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Kolkata
GOING
AROUND
Road:
Buses, cars, taxis, 2 wheelers, bicycles and even hand drawn rickshaws
(almost extinct, but a mean tourist curiosity still...) clog the
roads of Calcutta. While the roads are broad and planned, the
sheer density of traffic defeats the planners. Traffic jams are
common. Taxis are cheap, spacious 'ambassadors'.
The
important bus termini are Esplanade and Ultadanga. State-run Buses
though crowded run all over the important city routes. Private
Buses are popular hence overcrowded, but invaluable during rush
hour. Mini Buses run between fixed points . More distant suburbs
can be reached by CTC buses.
The
familiar yellow and black taxis operate within Calcutta city limits.
Minimum fare upto 2 km Rs. 5 (displayed on meter) plus 60 per
cent of figure displayed (amounts to Rs. 8)and Rs 2.50 per km
onwards.
Trams:
Calcutta has an extensive tram network but they may be on their
way out.
Autorickshaws:
( three wheeler taxicabs) Except for the fact they are not allowed
in Central Calcutta, they are quite convenient. They generally
ply point to point and carry four passengers. Fare varies from
3 to 15 (depending on distance)
Rail:
As mentioned earlier Howrah, across the Hooghly is the main railway
station. Sealdah in the eastern side of the city is another large
station. The Calcutta Suburban railway network is very large.
The
circular railway between Dum Dum in north to Princep Ghat in south
is another way of getting about.
The
Metro railway is the pride of Calcutta. Built at great cost
and the usual delays, it is a showpiece and very functional too.
The Metro seems oddly out of place here and seems to be something
at home in Moscow. But then there still are Stalin posters on
the street walls here and there. Anybody who defaces the Metro
is sure to be struck down by irate citizens. Since it runs along
the central axis of the city it is very popular with commuters.
It runs from Dum Dum to Tollygunge Minimum fare Rs. 2 (upto 6
stations) Max. fare Rs. 5.
River:
Catamarans to Haldia (1hr 45 mts) run in the morning and afternoon:
tickets start from Rs 400. For passenger traffic, small launches
ply the river delta channels. Ferry services on the Hooghly are
available. They ply From Howrah to Armenian Ghat, Fairlie, Bagbazar
and Cossipore. (It is doubtful business executives would use these
services anyway, but if you happen to inherit an old house in
the north of calcutta or something you could probably become part
of local folklore with your suit and tie and laptop and cell phone
and loose socks sitting upright in the prow, fading past the bend
in the river near Howrah bridge. And the approaching business
buildings emerge slowly from the mist (sorry ! couldn't resist...you
got to be literary in Cal, you know.)
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