Kolkata
(alias Calcutta)
is the capital of eastern Indian state of
West Bengal and one of
the four Metro cities of India (the other three being Delhi (the national
capital), Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras)).
Formerly the capital of erstwhile British India
(till 1911), this populous and vibrant city is often referred to as the
cultural capital of India.
Photogallery Calcutta (both old and present)
Principal Language - Bengali
Also spoken - Hindi, English
Weather in January - Pleasant, Temperature
varies between 10oC and 22oC
Bidhannagar (or Salt Lake) : A note :
Bidhannagar (or Salt Lake) is located at Northeast part of the city of
Calcutta (now Kolkata). There are several entry points to Salt Lake City
from Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (which runs roughly north to south along
the eastern fringe of Calcutta). The northern-most entry point to Salt
Lake (or Bidhannagar) from E.M. Bypass is through ULTADANGA.
A place in Salt Lake is often recognised by its nearby "Water Tank Number"
and/or "Island". Here "Island" means the round-shaped park at every
cross-road of Bidhannagar. The entire area is subdivided into different blocks.
Entering Bidhannagar from Ultadanga, the main thoroughfare is the 1st Avenue
of Salt Lake. Your first "Island" will be "PNB Island" (Punjab National Bank
Island). As you go along the 1st Avenue from Ultadanga entry, the Salt
Lake "Blocks" on your left are arranged as AA, AB, AC, ..... (on your
immediate right the "Blocks" will be BA, BB, BC, ......).
Location of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics / VECC Campus:
This campus is located around 3 K.M. from Ultadanga down the 1st Avenue
in Block AF.
Nearby landmark :
Calcutta Armed Police Camp (popularly known as "C.A.P camp") Bus Stop
on 1st avenue at the 4th island.
OR
Baisakhi Bus Stop (or Baisakhi Island) on 1st avenue at the 5th island.
Water Tank No. 5 is in between these two islands.
How to reach:
From Ultadanga :
Taxi, Bus, Auto rickshaw.
Take a left turn at the C.A.P. Camp island or Baishaki island. Move till
you reach the road at the side of the canal. If you are coming from C.A.P. side
take a right turn. SINP /VECC campus will be on your right side. The first gate
will be the VECC main gate and the next gate (around 100 metres) will be SINP
gate.
If you are coming from the Baishaki side, take a left turn after reaching the
canal side. SINP gate is around 100 metres from that end.
Airport
Both the domestic and international terminals of Kolkata Airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport) is situated further North/North-East of Salt Lake. The Airport is more popularly known as Dum Dum Airport. One has to take Nazrul Islam Sarani (erstwhile V.I.P. Road) or Jessore Road from the airport to reach the city. The N.I. Sarani actually originates from near the airport and leads to Ultadanga. The distance from airport to Ultadanga through V.I.P. Road is around 8 K.M. Coming from airport, down the V.I.P. road towards Ultadanga, one has to pass through a place called "Kestopur" (around 5 K.M. from the airport). After Kestopur, till Ultadanga (the rest 3 K.M.), one fringe of Salt Lake City runs parallel to V.I.P. road, demarketed by a running canal called "Kestopur Canal". Unfortunately no bridge for vehicular traffic is in existence to connect VIP road and Salt Lake over the Kestopur Canal. There are a few foot-bridges. For this reason one has to go till Ultadanga and take a turn to enter Bidhannagar.