POBNEWS24, Kolkata, July 4, 2025 : Kolkata’s traders have been struggling to survive for the past year due to the lack of Bangladeshi tourists. Several shops, hotels and travel companies in New Market, Free School Street and Marquis Street have already closed. Those that have survived are now waiting for the situation to change.
The Times of India published a report on Monday on the picture of Bangladeshi tourist-centric businesses in Kolkata. It referred to the area around New Market as ‘Mini Bangladesh’. The report said that due to the political upheaval in Dhaka, business losses in Kolkata have exceeded Rs 1,000 crore.
Free School and Marquis Street were popular destinations for Bangladeshis due to their affordable hotels, Bengali restaurants, hospitals and proximity to railway stations and bus terminals. Currently, the lanes in these areas are quiet. According to information provided by some business associations, ‘Mini Bangladesh’ has suffered losses of more than Rs 1,000 crore in the past year. Some traders have claimed that the loss is even higher.
Free School Street Traders Association general secretary Haider Ali Khan said that the daily business from hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, travel agents, foreign exchange, medical services and transport is Rs 30 million. If the loss of New Market and Burrabazar is also included, the figure stands at more than Rs 5,000 crore.
Several businesses in the area have already closed. Some are trying to attract local buyers. Prabir Biswas, manager of a travel company on Marquis Street, said that even a year ago there was no space for bus parking here. Now, several days go by, but no tourists come.
The money exchange business, which deals in Bangladeshi taka, is almost closed. Mohammad Intezar, general secretary of Marquis Street Money Exchangers Association, said, “We were completely dependent on Bangladeshi tourists. Now we are struggling to survive.”
According to businessmen, about 40 percent of small and medium restaurants in the area have closed since the start of the crisis. Several large restaurants are now operating on a limited budget. NC Bhowmik, owner of Radhuni Restaurant, said, “We are now waiting for the situation to change.”
The change in political climate in Dhaka was the second setback for Kolkata’s businessmen in the last few years. Many had made new investments after overcoming the Corona crisis. But since the arrival of Bangladeshi tourists stopped in August last year, businessmen have faced a second round of problems. It has become difficult for those who invested especially on loans to survive.
Some other tourism-dependent sectors such as home-cooked food providers, homestays, and tour guide systems have completely collapsed. Farhan Rasul, a resident of Elliot Road, said, “I bought two commercial vehicles when demand increased after the Corona pandemic. At that time, business was doing so well that many times customers had to be turned away. Now, even five-six bookings a month are not being met. Local customers also do not want to pay high rents.
