Page 18 - Kolkata

Kolkata emerges as safest city in India for third consecutive year: NCRB

Kolkata emerged as the safest city in India for the third consecutive year, recording the least number of cognisable offences per lakh population among metropolises, a report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said. The eastern metropolis, which reported 86.5 cases of cognisable offences per lakh people in 2022, was followed by Pune (280.7) and Hyderabad (299.2), the NCRB data stated. Cognisable crimes are those for which cases are registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and SLL (Special and Local Laws). According to the NCRB report, Kolkata had registered 103.4 cases of cognisable crimes per lakh people in 2021, which dropped to 86.5 this year. In 2020, the count was 129.5. In 2021, Pune and Hyderabad had reported 256.8 and 259.9 cognisable offences per lakh population, respectively. The rankings were issued after comparison among 19 cities with over 20 lakh population. Kolkata, however, recorded an increase in crimes against women as the numb

Indian Oil opens its first EV battery swapping station in Kolkata

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Monday opened its first battery-swapping station in Kolkata for electric vehicles (EV). The oil marketing PSU opened the facility at its retail outlet in New Town on the eastern outskirts of the city in collaboration with Sun Mobility, the company said in a statement, adding that this marks a significant step forward in promoting sustainable and accessible electric mobility solutions across the city. Battery-swapping technology for two and three-wheeler EVs has proven to be a game-changer across India. IOC director (marketing) V Satish Kumar said, "The battery-swapping technology presents a significant opportunity for promoting sustainable electric mobility solutions. This facility is expected to play a pivotal role in the adoption of EVs and spearhead energy transition in eastern India." In the coming months, IOC, in association with Sun Mobility, will install more battery-swapping facilities at its retail outlets, allowing drivers to access its ...

PKL 2023: Bengal Warriors players full list, price and live stream details

Bengal Warriors, champions of the 2019 season, acquired the services of their skipper Maninder Singh for a whopping Rs 2.12 crore

Uber to start bus service in Kolkata for office-goers by March 2024

Ride-hailing app Uber on Wednesday announced that it will soon start a bus service in Kolkata for office-goers. By March next year, Uber Shuttle will have 60 air-conditioned buses on predefined routes, connecting business districts with residential areas of the city, it said in a statement. Uber will invest USD 10 million in the state by 2025, and create about 50,000 livelihood opportunities over the next five years, it added. For the bus service, Uber signed an agreement with the state Transport Department at the Bengal Global Business Summit. Like cabs, passengers can pre-book seats up to a week in advance for Uber Shuttle, track live location and route, and receive real-time estimated time of arrival (ETA) through the Uber app. Uber Shuttle will offer commuters a seamless and convenient travel experience, the statement said. The service will also provide cashless payment options, round-the-clock safety support and a comfortable ride with air-conditioned buses running from 6 am

Merlin Group signs MoU with World Trade Centers at Bengal business summit

The Kolkata-based Merlin Group announced on Wednesday that the company has signed an MoU with several World Trade Centers in the country to explore opportunities for enhancing trade and investment. The pact was inked during the Bengal Global Business Summit here. "We signed MoUs with WTC Bangalore, WTC Mumbai, and WTC Noida at the investment summit for mutual support in various activities, promoting businesses and members in each other's states," Sushil Mohta, chairman of WTC NDITA said. The Rs 1500 WTC which is likely to create 30,000 job opportunities is coming up at Salt Lake's Sector 5 area, the municipal services of which are looked after by Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA). This WTC "will also focus on strengthening global trade, with a particular emphasis on promoting exports from West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala", Mohta said. The partnership with other WTCs aims at exploring opportunities for enhancing trade and investment

KPMG expands operations, opens new global delivery centre in Kolkata

KPMG LLP, a multinational audit, tax and advisory firm, has further expanded its presence in India with the opening of a new global delivery centre office in Kolkata. The new office, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration spaces, will accommodate a growing team of professionals, a statement said. KPMG currently has over 250 professionals in Kolkata and has ambitious plans to double its workforce by FY'25, it added. This expansion reflects the firm's recognition of Kolkata's vibrant talent pool and its strategic importance to KPMG's growth strategy, the firm said. "The professionals in Kolkata are joining a team of individuals developing critical skills that support the audit today and the more data-driven audit we are driving towards," said KPMG U.S. national managing partner (audit operations) Tim Walsh. Global delivery centres play a crucial role in KPMG's global audit strategy, providing audit and assurance support, audit technology, and risk management ...

Over 25 nations' leaders to join Bengal Global Business Summit from Tue

Business leaders from more than 25 countries, a host of prominent figures of corporate India as well as political dignitaries are expected to take part in the seventh edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) that will begin on Tuesday, officials said. The participating countries include the US, UK, Japan, Poland, France, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Fiji, they said. Corporate honchos from India's Reliance Industries, ITC, Ambuja Neotia and the Hiranandani Group are also likely to attend the state's marquee business summit. The focus sectors at the two-day BGBS 2023 are MSME, textiles, engineering, energy, transport & urban infrastructure, real estate, agri, tourism and international trade & logistics, officials said. Over 250 international delegates are expected to participate, including senior representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, they said. "Reliance Industries Chairman & MD Mukesh Ambani is expected to attend this

World Cup 2023: When Eden Gardens crowd lent voice to South African charge

South Africa's power-packed batting unit suffered a light-out against Australia, but they found enough support from the packed Eden Gardens crowd during the second semifinal of the World Cup here Thursday. So, why did the Kolkatans cheer for the Proteas? It was quite simple as they preferred an India vs South Africa title clash on Sunday at Ahmedabad. Everyone knows what Aussies are capable of in a World Cup final. We dread to see an India-Australia final, so want them to lose today, said Rashmi Bhattacharya, a software professional who had come with his 14-year-old son, sporting a Quinton De Kock jersey. She represented the thousands of Indian spectators at the Eden, who cheered 'South Africaa, South Africaa", hoping that the five-time champions go out of India's way. It was safe to assume that green outnumbered yellow among the fans, whose number touched 47,825 on this day. As South Africa endured a top-order meltdown to be 24 for four, the stunned crowd fell into silence before

SA vs AUS Highlights, SF World Cup 2023: Australia win low-scoring thriller

South Africa vs Australia Highlights, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Proteas gave their heart and soul, but just could not manage to win as the Aussies won by 3 wickets to reach record eighth final

Markets in Kolkata witness huge crowd on Diwali, festive spirit in air

Customers thronged the Dakshindari Diya Bazar for festive shopping late on Saturday night

ENG vs PAK Highlights, World Cup 2023: England win, reach Champions Trophy

England vs Pakistan Highlights, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: England qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 in style as they defeated Pakistan by 93 runs to win their last World Cup game

Cricket World Cup 2023 ENG vs PAK Playing 11, toss result, live streaming

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, England vs Pakistan Playing 11: Pakistan brought in Shadab Khan in place of Hasan Ali in their playing 11 while England remained unchanged

Massive fire breaks out at West Bengal warehouse, 12 fire engine at spot

Two fire tenders have been stationed at the petrol pump to prevent the blaze from spreading, an official said.

Air India faces flak for leaving passengers stranded at Delhi airport

The Air India flight AI 762 was scheduled to take off from Delhi for Kolkata at 9 pm IST but was delayed until 11:55 pm. This led to a chaotic situation at midnight.

IND vs SA Highlights, World Cup 2023: Kohli, Jadeja lead India to big win

India vs South Africa Highlights, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli's century (101) and Ravindra Jadeja's 5/33 helped India win by 243 runs against the Proteas to register 8th straight win

Cricket World Cup 2023 IND vs SA Playing 11, toss result and live streaming

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India vs South Africa Playing 11: Both the teams are coming on the back of victories, thus expecting a change in the playing 11s could be very difficult

Restaurants make Rs 1,100 cr as Kolkata splurges on food during Durga puja

During the just-concluded Durga puja festival, revellers of Kolkata not only spent hours and overwhelmed by the pandals, idols and overall decorations, besides thronging restaurants to satisfy their taste buds. The fine dining restaurants of the city made Rs 1,100 crore in six days culminating on Dashami', the last day of the festival, which is more than 20 per cent of the earnings in the same period last year, according to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI). This is the second Durga puja after all curbs related to the Covid-19 pandemic were withdrawn. The buoyancy remained on all six days till Dashami as foodies were found till 3 am across eateries, said HRAEI President Sudesh Poddar Poddar, who is also the owner of a fine dining restaurant cum bar in Kolkata. "As per preliminary estimates, restaurants in the city did over Rs 1,100 crore business during the period," Poddar told PTI. A spokesperson of HRAEI said there has been a 20-25 per cent rise in sa

Kolkata Metro Schedule for today: More services amid Durga Puja Carnival

Kolkata Metro will start additional services on the North-South corridor amid the Durga Puja Carnival on Red Road in Kolkata. The metro services will continue till midnight on Friday

ED raids several places including TMC minister Jyotipriyo Mallick's house

Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials began an early Thursday morning search at the residence of West Bengal minister Jyotipriyo Mallick in connection with an ongoing probe into the alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam, an officer said. The ED slueths raided two flats belonging to Mallick, who is currently the state Forest minister, at Kolkata's Salt Lake area, supported by a team of central forces, he added. Search operations were also on at eight other flats including the residences of Mallick's former personal assistant while he was the Food minister, he said. "The minister was not there during the raid. He came later and his phone has been taken away. There are eight officers inside. We are also conducting searches at his former personal assistant's residence in Dum Dum and a few other places," the ED officer told PTI. The central probe agency has already arrested one person who allegedly has close links to the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as Mallick, the officer

Durga Puja's Unesco spark ignites pandal art, business and more

West Bengal's cultural extravaganza sees higher sponsorships, heightened creativity