East Kolkata

Buildings along EM Bypass

East Kolkata (পূর্ব কলকাতা Pūrba Kalkātā) consists of the new growth areas on the eastern side of Kolkata. It includes IT offices, shopping emporiums and amusement parks. Luxury hotels, convention centres, speciality hospitals, condominium complexes, malls and multiplexes have come up at a rapid pace. These expansions are spearheaded by the formation of New Town and the extension of Sector V. Science City is a major attraction. Salt Lake Stadium is a major occasional crowd puller. Large number of hospitals attract patients from the metropolis and beyond.

Understand

East Kolkata covers Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (EM Bypass, or simply the Bypass), eastern Garia, Kasba, Lake Town, Salt Lake, and Tangra (New Chinatown). New Town is covered as a separate district.

Salt Lake

Salt Lake Stadium

Salt Lake (সল্টলেক Salṭlek), also called Bidhannagar (বিধাননগর Bidhānnagar), was developed between 1958 and 1965 to accommodate the burgeoning population of Kolkata. Over the years, the township has become an IT hub of Kolkata and companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro have their offices in Salt Lake. There are also several government office buildings lining the Central Park, which is part of an effort to decongest Kolkata.

Salt Lake is divided into five sectors I to V, each are further divided into blocks. Navigating the locations in sectors I to III are intimidating without online map service, as the street layouts are about the same. Each block has a market and a park for residents. Sector V is notable for hosting numerous government and IT offices.

Eastern Metropolitan Bypass

Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (ইস্টার্ন মেট্রোপলিটান বাইপাস Isṭārn Meṭropaliṭān Bāipās), also known as EM Bypass, or simply the Bypass, is the arterial road of East Kolkata. It runs north-south, from Ultadanga to Baruipur, and is dotted with major hotels, hospitals, business parks, residential blocks, and other high-end construction and development. The metro line  6  runs across the Bypass, and hence it is locally called Bypass Metro.

Tangra

Chinese New Year celebration in Tangra

Tangra is one of the two Chinatowns in India, the other being Tiretta Bazar. The locality was once home to 20,000 ethnic Chinese, now the population has dropped to 2,000 or so. The traditional occupation of the Chinese community here had been working in the nearby tanning industry and Chinese restaurants. The area is still noted for the Chinese restaurants where many people flock to taste traditional Chinese and Indian Chinese food. Historically there were many opium dens in this area, which is illegal nowadays.

Get in

Central Park

The district is extensive and still developing. Cycle rickshaws are available for short trips wherever there is a regular demand for them. Point-to-point auto-rickshaw services are there but are not as extensive or frequent as in some other parts of the metropolis.

By bus

There are various bus stops in East Kolkata, with the major being 1 International Bus Terminus (Karunamoyee, Sector-III, Salt Lake). International bus services, including bus services to Dhaka, also operate from Karunamoyee.

By metro

East Kolkata is served by metro lines  1 ,  2 , and  6 . Line  2  is useful for travelling between Sealdah and Salt Lake Sector V, while Line  1  is useful for getting here from the South at Kavi Subhash (New Garia). Line  6  is recently opened between Kavi Subhash (New Garia) and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby), and is expected to connect Salt Lake Sector V as well, making the journey across EM Bypass seamless.

By train

East Kolkata can be reached by local trains, with stops at Bidhannagar Road, Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Dhakuria, Jadavpur, Baghajatin and New Garia.

See

Nighttime view of Lake Town

• 1 Benubana Chhaya (বেণুবন ছায়া), EM Bypass, Baishnabghata Patuli Twp. A public park built around a lake and has a tree lined path flanked by lakes on either side. The park is a peaceful destination to spend time with family and friends. You can also take a boat ride and visit a tram restaurant inside the park. ₹10 per person. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Central Park (Banabitan (বনবিতান)), Sector III, Salt Lake (Central Park  2 ). A large hexagonal urban space in Salt Lake and a favorite hangout spot for lovers. The park is built around an expansive water body. There is a bridge which connects on side of the lake to an island which has a pagoda. The lake serves as a haven for water birds. There are also boating facilities in a cordoned off section of the lake near the rose garden. Central Park also acts as a venue of numerous events, including the Kolkata Book Fair. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Kolkata Time Zone Tower, VIP Rd, Lake Town. A one-third sized replica of the iconic Big Ben in London. The tower is 30 metres in height, while Big Ben in London is 96 metres. It has ten floors and the four clock faces are each 3.6 metres in diameter, compared to 7 metres in the original. (updated Jul 2022)
• 4 Science City, JBS Haldane Ave, Parama Island (Science City ). 9AM-9PM. It is one of the most spectacular science centres in India. The size of the Science City baffles first-time visitors. It features a lot of interactive science and live bioscience exhibits, as well as having Kolkata's first OMNIMAX theatre. It consists of Dynamotion Hall, Earth Exploration Hall, Science Exploration Hall and Space Odyssey. (updated Aug 2022)
• 5 Vadya Vithika, IB 201, IA Block, Sector III, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 2335 6796. 11AM–5PM (closed on Sa, Su). Run by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, the museum has more than 450 instruments, of which about 265 are on display in two big rooms. Free. (updated Dec 2022)
• 6 Subhas Sarobar (সুভাষ সরোবর), Phoolbagan (metro: Phoolbagan  2 ). (updated Aug 2022)
• 7 Swabhumi Heritage Park, Phoolbagan. Here one can sample local arts and crafts as well as some of the food from its various stalls. 

Do

Nicco Park

• 1 Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan (বিশ্ব বাংলা মেলা প্রাঙ্গণ), JBS Haldane Ave (Milan Mela ). Previously known as Milan Mela, it is a permanent trade fair complex. Fairs of different kinds are held at regular intervals. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Kishore Bharati Krirangan (কিশোরভারতী ক্রীড়াঙ্গন), Santoshpur. Commonly known as Jadavpur Stadium or Santoshpur Stadium, it is a 13-acre sports complex. It has a stadium that can accommodate 12,000 spectators and hosts lower division matches of the Kolkata Football League. It has a swimming pool with training facilities for children. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Nalban Boating Complex, Sector IV, Salt Lake (Nicco Park ), ☏ +91 33 2357 2888. Nalban (নলবন), as the name suggests, is mainly lakes and creeks (নল nal) fringed by groves (বন ban). Part of the Ramsar site East Calcutta Wetlands, it is a beautiful picnic spot for families, who would like to spend few hours in the lush greenery and placid lake. It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its unpolluted environment offers a respite and soothes the visitors. (updated Nov 2024)
• 4 Nicco Park (নিকো পার্ক), Sector IV, Salt Lake (Nicco Park ), ☏ +91 33 6628 5549, +91 33 6628 5509. It is the Disneyland of West Bengal with its various adventure rides. Opened in 1991, Nicco Park is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country and has innovative entertainment for all age groups. This amusement park offers fun for children as well as adults and draws crowds from Kolkata, especially on the weekends. A decommissioned MiG-21 bomber is on display here. (updated Dec 2022)
• 5 Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (বিবেকানন্দ যুবভারতী ক্রীড়াঙ্গন)), JB Block, Sector III, Salt Lake (Salt Lake Stadium  2 ). A major occasional crowd puller, the stadium has the second largest non-auto racing capacity in the world and the largest in the Indian subcontinent. It is used for association football matches and athletics. The stadium was built in 1984 and holds 120,000 in a three-tier configuration. (updated Aug 2022)
• 6 Sreebhumi Sporting Club, Lake Town. The club holds some of the best Durga Puja pandals in Greater Kolkata every year, with a huge crowd gathering during the festive season. (updated Nov 2022)

Buy

Malls

• 1 Acropolis Mall, 1858/1, Rajdanga Main Rd. 10:00AM-10:30PM. The main shopping centre of Kasba. Has Chilli's, Cinepolis, Ozora, and Spencer's. (updated Nov 2024)
• 2 Apsara Shopping Arcade (at the crossing of EM Bypass and Prince Anwar Shah Rd Connector). 
• 3 Charnock City, KB-26, Sector-III, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 2335 1349. 
• 4 City Centre, 3rd Avenue, DC Block, ☏ +91 33 23581011. Restaurants include KFC (1F, Block A), Pizza Hut (1F, Block A), Afraa Restaurant (7F, Block G), Caught n Bowled (4F, Block B), Copper Chimney (3F, Block C), Haka (2F, Block E) and Kaafila (3F, Block B). 
• 5 Hiland Park Metropolis Mall, Santoshpur, ☏ +91 33 2436 8705. Has a ten-outlet eatery. 
• 6 Mani Square, 164/1, Maniktala Main Rd (off EM Bypass). Restaurants include KFC (3F), McDonald's (GF), Flame & Grill (4F), Haka (4F), Khandani Rajdhani Restaurant (4F), Machan (4F), Mio Amore (4F), The Shack (4F) and Square 4o5. (updated Oct 2022)
• Orchid Point, 3/1A, UC Banerjee Rd, Kankurgachi. It houses most major brands. 
• 7 Silver Spring Arcade, EM Bypass. Restaurants include Mainland China (3F), Masque (3F), Oh! Calcutta (3F) and Sigree (1F). 
• 8 Upohar Town Centre, Upohar Housing Complex, New Garia (local: New Garia  Sealdah South , metro: Kavi Subhas  1  6 ). Spencer's and other outlets. 

Markets

• 9 Patuli Market (ভাসমান বাজার), Baishnabghata Patuli Twp. Opened in 2018, it is the first artificial floating market in India with 280 shops housing on 114 boats. (updated Aug 2022)
• 10 VIP Bazaar, Picnic Garden Rd, Tiljala. (updated Jul 2022)

Eat and drink

Major restaurant chains include Haldiram's (P420, VIP Road, Kaikhali).

• 1 Byepass Dhaba. Noon-1AM. North Indian. (updated Sep 2022)
• Charnock's, KB 26, Sector-III, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 23351349, +91 9051325905. Noon-4PM, 7:30PM-10:30PM. Continental, Bengali, North Indian cuisine. Drinks served. 
• Mishra's Bar & Restaurant. Bar with good food arrangements. North Indian, South Indian, Continental, Chinese cuisine. 
  • DG 1, Sector-II, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 4009191, +91 33 4009195. 9AM-11PM. 
  • 2 IB-157, Sector-III, Salt Lake (Near Tank 14), ☏ +91 33 40669178. 11AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2022)

Tangra

• 3 Beijing Restaurant, 77/1, Christopher Rd, Tangra, ☏ +91 33 23281011, +91 33 23283998. Chinese cuisine. Drinks served. (updated Jul 2022)
• 4 Big Boss, 54C Matheswartala Rd, ☏ +91 33 23282405, +91 33 23290777. Chinese cuisine. Drinks served. (updated Jul 2022)
• 5 China Town, Tangra. Chinese cuisine. (updated Jul 2022)
• Golden Joy, 50/1, Matherswar Tala Rd (Near Gobinda Khatick Post Office), ☏ +91 33 65350880, +91 9051870888. Chinese cuisine. Drinks served. 
• Kafulok, 47, Govinda Khatick Rd, ☏ +91 33 23291953, +91 33 23282288. Chinese cuisine. Drinks not served. 
• Kim Ling, 13, South Tangra Rd, ☏ +91 33 23298923, +91 33 28650996. Chinese cuisine. Drinks not served. 
• Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant, 50/2, Matheswartala Rd, ☏ +91 9830968711, +91 33 23299540. Chinese cuisine. Drinks served. 

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Under ₹2,000
Mid-range	₹2,000 to ₹5,000
Splurge	Over ₹5,000

• 1 Udayachal Tourism Property, DG Block, Sector II, Bidhannagar (adjacent to the office of West Bengal Tourism), ☏ +91 9874026899, udayachaltl@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. It features colour television, laundry, restaurant, room and Wi-Fi services. (updated Jul 2023)

Budget

• 2 Alcove Guest House & Service Apartment, Block DL-39, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 89510 89510, stay@alcove.co.in. All rooms with air-conditioning, TV and private bathroom. Breakfast complimentary, free Wi-Fi access. They also have guest houses at other locations in Bidhannagar and Kolkata. ₹2,250 for serviced room. 
• 3 Arunadoy Guest House, 173/1 Barakhola, Mukundapur, ☏ +91 33 24260842, +91 9831284083. ₹250 per non-AC room. 
• 4 Ashirbad Guest House, 264 Barakhola, Mukundapur, ☏ +91 33 2426 4048, +91 9477402644, +91 9477402645. ₹300 per double-bedded room, ₹350 per triple-bedded room, all non-AC rooms. (updated Jul 2022)
• Atithi, 7 Sonali Park, Panchasayar, ☏ +91 9830380049. ₹250-350 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• 5 Debi Guest House, 175 Barakhola Mukundapur, ☏ +91 33 24264817, +91 9831687537, +91 9831923007. ₹500 per double-bedded non-AC room, ₹800 per double-bedded AC room. (updated Jul 2022)
• Eastern View Hotel, 185/9 Santoshpur Ave (nr Jora Bridge), ☏ +91 33 2416-9396. Check-out: noon. 1-star with six rooms. Amenities include cable TV. Government approved. 
• Maa Tara Guest House, 175/1 Barakhola, Mukundapur, ☏ +91 9831203612, +91 9903803612, +91 9007304467. ₹400-500 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• Meghalaya Guest House, 138 Barakhola, Mukundapur, ☏ +91 33 32986868. ₹300 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• Step In, G6 Tagore, Ruby Park, Kasba, ☏ +91 33 66037838. (updated Sep 2022)
• 6 Uttam Guest House, 1563 Mukundapur Rd, ☏ +91 33 24264287, +91 9830057482. Check-in: 9AM, check-out: 9AM. ₹500-₹600 per double-bedded non-AC room, ₹800-₹900 per double-bedded AC room. (updated Jul 2022)
• Apanjan, 3 Shanti Park, Panchasayar, ☏ +91 9830016645, +91 9836198199. Around ₹200 per day/ non-AC room. 
• Bina Bhawan, 15A, Shanti Park, Panchasayar, ☏ +91 98311248611, +91 987407250. ₹300-350 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• Maity Villa, 27 Sonali Park, Panchasayar, ☏ +91 9836955183. ₹300-500 double-bedded non-AC room; ₹800-1200 for double-bedded AC room. 
• Ricko, 22 Shanti Park, Panchasayar, ☏ +91 9836955183. ₹300-600 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• Shib Bandhalay, 21 Shanti Park, Panchasayar. ₹400 per double-bedded non-AC room. 
• 7 Aquatic Palace, NP 222, Sector V, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 44502716. 
• 8 NRI Residency, CIT Rd, Kankurgachi, info@NRIResidency.com. Offers guesthouse-style accommodation with clean and large AC rooms with Western-style private bathrooms. ₹1,050-1,200. 
• 9 Sun & Services, GC 35, Sector III, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 66245815. 

Mid-range

• 10 Tiger Inn, 1686 Lashkrhat, Tagore Park (Block -1) Naskar Hat, Kasba (off EM Bypass), ☏ +91 33 2345 2433. 
• 11 Duhita Guest House, AA 39, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 2337-5332, manager@duhita.com. Operating from 1987. (updated Jun 2015)
• 12 Harry Guest House, AE 329, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 2321 5096, harryguest@gmail.com. Operating since 1992, it is a fully air-conditioned guest house. (updated Jun 2015)
• 13 Monotel, DM-2, Sector-V, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 4030-2000. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 11AM. ₹3000-5000. (updated Oct 2022)
• 14 Next Generation Guest House, Plot No 255, AD Block, Sector-I, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 2321 5536, nextgencareer@gmail.com. 
• 15 Vivanta Kolkata EM Bypass, 1930, Rash Behari Ave Connector, ☏ +91 33 6666 0000. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₹4490-5600. (updated Jul 2022)

Splurge

ITC Royal Bengal at twilight

• 16 ITC Royal Bengal. (updated Dec 2024)
• 17 ITC Sonar Kolkata, 1, JBS Halden Ave, ☏ +91 33 2345 4545, fax: +91 33 2345 4455. (updated Sep 2022)
• 18 JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata, 4A, EM Bypass, Tangra, ☏ +91 33 6633-0000. ₹26,550. (updated Sep 2022)
• 19 The Pearl Hotel Kolkata, 35Z, EM Bypass, Beleghata (opposite Salt Lake Stadium), ☏ +91 33 4000-2883. (updated Sep 2022)
• 20 Golden Tulip, 2nd Cross Rd, DD-19, 3rd Ave, DD Block, Sector-I, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 7123-2425. (updated Oct 2022)
• 21 Hotel The Sojourn, Plot KB 23, Sector-III, Salt Lake (Beside of Salt Lake Stadium opposite Gate No 4), ☏ +91 33-2335-1462, info@hotelthesojourn.com. ₹3450-4400. 
• 22 Hyatt Regency, EM Bypass, JA-1, Sector-III, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 2335 1234, fax: +91 33 2335 1235. (updated Sep 2022)
• 23 Indismart Hotel, International Tower X-1,8/3 Block EP, Salt Lake Electronics Complex, Sector-V, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 2357 7550-59, +91 33 4010 1350, fax: +91 33 2357 7735, info@indismartgroup.com. (updated Dec 2024)
• 24 The Sonnet, Block DD, Plot No. 8, Sector-I, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33-66339000, fax: +91 33-66339001, reservations.kol@thesonnet.com. 
• 25 The Stadel, Gate 3, Salt Lake Stadium, Sector-III, Salt Lake, ☏ +91 33 2335 7220. 

Cope

Police stations

• 1 Purba Jadavpur Police Station, Mukundapur, ☏ +91 33 24267345. 
• 2 Patuli Police Station, ☏ +91 33 24625195. 
• 3 Bidhannagar East Police Station, Canal Side Rd, AL Block, Sector-II, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 23590849. 
• 4 Bidhannagar South Police Station, JC Block, Sector-III, Bidhannagar, ☏ +91 33 23351047.