KOLKATA
Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist and trade union movements.
Kolkata , is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Kolkata is the cultural capital of India and the commercial capital of Eastern India. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the Hooghly River. The Kolkata metropolitan area including suburbs has a population exceeding 15 million, making it the third most populous metropolitan area in India and one of the most populous urban areas in the world. The city is also classified as the eighth largest urban agglomeration in the world.
Kolkata served as the capital of India during the British Raj until 1911. Once the centre of modern education, science, culture and politics in India, Kolkata witnessedeconomic stagnation in the years following India's independence in 1947. However, since the year 2010, an economic rejuvenation has led to a spurt in the city's growth. Like other metropolitan cities of India, Kolkata continues to struggle with urbanisation problems like poverty, pollution and traffic congestion.Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist andtrade union movements.
The name Kolkata and the anglicised name Calcutta have their roots in Kalikata, the name of one of the three villages (Kalikata, Sutanuti, Govindapur) in the area before the arrival of the British. "Kalikata", in turn, is believed to be a version of Kalikshetra . Alternatively, the name may have been derived from the Bengali term kilkila ("flat area"). Again, the name may have its origin in the indigenous term for a natural canal, Khal, followed by Katta (which may mean dug). Another theory is that the place used to specialize in quicklime (kalicun) and coir rope and hence the place was called Kalikátá.
While the city's name was always pronounced "Kolkata" or "Kolikata" in the local Bengali language, its official English name was changed from "Calcutta" to "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation. Some view this as a move to erase the legacy of British rule.
TRANSPORT
Kolkata's Metro system is fantastic! It may not cover a huge amount of the city, but it's cheap and easy to use for the places it does go to. We travelled from the Park Street station to Kalighat for, I think, 4 rupees, and didn't have any problems with working out what to do or what platform to be on. Very useful indeed, and we got to do a lot of people watching too!
Rickshaws are human-powered transport the where runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats two persons. Some cities have forbidden rickshaws due to many traffic accidents. But it is still legal in Kolkata. Kolkata has the longest tradition in india with rickshaws. Other places have replaced it by bicycle rickshaws.
Good new for visitors coming from abroad or other parts of India to the city of Kolkata. The Govt. of West Bengal have at last achieved something but not on their own. They had to be whipped by Calcutta High Court in August last year ( 2009). First, they had to scrap all buses and auto rickshaws which are more than 15 years old. Second, all auto rickshaws have to run on green fuel i.e. LPG ( Liquified Petroleum Gas) or CNG( Compressed Natural Gas). Third they will have to bring 1200 Green Buses for the city , which are of international standard used for both standing and sitting. Fourth, they have to introduce Air Conditioned Volvo buses for the passengers from Airport to the city.
So now they have at least introduced 39 Airconditioned Volvo buses from the airport to the city at a very affordable cost. A journey of 36 KMs from Dumdum Airport to Tollygunj will cost Rs.60/- only or USD$ 1.3!. It will take you from various points of the city, you can get down at the place of your choice. It has GPS, announcement system, luggage carrier, excellent seat and standing system. These buses are used in 40 developed countries of the world as city transport from airport.
So now they have at least introduced 39 Airconditioned Volvo buses from the airport to the city at a very affordable cost. A journey of 36 KMs from Dumdum Airport to Tollygunj will cost Rs.60/- only or USD$ 1.3!. It will take you from various points of the city, you can get down at the place of your choice. It has GPS, announcement system, luggage carrier, excellent seat and standing system. These buses are used in 40 developed countries of the world as city transport from airport.
RAILWAY
Kolkata is well-connected to the rest of India by extensive railway network of the Indian railways. Two divisions of the Indian railways - the Eastern Railwayand the South Eastern Railway are headquartered in the city. The two major railway stations of the city are at Howrah and Sealdah. A third terminal called Kolkata has recently been constructed. This station is in North Kolkata and can be reached by a road opposite to the RG Kar Medical College just beyondShyambazar.
Kolkata is well-connected to the rest of India by extensive railway network of the Indian railways. Two divisions of the Indian railways - the Eastern Railwayand the South Eastern Railway are headquartered in the city. The two major railway stations of the city are at Howrah and Sealdah. A third terminal called Kolkata has recently been constructed. This station is in North Kolkata and can be reached by a road opposite to the RG Kar Medical College just beyondShyambazar.
The electrified suburban rail network of the SER and the ER is extensive and stretches far into the neighbouring districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly etc.
The Circular Rail encircles the entire city of Kolkata, and is at present being extended. A new railway line off-shoot is under construction that would connect the airport to the lines going to Sealdah.
TRAMS
TRAMS
Kolkata is the only city in India to have a tram network. Trams are under the administration of the Calcutta Tramways Company,a government of West Bengal Undertaking, popularly called CTC. The trams are claimed to slow down other traffic, leading to groups who currently voice abolishing the trams. The environment-friendliness and the old charm of the trams attract many people. The tram lines laid in some major roads are being renovated to maintain the tram lines on the same level plane as the rest of the road, thereby smoothening the road. In places, the original central boulevards reserved only for the trams have been removed,the tram-lines are thus brought in the same plane as that of the road.The usable space of the road for vehicle movement has there by considerably increased. With embedding of tram tracks in the road surface, the over all surface has become smoother, easing the traffic to some extent.
With the tracks now running in the centre of the heavy traffic roads,commuters are encountering difficulties in getting to the trams' stops through the traffic and as a result, less number of people are able to use the tram easily.Mostly trams are found to be running with many seats vacant even during rush hours.This has also caused reduction of revenue for Calcutta Tram Company. One possible remedy towards difficulty of approachability to the trams could be to relay the tracks on outside left and the right sides of the road, adjacent to the footpaths.However,relaying the track may not be possible now as the modification will need enormous expenditure
FERRIES
Kolkata is also a major port and together with the Haldia dock systems, the Kolkata Port Trust has been amongst top performers in the country. Kolkata Port has regular passenger services to Port Blair from the Netaji Subhas Docks.
Also the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah are connected by local water ferries through the extensive ghats like Fairlie Ghat, Howrah Ghat, Shibpur Ghat, Prinsep Ghat, Cossipore Ghat, etc Small boats are used for recreational purpose. There are plans to start utilizing the canals running through the city as water-transport network. The first service is scheduled to start from September 2006 - and would cover the Belgachhia-Laketown stretch of Kestopur Canal.
Besides all this mode of transport, like in other Indian cities, walking is very common way to commute between the workplace and nearest railway station or bus stop. Privately owned cars, though less in number and usage compared to other large cities in India, are growing by leaps and bounds and are slowly becoming the transport of choice for a large number of people being helped by the growing economy, higher per capita income and the easy availability of loans from financial institutions.
Urban structure
Kolkata city, under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), has an area of 185 km2 (71 sq mi). The Kolkata conurbation (Kolkata Metropolitan Area), however, is spread over 1,750 km2 (676 sq mi), and comprises 157 postal areas, as of 2006. The metropolitan area is formally administered by several local governments including 38 local municipalities. The urban agglomeration comprises 72 cities and 527 towns and villages. The suburban areas of Kolkata metropolitan district incorporates parts of the districts North 24 Parganas, South 24Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Nadia.
The east-to-west dimension of the city is narrow, stretching from the Hooghly River in the west to roughly the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in the east, a span of barely 5 km (3.1 mi)–6 km (3.7 mi). The north-south expansion is roughly divided into North, Central and South Kolkata. North Kolkata locality is the oldest part of the city, with 19th century architecture and narrow alleyways. South Kolkata grew mostly after independence of India and consists of posh localities such as Ballygunge,Alipore, New Alipore. The Salt Lake City (Bidhannagar) area to the northeast of the city is a planned section of Kolkata.Rajarhat, also called New Town, is a planned township being developed on the north-eastern fringes of the city.
Central Kolkata houses the central business district around the B. B. D. Bagh area. The government secretariat, General Post Office, High Court, Lalbazar Police HQs and several other government and private offices are located here. The Maidan is a large open field in the heart of the city where several sporting events and public meetings are held. Several companies have set up their offices around the area south of Park Street which has become a secondary central business district.
KOLKATA TOURIST SPOTS
Kolkata – the capital of West Bengal preserves the aura of British days, weaving the past and the present to form a charming fabric. Kolkata is a city of joy, where the heritage hunters can discover a blend of old and new. The political capital of British India has now become one of the largest metropolises of the world. It is the perfect gateway to Eastern and North- Eastern India and to the Far East.
Situated on the banks of the river Hooghly, the city is a magnificent portrait of architectural monuments and palaces of historic importance. It is a homeland of thousands of great souls of the nation; some time called as the cultural and intellectual capital of India. The city holds some of the country’s prime sites - the massive Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Eden Gardens, Kalighat temple and the bustling streets which are infectious and spirit sweeping
Situated on the banks of the river Hooghly, the city is a magnificent portrait of architectural monuments and palaces of historic importance. It is a homeland of thousands of great souls of the nation; some time called as the cultural and intellectual capital of India. The city holds some of the country’s prime sites - the massive Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Eden Gardens, Kalighat temple and the bustling streets which are infectious and spirit sweeping
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