Perhaps you did not know that Kasba means hamlet in Bengali. That’s what Kasba once was. It was a hamlet for workers in nearby factories. These factories were in Tiljala and Tangra. Kasba also housed people working for residents of Ballygunge. Ballygunge was a prosperous locality near Kasba.
Kasba’s history is interesting. The word Kasba is similar to the Arabic word “casbah”. Both words share the same meaning. The first major change for Kasba was the construction of Bijon Setu in 1978. Bijon Setu is a rail overbridge near Ballygunge Junction railway station. This bridge improved Kasba’s accessibility. It made the locality more habitable.
However, Kasba had a rough image. In 1982, communists murdered 17 members of Ananda Marg sect on Bijon Setu. A recent development for Kasba was the Rash Behari Connector. It links Rash Behari Avenue to the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. This connection made Kasba an integral part of the city’s eastward growth.
The Rash Behari Connector links to Haltu via Banku Bihari Chatterjee Road also called Kasba Road. Many buses travel these roads. Kasba became more than a stopover. It became a vital area for people using the EM Bypass from Ballygunge and South Kolkata. Cheap land, closeness to business areas, and good transport helped Kasba grow economically. It transformed Kasba into a visible part of the city.
Initial developments occurred around Kasba Golpark. This area is at the junction of Rash Behari Connector and EM Bypass. Ruby Hospital and Siemens office were established here. Government housing complexes also came up. Meghalaya House moved here from Russel Street. Real estate investments increased. Construction boomed along the Rash Behari Connector.
Kasba is now known for its Durga Pujas. Kasba Bosepukur Shitala Mandir and Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha are very famous. They attract thousands of people. Dharmatala United Club’s Kali Puja is also a big event in Kasba. Its procession is worth seeing.
Kasba police station is in the South Suburban division of Kolkata Police. It is located on Bosepukur Road. Patuli Women police station has jurisdiction over several police districts. These include Netaji Nagar, Jadavpur and Kasba. Several educational institutions are located in Kasba. These include Dolna Day School and Delhi Public School Ruby Park. Garden High School is also here.
Important establishments in Kasba include Ruby General Hospital and Desun Hospital. Siemens office is on Rash Behari Connector. Meghalaya House is beside the Siemens office. Kasba New Market or South end conclave is a popular shopping area. Acropolis Mall and Cinepolis movie plex are near DPS and Garden High School.
Many restaurants and eateries can be found in Kasba. Blue’s Eatery and Ming’s Restaurant are well known. Punjabee Rasoi is near Acropolis Mall. Kasba has transformed from a simple hamlet to a significant part of Kolkata. Its rich history and modern developments make it a unique locality.