Biswa Bangla Gate | Kolkata City Guide
Biswa Bangla Gate, also known as Kolkata Gate, is the latest crown of Kolkata. Few prefer to call it the Welcome Gate. There are two arcs of 55 meters in height that hold a viewing Gallery ring above 25 meters from the ground. The ring spans nearly 220 meters and provides an aerial or bird’s eye view of the entire locality. The current Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated this Gate on 31st January 2019. HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation) started the construction on 6th March 2017, almost two years ago. According to design and construction, it has a capacity of 150+ visitors at a time, but is currently restricted to 50 visitors at a time. Surprisingly, this gate cost around INR 25 crores.
Quick Fact about Biswa Bangla Gate
There are two lifts of approximately 7-8 people capacity available to minimize the waiting time. You can start seeing the height gain by the glass wall of the lifts. Once you reach the floor, you will see a souvenir shop, selling key chains, wall clocks, paintings, etc. There are paintings after the culture, art, and great personalities of West Bengal on the walls throughout the gallery. Most of the observation gallery has a restaurant setup that starts functioning from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Whereas a small food joint, Cafe Ekante, remains open in the daytime. You can get puffs, shakes, ice cream, and beverages etc (card payment also accepted). You can sit anywhere you want and enjoy the busy city roads beneath. This rounded gallery gives a top view of the Rajarhat and Newtown area. Certainly, you can do photography and videography inside the gallery.
Entry Fees
You have to purchase an entry ticket of INR 100 from bookmyshow.com (the only method as of now), which finally costs around INR 106. Once you get the booking of the desired timing, display the confirmation number at the ticket counter to get a printed ticket. You cannot reschedule the day or time slot after purchasing the ticket. To purchase the ticket online, visit BookMyShow.
P.S. Children below 3 years don’t need a ticket.
Biswa Bangla Gate Timings
The Gallery remains open from 12 PM to 6 PM every day except Monday, due to scheduled maintenance. There are 3 slots: 12 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM, each slot of 45 minutes. No visitors will be allowed to stay beyond their scheduled periods.
Facilities available at the Kolkata Gate
Kolkata Gate also has some basic facilities like toilets, waiting lounge, filtered & cold drinking water, and baggage area (on the Ground floor). Before entering the lift, you have to deposit bags along with food, tobacco items, etc. Each of the arcs has a staircase for the emergency exit, which remains closed for its obvious reasons.
Parking is free for all visitors, just in front of the ticket counter.
Biswa Bangla Gate Cafe Ekante Restaurant
Although Cafe Ekante restaurant is the only option at this gate. I must admit they look quite promising. Prices look decent, but the view from this gallery is spectacular. To check out the complete menu, click here.
Quick Information about Cafe Ekante Restaurant
- There will be no separate ticket for the Restaurant. The guest will be accommodated on a first-come come first-served basis. However, the guest may make a reservation with a 20% extra cost through Apps and Online services. But the reservation of seats is limited to 30% of the total capacity.
- You may call 84201-05555 & 84201-22200 (12 PM to 6 PM except Monday) and also 8334065345 (9 AM to 6 PM) to pre-book your seat.
- One coupon will be given to each restaurant guest while going at the top, and the same should be handed over to the security personnel upon exit.
- Minimum billing per person of Rs. 500/-, including Taxes, is applicable for dinner.
- No toilet facility is available at the top, but visitors may use the toilet near the ticket counter at ground level.
- Free Wi-Fi and a Selfie zone are available within the viewing gallery/restaurant at the top.
- Any Corporate Body / Organization may book the viewing gallery from 7.00 AM to 11.30 AM at Rs. 20,000 for a maximum duration of one hour with a maximum of 50 heads. For any such type of booking, please contact the Manager.
- For violation of the rules or behavior considered undesirable, HIDCO reserves the right to cause any visitor to disembark and exit. No refund will be given, and the penalty will be payable as per the rules above.
Rules to follow at Kolkata Gate
A few more rules to follow during your visit
- Littering or spitting is strictly prohibited.
- A fine amounting to INR 500 will be imposed for each incident of littering/spitting.
- Smoking or chewing of any type of Gutkha/Chewing Gum is strictly prohibited.
- The entire Biswa Bangla Gate is under CCTV surveillance.
How to reach Biswa Bangla Gate
These days, transportation to Narkelbagan Rajarhat is not a big challenge. Almost from every place in Kolkata, bus service is available, like S30, AC12, AC23A, S12E, S9C, S53, S14C, etc. I hope the Metro service will start soon.
Nearby Places to Visit in Rajarhat, Newtown
Lastly, you may visit a few nearby places like Eco Park, Eco Park Seven Wonders, Mother’s Wax Museum, Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat, Rabindra Tirtha, Misti Hub, and Aquatica.
Important Link
- Official Site (For More Information)
- Biswa Bangla Gate Restaurant Menu
- Online Ticket Booking (BookMyShow)
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