# Naktala

Naktala is a neighbourhood in South Kolkata in West Bengal, India. It is bounded by Ganguly Bagan to the north, Bansdroni to the west, Garia Crossing to the south and Baishnabghata Patuli to the east.

## History

Previously forest, swampland and a peaceful rural area, dotted with ponds and the occasional dak bungalow (the erstwhile Dalgis bungalow) in between, Naktala is located by the Tolly's Nullah (Adi Ganga canal) connecting Kolkata to the Vidhyadhari River to the east. It has evolved with time from a sleepy to a bustling neighbourhood, burgeoned and prospered with the arrival of people from all over, mainly East Bengal after independence. The name is supposed to have originated from Nagtala (Nag meaning Snake, a place of snakes) according to one source and from Nak meaning Swarga (Heaven).

## Presently

Naktala is an upmarket suburban area of Kolkata in the southern part of the city, in the vicinity of Tollygunge and Garia. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road connecting these two places, divides Naktala into two parts. Single and multi-storied houses are slowly giving way to multi-storied apartments, all over the area.

## Transport

Naktala is connected by road and metro railway to the other parts of Kolkata. Many buses like AC Bus (AC6), CSTC Buses (S6A, S7), Private Buses (80A, 228, SD5), Naktala - Howrah Mini Bus, Harinavi - Howrah Mini Bus etc. ply on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road (NSC Bose Road). The closest metro station is Gitanjali.

## Nearby

Naktala is close to Dhakuria (4 km), Jadavpur (2 km), Garia (1.8 km), Purba Putiary (2.5 km), Panchasayar (2.5 km), Tollygunge (3.0 km), Kasba (3.3 km).

## Education

Naktala is rich in schools, with colleges mostly in Garia, Netaji Nagar and elsewhere. The schools are :
* Mukul Bose Memorial Institution
* Ananda Ashram Balika Vidyapith
* Maharishi Vidya Mandir
* Bani Bhavan High School
* Shri R K Ananda Ashram Girls School
* Khanpur Girls High School
* All Saints Academy
* Naktala High School
* B.D. Memorial School, Bansdroni

## Notable persons

* Abdur Razzak, Bangladeshi actor
* Damayanti Sen, IPS
* Kabir Suman, singer and former Member of Parliament
* Ustad Rashid Khan, Hindusthani Classical Vocalist
* Krishanu Dey, footballer
* Tapas Sen, acclaimed stage lighting designer
* Gautam Chattopadhyay, Moheener Ghoraguli

## Shrines

The Shiva Temple, on NSC Bose Road, the Shitala Temple, Yogomaya Kali Mandir, and also the Sri Guru Ashram (Durga Prashanna Paramahansha Road) and elsewhere.

## Festivals

Durga Puja is celebrated at Naktala with great pomp. Other festivals include the Old Rath Jatra fair at Rathtala and local fairs round the year. The much acclaimed and award-winning Udayan Sangha Durga Puja celebrated in the Udayan Sangha grounds adds to the pride of Naktala.

## Medicare

Naktala has several nursing homes and hospitals.
* Acharya Durga Prasanna Paramahamsa Sebayatan
* BC Roy Polio Clinic and Hospital for Crippled Children
* Sevangan Medical Complex
* Nidan Poly Clinic
* Springdale Health Care Unit

## Climate

The climate is tropical. The hallmark is the monsoon season, from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer.