Dhakuria, Kolkata

Dhakuria is a residential locality in Southern Kolkata in West Bengal. Its PIN Code is 700031. While Dhakuria primarily caters to the housing needs of the residents, it also offers a decent commercial infrastructure. The locality is well connected to its neighbouring areas, offering easy connectivity to Selimpur, Kasba, Jadavpur and other localities.

Dhakuria has made significant strides in its infrastructure in the past few years. This has resulted in the rapid urbanisation of the earlier semi-rural spaces. Locals enjoy access to well-planned housing options along with key facilities. Transportation and connectivity have also improved with the help of Kolkata Metro and other commuting services. The multi-storied shopping mall, Dakshinapan, has significantly contributed to Dhakuria's evolution into an upmarket locality. It has helped attract a better crowd and higher investments into the region.

Considering its rapid pace of development, the locality assures high growth prospects for the future. Along with a solid infrastructure and a bustling social life, Dhakuria is an attractive locality in Kolkata. 

What’s Good v/s What Can Be Better

Physical Infrastructure & Livability Index

Dhakuria offers a mix of traditional and modern housing facilities to its residents. These housing units feature modern facilities and provide easy access to all civic amenities. Further, recent development of the area’s educational and healthcare infrastructure has also enhanced its overall residential appeal. On the commercial front, local shops, markets and businesses keep the locality bustling.

Residents of this locality enjoy decent connectivity through roads and other modes of public transport. Subway connectivity via the Kolkata metro and close proximity to the Dhakuria Railway Station are key advantages to the people living in this area. Further, the infrastructural facilities are well-complemented by Dhakuria’s recreational developments, such as the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex among others. Overall, favourable living conditions ensure a decent livability index in this developing locality. 

Social Infrastructure - Restaurants

Kolkata’s rich food culture boasts a mix of delectable street food and traditional Bengali meals. The following restaurants make for a bustling social life in Dhakuria and offer a complete range of Bengali food:

• Eat Bite Restaurant
• Super Bamboo Roll
• Mad Maxx Restro Cafe
• Sikkhito Bekarer Cafe
• Half & Half
• Surachi Center & Restaurant
• Ashirbad Fast Food Center
• The Star Restaurant
• Mako Restaurant
• Nirupam Hotel

Banks/ Metro Stations/ Airport/ Bus Terminal/ Railway Stations/ Parks

Banks & ATMs

• Bandhan Bank
• Punjab National Bank
• United Bank of India
• HDFC Bank ATM
• Axis Bank ATM
• ICICI Bank Branch and ATM

Metro & Railway Stations

• Tollygunge Railway Station
• Lake Gardens Railway Station
• Bibhuti Bhushan Halt 
• Salt Lake Sector V Metro Station
• Maidan Metro Station

Bus Terminals

• Bokchara Pukurpar
• Notha More
• Rampur More
• Gaighata BDO Office
• Rampur Mather Rasta

Airport

• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

Public Parks

• Eco Park
• Thakurnagar Playground
• The Green Dotcom
• District Public Park
• Jubilee Amusement Park
• Lakhimpur Play Ground
• The Public Park

Nearby Localities

How Do People Rate Dhakuria

Kolkata’s Dhakuria has gained an overall average rating of 4.0/5. Residents have largely reported high levels of satisfaction in this locality. Among the many positive developments, Dhakuria’s rapid infrastructural growth in recent years has lent it high reliability. Due to rapid urbanisation, residents enjoy access to modern amenities and facilities. Further, several natural getaways, like the Rabindra Sarovar, make for pleasant environments in this locality. Residents have also expressed high levels of satisfaction with easy connectivity to various nearby localities. While aspects like regional roads, utility supply and waste management can be improved, Dhakuria manages to offer an overall positive lifestyle. 

How to Visit Dhakuria

Here are some of the most commonly used routes to visit Kolkata’s Dhakuria region from nearby states. 

By Road

Visitors can use the respective highways from their states, which connect to Kolkata. Dhakuria is roughly 40-50 minutes from Kolkata’s main city and can be accessed using local roads. 

By Rail

The Dhakuria Railway Station is the closest railway station to this locality. Other stations like Tollygunge Railway Station and Lake Gardens Railway Station are also closely located near Dhakuria. 

By Air

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is roughly 20-22 kilometres from this locality. Domestic and international visitors can comfortably commute from the airport to this locality through local cabs and taxis. 

Popular Roads in Dhakuria

Dhakuria’s road connectivity is primarily ensured by a network of local roads. These include Raja SC Mullick Road, Ram Nath Das Road, Lake Road, Southern Avenue Road and many others. These roads play two key roles. First, they ensure smooth movement within Dhakuria and connect the various pockets of this vast locality. Second, these roads connect to other nearby areas of Kolkata, facilitating intercity movement.

Places to Visit In Dhakuria

Rabindra Sarobar

This artificial lake, spanning 75 acres, is one of the most popular getaway destinations near Dhakuria. The Sarobar (lake) is known for its rich biodiversity and is surrounded by lush gardens and shaded walkways. Residents usually visit this lake to seek respite from the everyday monotony of city life. Rabindra Sarobar’s calming waters serve as perfect backdrops for family picnics, leisurely strolls, morning walks and scenic outings. The lake is a short distance from this locality. Visitors can use the Dhakuria Station Road for greater comfort and convenience.

Madhusudan Manch

Named after the esteemed Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt, this auditorium is the epicentre of cultural activities in Dhakuria. Among the many art forms, the Madhusudan Manch is especially a favourite among theatre enthusiasts. With enriching performances and passionate audiences, it is a popular social hub in this locality. Its location, adjacent to the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex and near Dhakuria Bridge, enhances its accessibility. The young can partake in various theatrical activities, while the rest indulge themselves in creative showcases of Bengali art at the Madhusudan Manch. 

Dakshinapan Shopping Complex

This recently built shopping complex is one of the highlights of this locality. It is known for its open-air market atmosphere and a diverse range of establishments. It is the go-to destination for the locals to find their favourite books, clothing and other items. The shopping complex is especially famous for the various emporiums from different states in India, offering a range of unique handicrafts, artefacts and textiles. Additionally, the presence of several cafes and eateries in the pleasant open spaces gives a complete character to this bustling complex. 

Victoria Memorial

The grand, opulent and iconic Victoria Memorial is closely located near Kolkata’s Dhakuria. The memorial is known for its magnificent architecture and rich colonial history. The white marble edifice surrounded by striking greenery makes for indelible impressions on the visitors’ minds. Designed to commemorate Queen Victoria, the memorial was formally opened to the public in 1921. Today, its wide collection of paintings, sculptures and manuscripts attracts hundreds of visitors every day from Kolkata and beyond. The memorial opens from 10 am to 6 pm for visitors, who can enter after purchasing a basic ticket to the museum. 

Science City 

Science City blends education with entertainment to ignite the scientific curiosities of young minds. It is India’s largest science centre and is very close to Dhakuria. The Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Evolution Theme Park, and a Maritime Centre are some of its top highlights. People from across the city revel in fun activities at the centre with their families. Complemented by thematic gardens and water bodies, visitors can indulge in hands-on learning at this edutainment centre. 

Locality Overview

Neighbouring localities Selimpur, Jadavpur, Kasba and Bikramgarh are located near Dhakuria. Each locality boasts a unique character. Selimpur is one of the closest located neighbourhoods. But in contrast to Dhakuria’s mix of residential and commercial spaces, Selimpur is primarily residential. Jadavpur is a much more lively and culturally rich locality with its vibrant university campus, bustling markets, and a blend of traditional and modern housing. Kasba, boasting a mix of old and new developments, is witnessing rapid infrastructural growth. Bikramgarh, on the other hand, is a smaller and more closely-knit residential community and is slightly distant from Dhakuria. 

Key Takeaways

Dhakuria’s recent infrastructural growth has made it an emerging urban centre in Southern Kolkata. Homeseekers looking for a mix of modern neighbourhoods and a peaceful environments will find it to be an ideal fit. With a rich culture and ready connectivity to central areas in Kolkata, Dhakuria is a thriving locality with promising prospects.