# Kolkata/New Town

New Town (নিউটাউন Niuṭaun), also called Rajarhat (রাজারহাট Rājārhāṭ), is one of the newest satellite towns of Kolkata at the extreme east. It is the second IT hub of Kolkata, with the offices of TCS, Infosys, Unitech and other fintech (financial technology) companies. Eco Park, one of the largest urban spaces in India, is the main tourist attraction of this district, attracting people from West Bengal and even beyond.
New Town was developed in the late 1990s and is rapidly growing under the leadership of the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). The Indian government declared New Town a "Solar City" and later a "Smart Green City". As one of the newest parts of the bustling metropolis, New Town will take you to an ultra-modern world, compared to the "Old Town" of North Kolkata.
A planned community, New Town is surrounded by Bidhannagar and the Northern Suburbs at the west, the East Kolkata Wetlands at the south, and the vast rural areas of North and South 24 Parganas at north and east respectively.
The town is divided into three action areas: I, II and III. Action Area I (AA I) is the main area of the town, and it has various houses, housing complexes, shopping malls, and parks. The parks include children's parks, seniors' parks (like Swapna Bhor), and also parks themed on famous Bengali films (like Apur Sansar, Sonar Kella). The eastern end of AA I is home to various tech complexes.
Action Area II (AA II) is surrounded by several tech complexes, with tech parks like Ecospace, FinTech Hub, Synthesis and Bengal Silicon Valley. It also has housing complexes at the northern end, between Mangaldeep and Owl junctions. Eco Park is in AA II.
Action Area III (AA III) is the least-developed area, with a mix of both urban and rural areas. It is home to massive housing complexes like Uniworld City and Shapoorji Pallonji's Sukhobrishti. The eastern end has a handful but notable tech complexes of Infosys and ITC Limited.

## Get in
### By bus

* 22.5828188.453651 New Town Bus Stand (AH Block, Action Area I)

### By car

New Town is served by certain arterial roads to and from the township. Major Arterial Road (MAR) starts from Salt Lake Sector V, then turns left at Narkelbagan More crossing, turns left again at Akankha More and finally meets at VIP Road (Kazi Nazrul Islam Sarani) near Kolkata Airport. The road serves the Action Areas I and II.
There are two other roads that begin from Narkelbagan More. The one next to Rabindra Tirtha (not the one next to HIDCO Bhaban) runs across Action Area III, while the one opposite Rabindra Tirtha runs across the southern parts of Action Area I before meeting at a narrower 2-lane road next to East Kolkata Wetlands.

## Get around

New Town has a unique transport infrastructure that is rare in the rest of Kolkata or even West Bengal.

### By electric car

New Town has some charging stations for electric cars, which are very useful for the electric vehicles in West Bengal as the rest of the state has a lack of charging stations.

### By bicycle

It has some bike paths along footpaths, and they are usually coloured in green. Bicycles are mainly useful for short trips, and for longer trips you have to opt for a bus or car.

## See

* 22.57861188.4716671 Biswa Bangla Gate (বিশ্ব বাংলা গেট Biśba Bāṃlā Geṭ), MAR, Narkelbagan, Action Area I (Rabindra Tirtha ). An arch monument in New Town and one of the most iconic structures in Greater Kolkata. "Biswa Bangla" literally means "World Bengal". The structure consists of a single ring supported by two parabolic arches from four sides of the Narkelbagan intersection. The ring houses a restaurant and a visitors' gallery, which are surrounded by glass. There are two staircases and an elevator to reach the gallery. Decorative paintings of luminaries have been drawn on the wall inside the ring with the outer side having a glass façade to have a view of the township. (updated Jul 2022)
* 22.6083388.461762 Harinalaya (হরিণালয় Hariṇālaẏ) (opposite Eco Park Gates 5 and 6, parking space for four-wheelers at ₹50). 10AM—6PM (closed at sunsets in winter). A 12.5 acres (5.1 hectares) mini zoo developed by HIDCO, and despite being named after deers (হরিণ hariṇ), the zoo contains other animals as well. At the entrance, there's an aviary at the left and rides at the right. Rides include slides, mini jungle gyms, and swings. There's a waterbody for two large crocodiles and two hippos enclosed with fence. Other than real animals, there are images and concrete sculptures of birds. Within the zoo contains Nature's Cafe, which offers Chinese and Indian dishes along with non-alcoholic drinks. The zoo is a no-plastic zone, though you can picnic within the zoo premises. ₹50 for people above 5, both cash and UPI accepted. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5790588.473383 Rabindra Tirtha (রবীন্দ্র তীর্থ Rabīndra Tīrtha), MAR, Narkelbagan, Action Area I (Rabindra Tirtha ). noon–7PM. A cultural centre dedicated to the poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It houses an exhibition of Tagore’s paintings, archives, a research centre, an auditorium and dormitories for students opting to conduct their research on Tagore. Various arts festivals are arranged here, including performances. ₹20. (updated Feb 2025)

### Museums and art galleries

* Arts Acre. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.58534688.489794 Fanattic Sports Museum (FSM), Ecospace Business Park, Action Area II (Ecospace ). 11AM–7PM (closed on M). A sports museum dedicated to various types of sports and the first of its kind in West Bengal. ₹10. (updated Dec 2022)
* 22.6127388.465715 Kolkata Museum of Modern Art (KMOMA). A modern art museum. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.599988.4726 Mother's Wax Museum, Synthesis Business Park, MAR, Action Area II (Prakriti Tirtha ), ☏ +91 33 2324 7243. Noon-3:30PM. The Mother's Wax Museum consists of nine sections containing 18 to 19 wax models of eminent personalities. It contains models of Maradona, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Manna Dey, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. 150. (updated Jul 2022)
* 22.5770488.478187 Naval Aircraft Museum, DJ Block, Narkelbagan, Action Area I (New Town Police Station ). A military aviation museum built by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and is exhibiting a Tupolev Tu-142 of Indian Navy. Other exhibits for its interior and surroundings like a mannequin pilot, bombs, machinery etc. will be developed by the Navy. Apart from the aircraft on display, there is a small children's park and a coffee shop. (updated Jan 2023)

### Eco Park

MAR, Action Area II (bus stops: Eco Park, Prakriti Tirtha), ☏ +91 33 2706 4010. Noon–4:30PM (closed M). ₹20.
Eco Park (ইকো পার্ক Iko Pārk) or Prakriti Tirtha (প্রকৃতি তীর্থ Prakr̥ti Tīrtha) is a 480-acre landscaped park surrounding a water body of about 100–120 acres (40–49 hectares). The green space is so vast and diverse that it cannot be visited in a short trip easily, and many new attractions are coming here at a rapid pace. There are eight gates to access the park. Parking facilities available at Gate 1 and Gate 4. Activities include paddleboats, rowboats, duo cycles, birdwatching, etc. You can also ride in trackless "toy trains" to enjoy the park. The attractions within the park include:
* 22.6027688.466328 Bengal Village (বাংলার গ্রাম Bāṁlār Grām). An exhibition containing models depicting the daily life of rural Bengal. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6080688.465289 Butterfly Garden. It consists of a large dome to enclose a plant habitat consisting of different species of flowering annuals and perennials that support a large range of butterflies organised around a circular body of water. (updated Feb 2024)
* 22.6085488.466910 Eco Children's Park. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5989588.4660711 Eco Island. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5942288.4665312 Eiffel Tower. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6079588.4670813 Ghum railway station. A dummy railway station with a toy train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. You can get into the train to get a feeling of the Darjeeling Hills. It costs ₹10 per head for photoshoot inside the train. (updated Feb 2024)
* 22.6068888.4654614 Heliconia Garden. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6021588.4645215 Herbal Garden. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5948288.4694416 Japanese Forest. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6075288.4673517 Mask Garden. An open-air collection of masks from various parts of the world, especially from various states of India, especially from West Bengal. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5997588.4703718 Meadow Garden. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6090688.4636319 Pakhibitan. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6010788.4698920 Promenade. The spine of Eco Park is a paved pathway lined with coconut trees. It is designed to enjoy the waterbody. There's a massive Solar Dome and a replica of the Eiffel Tower along the promenade. (updated Nov 2024)
* 22.5964688.4713521 Rabi Aranya. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6035388.4689922 Rose Garden. A long walking path with varieties of roses at both sides. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6069588.466323 Sculpture Garden. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.602388.4654524 Solar Dome. A dome-shaped structure that houses a museum about solar energy and its use in daily life. It has a guided tour with humanoid robots. The dome also houses a planetarium, marine aquarium, and an observation deck. It also has information stands on other renewable energies and also global warming, rising sea levels, and climate change. The structure itself generates a lot of solar power for the New Town area. (updated Nov 2024)
* 22.6097688.4670325 Seven Wonders. It consists of replicas of seven world-famous monuments: the Pyramids of Giza, Christ the Redeemer, Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Petra, Colosseum and Moai Statues. Accessible from Gate 4. (updated Feb 2024)
* 22.6054188.4679826 Tropical Tree Garden. Contains a piece of the tropical forest of Bengal. (updated Dec 2024)

## Do

* 22.56206588.4651971 Aquatica, Kochpukur (off Street 299; Thakdari ), ☏ +91 33 3200 7947, +91 93315 55220. 10AM–6PM daily. This theme water park offers visitors a cool respite from the heat and grime of city life. Aquatica has a number of rides including tremendously exciting ones like the Black Hole, the Wave Pool, Niagara Falls, surf racer, Tornado and the Aqua Dance Floor. Regular parties and fashion shows are hosted here, especially in the winter. Wide varieties of cocktails are available, as well as mocktails for sobers. ₹300–1,000. (updated Nov 2024)
* 22.6082888.463422 Eco Park Amphitheatre, Eco Park. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6188788.48013 Eco Urban Village, Street 645, Action Area II. A large picnic spot based around a lake, similar to Eco Park. Albeit smaller than Eco Park, the area is quieter and can provide a brief escape to the otherwise city life. Cottage rentals are available from ₹1,000. There's a tribal museum with the ticket price of ₹10 only. Red munia birds are common here, and many migrant birds come here around the lake during winter. (updated Feb 2025)
* 22.5827588.4740564 Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Action Area I. (updated Nov 2024)
* 22.5798488.469075 Mela Ground (Fairground). (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5819488.448456 Nazrul Tirtha (নজরুল তীর্থ Najrul Tīrtha), Action Area I (Nazrul Tirtha ). A cultural and educational centre dedicated to the poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The cultural centre is functioning partly as a cinema hall and open air theatre for exhibitions and performances. (updated Dec 2022)
* 22.58288.45857 New Town Square. Hosts Durga Puja and trade fairs. (updated Feb 2025)
* 22.5788788.467968 Ozone Convention Centre. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5938888.467749 Taal Kutir, Eco Park. (updated Dec 2024)

## Buy

* 22.580288.45961 Axis Mall, CF Block, Action Area-IC, ☏ +91 33 32006827. Shopping mall, restaurants, Bioscope multiplex with four screens. Restaurants include Aaheli (4F), Addiction (4F), Café Coffee Day (2F), Calcutta Retro (5F), Mehak-e-Punjab (4F). Keshariya Junction is a rail-themed multi-cuisine restaurant inside a replica of an LHB coach. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6098288.464522 Biswa Bangla Haat (বিশ্ব বাংলা হাট Biśba Bāṁlā Hāṭ), Eco Park (Gate 5). (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.623288.45033 City Centre II, Action Area-IID. There's Inox at third floor. Restaurants include KFC (GF, Block C), McDonald's (GF, Block A), Pizza Hut (GF, Block C), Gamma's World Cuisine (2F), Massekah (2F, Block B), The Orient (GF) and Zion Lounge (GF). (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5817288.460524 DLF Galleria. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.5595188.495385 Down Town Mall, Uniworld City, Action Area-III. (updated Jul 2022)
* 22.582988.45876 HomeTown (Central Mall), BG Block, ☏ +91 90 07 862472. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.6075288.468127 Misti Hub (মিষ্টি হাব Miṣṭi Hāb), Eco Park (next to Gate 3 and Mask Garden). (updated Dec 2024)
* Sonajhuri Hat, MAR, Action Area I (somewhere beneath the Axis Mall Flyover). F–Su 5–8PM. Based on the famous Sonajhuri Hat in Santiniketan. No entry price. (updated Feb 2025)

## Sleep
### Splurge

* 22.5796388.46151 Novotel, CF 11, Action Area-IC, ☏ +91 33-40323334. (updated Jun 2015)
* 22.58189888.4626852 Pride Plaza Hotel Kolkata, BG Block, Action Area I, ☏ +91 33 40259999. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₹5,600–₹6,800. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.622388.44993 Swissotel, City Centre, Action Area-IID, ☏ +91 33 6626 6666, kolkata@swissotel.com. (updated Oct 2022)
* 22.5940988.468534 Taj Taal Kutir, Eco Park. (updated Dec 2024)
* 22.59288.474395 The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, MAR (South-East), Action Area-II (opposite Eco Park), ☏ +91 33 4037 1234. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The tallest buildings in New Town. (updated Jul 2022)

## Connect

The 10.5 km (6.5 mi) area from Kolkata Airport to Salt Lake Sector V is a free Wi-Fi zone.

## Cope
### Police stations

* 22.5761888.478641 New Town Police Station, New Town Rd, DJ Block, Action Area I, ☏ +91 33 23246077.
* 22.6317188.484982 Rajarhat Police Station, ☏ +91 33 25733289.