trip are any indication.
  
  
• A new international terminal building is likely to start at a cost of Rs.225 crore. A new cargo complex will become operational. The new terminal building will have 2-level operations for arrival and departure along with separate car parking facility.

Malls

• A poila boisakh inauguration of South City Mall on Prince Anwar Shah Road is on the anvil. Armed with 4 anchor stores and a 6-screen multiplex, this 600,000 sq ft mall promises to be the most happening destination even in upmarket Jodhpur Park area.
  
  
• Another poila boisakh debut will be that of 602,000 sq ft Mani Square Mall on EM Bypass with the same format as South City Mall’s.
  
  
• 200,000 sq ft Lake Mall will be ready soon at the place where erstwhile dingy-looking Lake Market stood.
  
  
• Bengal Ambuja’s City Center II at New Town is also set to open before Puja, while Pantaloons will have its country’s largest showroom at Kankurgachi in addition to a big one at South City Mall.
  
  
• Work has already commenced at rebuilding of College Street market, where yet another large format mall, christened ‘Barnaparichay’ (see my post, Barnaparichay – The Mall), will rear its nice-looking aesthetic head in a year’s time.

This post is sourced from this Jan 1 TT story.


Technorati Tags: kolkata, calcutta