It would not be wrong to call Kolkata’s Newmarket a piece of Bangladesh in the heart of West Bengal. Newmarket is a very popular destination for foreigners, especially Bangladeshi tourists. When the people of Bangladesh set foot in Kolkata, they stay in hotels in different places such as Marquis Street, Kids Street, Sadar Street, Totti Lane adjacent to this New Market. However, Bangladeshi tourists are continuously decreasing in Kolkata. As a result, the businessmen here are worried. Due to less Bangladeshi tourists, their business has declined. Earlier, where five to six thousand tourists used to come to Newmarket, now only four hundred to five hundred tourists are coming. It is said that the reason for the decrease in tourists is that this time is not the season for Bangladeshi tourists. Already during this period Bangladeshi tourists come to Kolkata less. Second, visa issues have arisen. A large number of Bangladeshis are not getting Indian visas. However, locals believe that this problem will be resolved within a few days. Because the problem of getting Indian visa for Bangladeshis is likely to be solved after the G-20 summit is over. But if the visa problem of Bangladeshi tourists is not solved, then it is feared that the same problem faced by the hoteliers during the corona (lockdown) may be faced again. It is known that the businessmen of Kolkata’s Newmarket area will write a letter to Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make it easier for Bangladeshis to get Indian visas. Apart from this, the hoteliers said, if necessary, they will meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, so that the visa problem is resolved quickly. Not only hotels, but all types of business in the entire area including Sadar Street, Free School Street, Marquise Street in the New Market area of Kolkata are largely dependent on Bangladeshi tourists. Apart from hotels, medicine, clothing, small and large food hotels, and even transport businesses attract Bangladeshi tourists. All in all, economic activity in Kolkata Newmarket square depends on Bangladeshi tourists. Local businessmen feel that if Bangladeshi tourists come to India less, then India’s economy will suffer in the end.
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