Kolkata West International City | |
|---|---|
 Kolkata West International gateway | |
 | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 153 ha (378 acres) |
| Population | |
| • Total | ~30,000 [1] |
| Website | https://kolkatawest.in/ |
Kolkata West International City is a satellite township development of Kolkata, located at Salap [2] in Howrah district. The project is under construction in the form of a joint-venture between KMDA and Singapore-based conglomerate [3] Universal Success Group (USEL). [4]
Kolkata West International City (KWIC) is India’s first Foreign Direct Investment in real estate and township development. It is a satellite township development of Kolkata, located at Salap in Howrah district. The project is a joint venture between KMDA and USEL. The project is a 372-acre mixed-use development with residential, commercial, institutional and recreational segments. Overall developable area of 41 million square feet and developments currently spread over 6 million sq ft in the township.
The project was one of the largest foreign direct investments in township projects in India [5] and the first in West Bengal. [6] The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority acquired a 390-acre plot beside the Kona Expressway at Salap [7] and handed it over to the consortium along with sub-leasing rights. [8] It was unveiled by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, on 15 February 2006 and was expected to comprise about 11,000 apartments (flats/villas) to house nearly 36,000 people. [4]
The first phase of the project was to span across 82 acres with the flats being priced between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 80 lakh. [8] There were further plans to set up dedicated power stations, sports facilities, IT parks, entertainment zones, hospitals and schools. [4] The first 450 units were to be sold over by December 2007 and the entire project, comprising five phases, [9] was expected to be completed and delivered by 2010. [4]
Residents of Howrah, including the former deputy mayor of the Howrah Municipal Corporation, initially demanded that the word "Kolkata" be replaced with "Howrah" in the township's name. They alleged that it would mislead potential land owners into thinking that KWIC was in Kolkata, when it was actually in Howrah. [10]
The project also faced criticism over its water supply. Howrah Municipal Corporation agreed to supply 2 million gallons of water per day to the project, despite its inability to sustain a proper water supply to all of its constituents. [11]
The developers have missed numerous deadlines since 2008. Less than half of the first phase work was completed by 2013, when it should have been completed by 2008. [3] [8] Salim Group and Ciputra Development went away soon after missing the first deadline. [12]
The buyers have since formed an association (Kolkata West Buyers' Welfare Association) to protest against the delays. A few flats were eventually provided with completion certificates from 2011 and onwards [9] [13] but were allegedly far from complete and constructed in a sub-optimal fashion. [8]
Multiple protests have been held since 2011. [3] [9] [13] [14] [15] [16] In July 2011, Abhay Mohan Jha of HIMAL Southasian, made a visit to the proposed township and found it to be a desolated and uninhabited place, that resembled a cemetery. After being prohibited from entering the property, he visited the project-office in Chowringhee to find about 200 investors in a dharna , who despite having paid in full, were unable to move in, due to lack of any infrastructure. [6] Work progressed at a very slow pace and whilst more houses were eventually constructed, some of them were lacking connecting roads. [17] The Association also protested by writing to West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. [18] [19]
Universal Success Group blamed the delayed processing of certain approvals from various regulatory bodies such as KMDA. [9] KMDA denied the allegations and claimed the group was not transparent when they queried it about the reasons behind such extraordinary delays. [9]
The Association has also filed a case against Kolkata West with the Competition Commission of India. [20] Some homeowners also filed individual lawsuits demanding a refund. [21]
Howrah is a district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Howrah city is located on the western bank of the Hooghly River. Administratively Howrah city lies within Howrah district, and is the headquarters of the Howrah Sadar subdivision. It is also part of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, with development from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Howrah city is an important transportation hub and suburb of Kolkata. It is also a gateway to old Kolkata via Howrah railway station and Howrah Bridge.
Shibpur or Sibpur is a neighbourhood in Howrah city of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Belur is a neighbourhood in northern part of Howrah city in Howrah district, West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). The area is best known for Belur Math, a religious monastery containing a complex of temples. Belur Math is famous for being the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order, as well as that of the related Ramakrishna Mission, both founded by Swami Vivekananda. On the opposite side of the Hooghly River, opposite to Belur Math is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
Sodepur or Sodpur is a locality in Panihati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in north suburban Kolkata and the area is covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Barrackpore, Kamarhati, Dumdum, Agarpara, and Belghoria are all close by. It is a centre for rising residential construction. GM Meena Icon, Peerless Nagar, Merlin Maximus, Godrej Prakriti, and NPR Gitanjali Apartments are a few notable residential developments in the neighbourhood.
Kamarhati is a city and a municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Baranagar or Baranagore is a city and a municipality in North Kolkata of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Baranagar is the fifth most densely populated city proper in the world.
Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is the statutory planning and development authority for the Kolkata metropolitan area in the Indian state of West Bengal. The organisation used to be known as Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and retains the previous logo. KMDA is functioning under the administrative control of Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs of Government of West Bengal.
Baidyabati is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the State of West Bengal in India. It is under Serampore police station of Srirampore subdivision. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
New Barrackpore is a city and a municipality in North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated at north suburban area of Kolkata and the part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Salap is a census town in Domjur CD Block of Howrah Sadar subdivision in Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration.
Tentulkuli is a census town in Domjur CD Block of Howrah Sadar subdivision in Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is close to Salap and also a part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration.
Dankuni is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is now part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). It is considered posh area in Hooghly. Positioned strategically near Kolkata, it has emerged as an important industrial and commercial center in the region. The city's landscape is characterized by a mix of residential areas and industrial zones, reflecting its dual identity as a place of habitation and economic activity.
Belgharia is a locality in Kamarhati Municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and a vital locality in Kolkata metropolitan area. Belgharia is also known for wholesale market for all types of bags, luggage, and purses. Dakshineswar Kali Temple of Kolkata is in approximately three kilometers distance from Belgharia Railway Station. The Vivekananda Setu on the river of Hooghly which is one of the oldest bridges in Calcutta established for the connection between the city of Howrah and Kolkata is also at the adjacent area of Belgharia.
Hindmotor is a town in Uttarpara Kotrung Municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated on the western bank of the Hooghly River. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Kadamtala is a residential as well as semi-industrial area in the central part of Howrah City in Howrah district of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Santragachi is a residential neighbourhood in Howrah, Howrah district, West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Santragachi Junction in Santragachi is one of the five intercity railway junctions of Howrah-Kolkata, which serves as a railway junction-cum-terminus for the South Eastern Railway. Kona Expressway in Santragachi is one of the major and fastest roads to enter Kolkata.
Salkia is a neighbourhood of Howrah city in Howrah district, West Bengal, India and is administered by the Howrah Municipal Corporation.
Bally Jagachha is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Howrah Sadar subdivision of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Domjur is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Howrah Sadar subdivision of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Dumurjala Sports City is a sports complex of 56 acres in Dumurjala, Howrah, West Bengal, India. The complex consists of an indoor stadium with 6000-seating capacity; outdoor grounds for football, cricket, and hockey; a swimming pool; an outdoor gym; and a public park. The complex also has two helipads.
