Alipore

Alipore
neighbourhood

BelAir, a luxury Condo in Alipore
Alipore

Location in Kolkata

Coordinates: 22°32′N 88°20′E / 22.53°N 88.33°E / 22.53; 88.33Coordinates: 22°32′N 88°20′E / 22.53°N 88.33°E / 22.53; 88.33
Country  India
State West Bengal
District South 24 Parganas
Elevation 14 m (46 ft)
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Website s24pgs.gov.in

Alipore (Pron:ˌɑ:lɪˈpɔ:) is the headquarters of South 24 Parganas district and a neighbourhood in South Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal.

The area is the most posh and costliest locality in Kolkata, along with the Ballygunge with homes costing in excess of ₹12.7 crore (US$2.0 million). It is flanked by the Tolly Nullah to the north, Bhowanipore to the east, the Diamond Harbour Road to the west and New Alipore to the south, bordered by the Budge Budge section of the Sealdah South section railway line. The postal code of Alipore is Kolkata 700027.

History and development

'Siddharth' at Burdwan Road, a premium Condo

One of the most historical, eventful and elite localities of the city of Kolkata, Alipore is nearly as old as the city itself.

It was in the middle parts of the 18th century that the British began exploring the areas outside their settlements of Fort William and the Dalhousie Square area beyond the Race Course. The Belvedere Estate was one of the oldest establishments in Alipore.

Warren Hastings

The then Governor General Warren Hastings built it for himself and it became the Governor's residence until the Government House came up later. It was about this period of time that Alipore started attracting more and more British settlers who built their huge mansions and bungalows with gardens and Alipore came to be more popular.

In 1820, William Carey built the Agri Horticultural Gardens behind the Belvedere Estate and added to the charm of the locality. Also, the Alipore Zoological Gardens was thrown open to the public in 1875.

The locality was also witness to the Alipore bomb case and a spectator to the freedom struggle of the Indian revolutionaries, like Aurobindo Ghosh who were imprisoned at Alipore Jail.

Post independence of India, Alipore became popular among the business elite of the city and a large number of them set up home. The Pauls, the Birlas, the Goenkas, the Dalmiyas, the Jalans, the Kotharis, the Poddars - all added weight to the place.

In 1952, the Imperial Library (now renamed the National Library) shifted to its present premises on Belvedere Estate. The Alipore Mint was also inaugurated the same year.

The locality of Alipore is a pristine mix of stately bungalows and villas with sprawling lawns and gardens, mostly belonging to the industrialists and business elites of the city, together with swank apartments and high rise condominiums, aptly complimented with clean tree lined avenues and roads, lush greenery and low pollution count. Several consulates like those of Russia, Germany, France, Italy and residences of Hon. Consul General of Canada, Denmark, Greece, Peru, etc. are located in Alipore. By the late eighties and nineties other places like New Alipore and Ballygunge competed with Alipore as the most elite areas of Kolkata.

Geography

Visa House (HQ, Visa Group) & Woodland High Apts on Alipore Road

Alipore is located at 22°32′N 88°20′E / 22.53°N 88.33°E / 22.53; 88.33.[1] It has an average elevation of 14 metres (46 feet). Alipore area is bordered by the following roads - AJC Bose Road to the north, D L Khan Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and Alipore Avenue to the South.

Alipore area comprises the following roads & sub localities - Alipore Road, Belvedere Road, Baker Road, Judges Court Road, Burdwan Road, New Road, National Library Avenue, Penn Road, Alipore Park Road, Ashoka Road, Raja Santosh Road and Ronaldshay Road.

Transport

Alipore is connected to all parts of the city by extensive bus services.

Alipore is served by the Majherhat and New Alipore railway stations on the Budge Budge section of Kolkata Suburban Railway.

The Kalighat metro station of the Kolkata Metro as well as the Jatin Das Park station is close to Alipore.

Medical facilities

CMRI Hospital, D H Road
B M Birla Hospital

Some of the best healthcare options in the city are located in Alipore

Educational institutions

Places of interest

Taj Bengal at Belvedere Road

Fine dining, restaurants and eateries

Taj Bengal Hotel, Belvedere Road'

The Enclave, Alipore Road

Others

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alipore.

Kolkata/South travel guide from Wikivoyage

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