Biswa Bangla Gate Explained

Kolkata Gate
Native Name Lang:sa
Building Type:Restaurant
Architectural Style:Retrofuturism
Location Town:New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal
Location Country: India
Coordinates:22.5786°N 88.4717°W
Start Date:6 March 2017
Completion Date:27 January 2018
Owner:Government of West Bengal
Height:55 metres (180 feet)
Architecture Firm:Vector Designs
Main Contractor:HIDCO
Public Transit: Biswa Bangla Convention Centre metro station (Under Construction)

Biswa Bangla Gate (also known as Kolkata Gate) is an arch-monument in the city of New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is built by Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) on the Biswa Bangla Sarani at Narkelbagan, Action Area - I of New Town, Kolkata metropolitan area.[1] It also houses a restaurant. The visitors' gallery and restaurant are surrounded by glass, which will be part of the wall. From here, one can see various parts of New Town.[2]

Location

Kolkata Gate is located over the third rotary traffic island on Biswa Bangla Sarani, near Rabindra Tirtha in Action Area 1, New Town, Kolkata. It is connected with the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre metro station of Kolkata Metro Line 6.

History and construction

The idea of Kolkata Gate came up under the Newtown beautification project.[3] design was made public in 2015.[4] The construction of the Gate started on 6 March 2017. The total cost of the construction of the gate was expected to be around .[5] [6] [7]

The initial plan for the structure also included a Biswa Bangla globe hanging in the centre of the ring. But, while it was being pulled up, the pulley mechanism faulted and it crashed to the ground. No one was injured and it was decided to scrap the idea of globe.[8] [9] [10]

On 2 February 2019, the gate was opened for public by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee.

The ring is supported by two parabolic arches from four sides of the intersection.

Structure details

This gate is 550NaN0 high. The 600NaN0 diameter circular viewing gallery is approximately 250NaN0 above the ground with an overall diameter of 2200NaN0. The ring is supported by two parabolic arches from four corners of the intersection. The four legs stand on concrete foundations 70tonne steel was used for the structure.[11] 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. Maximum 100 visitors are allowed at a time on the ring. Biswa Bangla Gate logo is put up on the outer wall of the ring.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: নিউটাউনে তৈরি হতে চলেছে গেট ওয়ে ওফ কলকাতা. বাংলাHunt. 17 Mar 2017. 1 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170902004925/http://www.banglahunt.com/gate-way-of-kolkata/. 2 September 2017. dead.
  2. News: কলকাতা গেটে ঝুলন্ত রেস্তোরাঁ . এবেলা . 1 September 2017. 4 April 2017.
  3. Web site: 2019-05-01. Liveability quotient increases in Rajarhat New Town with multiple social, cultural and infrastructural initiatives. 2021-07-23. Real Estate News. en-US.
  4. News: 10 April 2017. মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর তিলত্তমার সৌন্দর্য বৃদ্ধি কলকাতা গেট দিয়ে. bn. The beauty of the Chief Minister's Tilattama is enhanced by the Calcutta Gate. bengalinews.in. dead. 1 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170902011201/http://banganews.in/details.php?DI=2724. 2 September 2017.
  5. News: টাওয়ারে এবার কলকাতা দর্শন!. kolkata24x7.com. bn. 17 October 2015. 1 September 2017. 27 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180727142111/https://kolkata24x7.com/kolkata-gate.html. dead.
  6. News: Kolkata Gate work at full pelt in New Town. Times of India . 24 May 2017. 1 September 2017 .
  7. News: 'Kolkata Gate' Is Almost Ready. Here Are 5 Facts. The Beacon kolkata. 21 June 2017. 1 September 2017. 2 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170902012351/http://www.thebeaconkolkata.co.in/5-facts-about-kolkata-gate/. dead.
  8. News: 13 Nov 2017. Biswa Bangla globe falls from 40m in New Town. The Times of India. 7 Nov 2020.
  9. Web site: 200kg globe over a key crossing (Bengal's vision) becomes cause for worry. 2021-07-22. www.telegraphindia.com.
  10. Web site: বিশ্ব বাংলা গ্লোব ভাঙল কেন, শুরু হল তদন্ত. 2021-07-22. www.anandabazar.com. bn.
  11. Web site: MP. Team. 2019-01-31. CM inaugurates Biswa Bangla Gate, doors to open for public on Feb 2. 2021-07-22. www.millenniumpost.in. en.
  12. Web site: kolkata Gate. 2020-10-29. www.biswabanglagatekolkata.in.