Page 15 - Kolkata

Bangladeshis stranded in WB worried about ongoing violence in country

Several Bangladeshis, who have come here either for medical treatment or education or other purposes, are now stranded in the city and concerned about the ongoing violence and abrupt change of regime in their country. The suspension of train services between India and Bangladesh has compounded their anxiety, and they are uncertain about their next steps. I came here for the treatment of my father, and we have been here for the last 20 days. We are stuck in Kolkata. I am worried about my family in Dhaka, said 35-year-old Md Mostaque. Imran Ali Manik, a student at a private university in the city, echoed Mostaque. For the last three days, I have been unable to contact my family in Khulna. My family is a known Awami League supporter. I don't know whether they are safe, the Bangladeshi student said. The disruption in communication channels has resulted in distress as they are unable to check whether their loved ones back home are safe or not. Mostaque and Manik are among several peop

Texmaco Rail and Engineering buys Jindal Rail Infra for Rs 615 crore

Mega deal makes Texmaco biggest rolling stock maker in India

Houses worth over Rs 4 cr record 27% growth in sales in Delhi-NCR: CBRE

The first half of 2024 witnessed a surge in the luxury housing market in the Delhi-NCR region, driven by affluent buyers, enhanced amenities, and major infrastructure projects, according to CBRE

Voda-Idea expands L900 tech in Kolkata to enhance network infrastructure

Post-acquisition of additional spectrum in the 900 Mhz band in Kolkata, telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) announced expansion of L900 technology in 3000 sites across the city to enhance network infrastructure. L900 is an advanced technology that aims at providing a stronger 4G indoor coverage experience for users, with superior calling and faster data speeds, Vi said in a statement. This is part of Vi's broader strategy to upgrade its network infrastructure, following a successful Rs 18,000 crore Follow-on Public Offering (FPO). Vi has also acquired additional spectrum in the recently concluded spectrum auction, committing Rs 31 crore for 0.4Mhz of spectrum in the 900 Mhz band in Kolkata Circle and Rs 376 crore for 7.6 Mhz of spectrum in the 900 Mhz band in West Bengal Circle. With these, Vi now has a total spectrum portfolio of 334.4Mhz in Kolkata and 536.8Mhz in West Bengal circles. "Our goal is to provide the best network experience, and this upgrade is a testament to our ...

Office transactions hit record high at 34.7 mn sq. ft. in H1 2024: Report

Office space leasing absorption in Kolkata surged 33 per cent year on year to 0.4 million square feet in the April-June quarter of 2024, according to the CBRE India Office Figures Q2 report. The key sectors driving absorption in Q2 2024 were technology (40 per cent), BFSI (21 per cent), and flexible space operators (10 per cent). "The office space leasing absorption in April-June 2024 was 0.4 million square feet against 0.3 million square feet in the YoY period, a CBRE official said. Another real estate consultant, Knight Frank India, also said that Kolkata's office market saw a significant increase in office leasing volume, with 0.7 million square feet of office space transacted in H1 2024 (January-June 2024). This represents a 23 per cent growth compared to H1 2023, according to Knight Frank India's report "India Real Estate: Residential and Office" (January-June 2024). Average office space rents increased by 6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) during H1 2024, it said. Knight Frank a

Soon UPI ticketing at all booking counters in Kolkata Metro's N-S corridor

Kolkata Metro on Saturday announced that UPI payment-based ticketing system will be available at booking counters of all stations of Blue Line (Dakshsineswar-New Garia) soon for the convenience of the passengers. The system had earlier been introduced in all Automatic Smart Card Recharge Machines (ASCRM) installed at stations of Blue Line but not at counters. This ticketing system has also been introduced in all stations of Green Line 1 and Green Line 2 (Howrah Maidan-Esplanade and Sealdah-Sector Five) as all ticket booking counters in this corridor are now UPI-enabled, the Kolkata Metro said in a statement. As a result, commuters now don't need to tender the exact fare in currency notes and coins at stations under the Green line of East-West Metro. "Instead, they have now been recharging their smart cards or purchasing tokens with the help of this alternative system," the statement said. Now with the introduction of this UPI-payment based ticketing system at all the counters of B

CtrlS to invest Rs 2,200 cr at upcoming data centre campus in Kolkata

This will be the first Rated-4 data centre of East India, says the company

All permanent workers of Britannia's Kolkata unit take voluntary retirement

FMCG major Britannia Industries Ltd said all permanent workers at its Taratala factory in Kolkata have accepted the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). Despite this significant workforce change, a company official claimed that there would be no material impact on the business operations of Britannia Industries. However, according to senior CITU leader Gautam Ray, production has been stopped at the plant. "There has been no production at the Taratala plant for over 20 days. All 122 permanent employees have accepted VRS, and negotiations are ongoing for 250 contractual workers," said senior CITU leader Gautam Ray. Britannia did not respond to PTI's queries on stopping the production. The Taratala plant, one of Britannia's oldest biscuit manufacturing units, has been operational for over seven decades. According to sources, the Britannia management offered Rs 13 lakh to employees with up to 5 years and 11 months of remaining job tenure, Rs 18.5 lakh for employees with 6 to 10 years o

Railway min urged to introduce train services on Agartala-Kolkata route

Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting him to introduce train services from Agartala to Kolkata via Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. He also urged the central minister to commence train services from Agartala to Chittagong in the neighbouring country through the railway tracks between the capital of Tripura and Akhaura in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina had virtually inaugurated the Agartala-Akhaura railway link in November last year. However, train services on this route have not been introduced till now, Chowdhury said. "Under your stewardship, we have witnessed significant strides in enhancing the efficiency, safety and reach of our railway network. I request you to introduce the passenger and goods train service from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka and Agartala to Chittagong through the newly inaugurated railway track between Agartala and Akhaura (Bangladesh)," ...

Uber launches EV service, Uber Green, in Kolkata to curb emissions

Uber on Thursday announced the launch of its flagship electric vehicle service, Uber Green, in Kolkata, marking a step towards eco-friendly urban transportation. Uber becomes the second ride-hailing service provider to offer electric vehicles in the city, following Snap E, another brand operating with an all-EV fleet. "Enhancing the air quality in Kolkata is a shared duty we all must embrace. I commend Uber for introducing 'Uber Green' in Kolkata, a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in our city," West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said. "This service allows residents to book zero-emission rides with ease through the Uber app, promoting sustainable travel across the city, including routes to and from Kolkata international airport," Uber said in a statement. The company did not disclose details on the number of vehicles under Uber Green or its expansion plans for the city. The company has committed to becoming a zero-emissions mobility platform by 2

Unaffected coaches of Kanchanjunga Express reach Sealdah with survivors

The unaffected coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express, which was hit by a goods train near New Jalpaiguri, leaving 10 dead and several injured, arrived at Sealdah station here on Tuesday morning with nearly 850 passengers, according to an Eastern Railway official. At least four rear coaches of the train were severely damaged in the collision at Rangapani, about 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station, on Monday morning. "Around 800 to 850 passengers arrived at Sealdah at 3.16 am," ER spokesperson Kausik Mitra said. The unaffected coaches began their onward journey from the accident site on Monday afternoon. The passengers were provided with medical facilities, food, and water at various stations, including Malda Town and Sealdah, he added. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty, and Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah Division Deepak Nigam were present at Sealdah station to help passengers reach home safely, Mitra said. Train 13174 Kanchanjunga .

This city in India has been ranked the most expensive for expats in 2024

The 2024 Mercer's Cost of Living survey assessed 226 cities based on the cost of more than 200 items, including transportation, food, clothing, entertainment

Kolkata fire safety check: Brush with blaze amid lessons from the past

Against the backdrop of many fire incidents in business hubs, markets and hospitals across cities, here's a series from the ground

Postal department recruitment fraud: CBI searches 67 locations in Odisha

The CBI is conducting searches at 67 locations in Odisha in connection with an alleged recruitment fraud in the postal department, officials said Thursday. The CBI action comes on an year old complaint from the postal department alleging 63 candidates of the Gramin Dak Sevaks Exam allegedly submitted fake certificates. Over 204 officials, including 122 officers from the CBI and 82 personnel from other departments, swooped down at various premises in Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak with an objective of uncovering the interstate organised gang responsible for providing these fake certificates. "These certificates were allegedly issued by the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Allahabad; West Bengal Board, Kolkata; Jharkhand Academic Council, Ranchi; among others. The complaint suggests alleged involvement of an interstate racket in creating and supplying these forged certificates in collusion with the ...

2024 Lok Sabha elections: Bhangar vote may decide Jadavpur's fate

In a sense, Jadavpur has a bit of everything. It has the posh and affluence of Tollygunge and Golf Green, the working-class bustle of Garia, and the grime of Bhangar

Sunil Chhetri farewell game: How to book tickets for IND vs KUW match?

Even with a seating capacity of nearly 85,000, it is getting difficult for people to get hold of their tickets. Here's a stepwise guide on how to book them on BookMyShow

Bangladesh MP's body 'deskinned and minced' by illegal immigrant: Police

Jihad Hawladar, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh, confessed to his involvement in the crime, leading to the arrest of three other Bangladeshi nationals

Mystery deepens over 'murder' of Bangladesh MP in India, body not found

Home Minister of Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman Khan, said that missing Anwarul Azim Anar was murdered in a 'planned manner' in a house in a Kolkata suburb

Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim killed in Kolkata. What happened?

Missing Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim found dead in Kolkata; 3 arrested

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan called the incident 'a planned murder', stating that Bangladeshi nationals were most likely involved