Floating Market of Patuli, Kolkata
West Bengal, is blessed with umpteen number of distributaries of the holy Ganga. The Ganga splits itself into Padma and Hoogly, near Giria, Murshidabad. The former takes an eastern course and the latter flows southwards approaching the Bay of Bengal through the city of Kolkata. The Hoogly river system is an essential lifeline of the economy of the South Bengal districts. It is noteworthy to remember that it was through this river, that the East India Company sailed into the subcontinent and established their trade and commerce, in the city of Calcutta. The riverine bed of Bengal is the reason why the region is having a number of perennial lakes. One such lake at Patuli in South Kolkata has been transformed into a floating market. The much eminent floating market of Thailand is 400 meters long and 60 meters wide.
The floating market of Patuli, first of its kind in Kolkata, was setup to accommodate the shop owners who have lost their business due to the widening of the bypass road here. Two adjoining water bodies have been merged and two aerators have also been installed to take care of the oxygen level in the water, which will, in turn, help the aquatic animals and aerobic bacteria to survive.
The floating market of Patuli is having 280 shops housed on 114 boats. The shoppers and shopkeepers can approach the boats, through the wooden walkways. The buyers coming to the market are having a unique experience. They can stand along the walkways and can shop for a range of vegetables, fruits, flowers, meat and of course, the all-time favourite of any city dweller, the Machli. The boats are having gates which will allow the buyers to make an entry and exit. About 300 shoppers are getting benefited and an amount of ten crore rupees has been spent for setting up this market, for making customized boats and to build an underground sewer network, for the adjoining area.
A recent press release from KMDA (Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority) states that Patuli will also host a night market. However, the night market will not function in the floating market complex. It will find a place opposite the floating market complex. The night market is said to have 100 stalls stretching over few 100 meters off the EM bypass road. This night market will be open only during on Friday and Saturday nights. Along with vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish, one would be able to buy stupendously designed Bengali handicrafts and taste an assortment of delicacies from Ghugni Chat to Jhal Muri.
Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM.
How to reach: Patuli floating market is approximately 27 Kms far away from the Howrah Railway Station and 14 Kms further from the Sealdah Railway Station.
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