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{{Short description|Neighbourhood in Kolkata, West Bengal, India}}
{{About|the neighbourhood of Kolkata|the town in Purulia district|Barabazar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement


| name = Burrabazar 
| official_name =
| other_name = Barabazar
| settlement_type = Neighbourhood in Kolkata (Calcutta)
| image_skyline = File:A view of Burrabazar and Mahatma Gandhi Road.jpg
| image_caption = Mahatma Gandhi Road
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Kolkata
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kolkata
| coordinates = {{coord|22.582|N|88.352|E|region:IN-{{IndAbbr|[[West Bengal]]}}|display=inline,title}}
| coor_type = 
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = City
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kolkata]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[Kolkata Municipal Corporation|KMC]] wards
| subdivision_name4 = [[Ward No. 41, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|41]], [[Ward No. 42, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|42]], [[Ward No. 43, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|43]], [[Ward No. 44, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|44]], [[Ward No. 45, Kolkata Municipal Corporation|45]]
| subdivision_type5 = [[Kolkata Metro|Metro Station]]
| subdivision_name5 = [[MG Road metro station (Kolkata)|MG Road]] and [[Mahakaran metro station|Mahakaran]]
| subdivision_type6 = [[Kolkata Circular Railway]]
| subdivision_name6 = [[Burra Bazar railway station|Burrabazar]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| government_type =
| government_footnotes =
| leader_title = MLA
| leader_name = [[Smita Bakshi]]
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 
| area_land_km2 = 
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft = 36
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_min_m = 
| population_footnotes =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_note = 
| timezone = IST
| utc_offset = +5:30
| timezone_DST =
| utc_offset_DST = 
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 700001, 700007
| area_code = +91 33
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Kolkata Uttar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kolkata Uttar]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Jorasanko (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jorasanko]] and [[Chowrangee (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chowrangee]]
| website =
}}
'''Burrabazar''' (also spelt as '''Bara Bazar''') is a neighbourhood of Central-North [[Kolkata]], in [[Kolkata district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].

== Bazar Kolkata ==
[[File:A view of Burrabazar and Mahatma Gandhi Road.jpg|thumb|A view of Burrabazar and [[MG Road, Kolkata|Mahatma Gandhi Road]] (formerly Harrison Road) in Kolkata.]]In the 18th century, the Sutanuti haat was gradually replaced by Bazar Kolkata. The market was covered nearly 500 [[bigha]]s, while the surrounding residential area extended over another 400 bighas. Prominent families included the Seths and Basaks, along with gold merchants such as Mullicks, whose wealth and social prominence were widely note.<ref name="Catchcal">{{cite web| url =http://www.catchcal.com/kaleidoscope/places_to_visit/burrabazar.asp| title =Burrabazar| access-date =2008-02-08| publisher =Catchcal.com.| archive-date =23 February 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080223104316/http://www.catchcal.com/kaleidoscope/places_to_visit/burrabazar.asp| url-status =live}}</ref> The area also housed merchants of more modest means, for example, the neighborhood around present-day Kalakar Street was known as [[Dhakapattys]], home to the Sahas, cloth merchants originally from [[Dhaka]]. The Sheths and Basaks maintained close tied with major cloth-producing centres, including Dhaka, [[Murshidabad]], and [[Cossimbazar]].

== Police section house ==
In 1888, one of the 25 newly organized police section houses was located in Burrabazar.<ref>Nair, P.Thankappan, ''The Growth and Development of Old Calcutta'', in ''Calcutta, the Living City'', Vol. I, pp. 18-19, Edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, Oxford University Press, 1995 edition.</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map 
| coord = {{coord|22.582|88.352}} 
| zoom = 15 
| label = Burrabazar
| mark-coord = {{coord|22.582|88.352}}
| label-pos = right
| float = left
}}

===Police district===
Burrabazar police station is part of the [[Divisions of Kolkata Police|Central division]] of [[Kolkata Police]]. It is located at 8, Mullick Street, Kolkata-700007.<ref name="police">{{cite web |url = http://www.kolkatapolice.gov.in/division.asp?ID=1&Division=C |title = Kolkata Police |work = Central Division |publisher = KP |access-date = 9 March 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180310074229/http://www.kolkatapolice.gov.in/division.asp?ID=1&Division=C |archive-date = 10 March 2018 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[Taltala#Police district|Taltala Women police station]] covers all police districts under the jurisdiction of the Central division i.e. Bowbazar, Burrabazar, Girish Park, Hare Street, Jorasanko, Muchipara, New Market, Taltala and Posta.<ref name="police"/>

==Administration==
[[File:Rabindra Sarani - Kolkata 2015-08-11 1982.JPG|thumb|Rabindra Sarani is considered as an extension of Burrabazar]]
With crime a major problem in Burrabazar till 2008, the police station<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kolkatapolice.org/section.asp?PSID=4&Typ=PS |title=Bowbazar Police Station |access-date=2008-02-08 |publisher=Kolkata Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416003928/http://www.kolkatapolice.org/Section.asp?PSID=4&Typ=PS |archive-date=16 April 2007 }}</ref> had a rough time.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080104/jsp/calcutta/story_8740129.jsp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080105012558/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080104/jsp/calcutta/story_8740129.jsp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 January 2008 | title = Five on loot spree in Burrabazar flat| access-date = 2008-02-08 | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=4 January 2008}}</ref>

More than 50,000 merchants from across the country have been attracted to Burrabazar because of the immense business opportunities but musclemen have followed them to the trade hub. From providing protection to businessmen and transporting their black money to running a satta (form of betting) racket and settling property and payment disputes, these men, mostly from the neighbouring states, start off as confidantes of the trading community. In a few years, they break free and form their own gangs to extort money and engage in other forms of criminal activities.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070208/asp/calcutta/story_7346486.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235921/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070208/asp/calcutta/story_7346486.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 November 2007 | title = Crime shadow on trade hub – Musclemen from neighbouring states run extortion, robbery & gambling rackets in Burrabazar | access-date = 2008-02-08 | last = Siddiqui | first = Imran Ahmed | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=8 February 2007}}</ref>

Even small traders coming to Burrabazar face problems, but of a different sort. More than 1,000 cyclists cross [[Howrah Bridge]] everyday to make purchases at Burrabazar. Most of these are small traders, from across the Hooghly River and they carry back goods for sale in their localities. Such people are regularly harassed by policemen on duty and let off against small payments.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050126/asp/calcutta/story_4298415.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050321163924/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050126/asp/calcutta/story_4298415.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 March 2005 | title = Rights rap & probe – Traders blow the whistle on cop coercion | access-date = 2008-02-08 | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=26 January 2005}}</ref>

===Traffic===
[[File:Brabourne Road Flyover - Kolkata 2011-09-17 00578.jpg|thumb|Brabourne Road Flyover, Burrabazar]]
Traffic in the area, including the approach road to [[Howrah Bridge]], has been a long-standing problem for people passing through the area. Pedestrians are forced to walk on roads along with vehicles. While lorries, taxis, vans and three-wheel goods carriers crowd the main roads, slow-moving vehicles like cycle-vans and carts clog the side-streets. A large number of governmental public buses and private buses ply through Burrabazar. [[Trams in Kolkata|Kolkata tram]] route no. 18 serves Burrabazar (via [[MG Road, Kolkata|MG Road]]).<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050215/asp/calcutta/story_4378176.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050319002206/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050215/asp/calcutta/story_4378176.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 March 2005 | title = Traffic trouble at business hub – Burrabazar traders complain of administratirve apathy | access-date = 2008-02-08 | last = Gomes | first = Julius | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=15 February 2005}}</ref> '''Braborne Road Flyover''' (1.2 km stretch) connects Howrah Bridge with Braborne Road in Burrabazar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Braborne Road Flyover|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/flyover-bones-laid-bare-by-neglect/cid/1666907|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624100721/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/flyover-bones-laid-bare-by-neglect/cid/1666907|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Unsafe buildings===
On 31 March 2016, a [[Overpass|flyover]] on [[Vivekananda Road]] near Burrabazar collapsed, killing 22 people and injuring many more.<ref>{{cite news|title=22 killed, scores trapped, after Kolkata flyover comes crashing down|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/18-killed-hundreds-trapped-after-kolkata-flyover-comes-crashing-down/story-oTjxQCeOLvjRlR1rPCMelJ.html|access-date=31 March 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=31 March 2016|archive-date=1 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401060602/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/18-killed-hundreds-trapped-after-kolkata-flyover-comes-crashing-down/story-oTjxQCeOLvjRlR1rPCMelJ.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fire hazards===
Along with buildings in danger of collapsing, the fire services department has fixed its gaze on structures in Burrabazar that can catch fire any moment because of faulty wiring. According to fire service officials, most of the 50-odd fires that broke out in the trade hub in 2005 were caused by short circuits, a consequence of faulty connections. At least 500 buildings in Burrabazar can be described as fire hazards. A disaster can strike any day. There are numerous building with hundreds of temporary electrical connections. Most tenants have drawn up temporary connections, [[ignoring all rules]]. These illegal and haphazard connections often lead to short circuits and fire.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060306/asp/calcutta/story_5926439.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060525194004/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060306/asp/calcutta/story_5926439.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 25 May 2006 | title = Trade hub houses wired for fire | access-date = 2008-02-08 | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=6 March 2006}}</ref>

According to fire brigade officials, "It is generally believed that there are more fires during [[Kali puja]]. However, the number of fires during pujas has gone down considerably in recent times due to imposition of the fire-safety norms.<ref name="Business Standard">{{cite news |title=Ahead of Durga Puja, Bagree Market traders stare at gloom as fire guts biz |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ahead-of-durga-puja-bagree-market-traders-stare-at-gloom-as-fire-guts-biz-118091700904_1.html |access-date=4 October 2018 |newspaper=Business Standard |date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004225825/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ahead-of-durga-puja-bagree-market-traders-stare-at-gloom-as-fire-guts-biz-118091700904_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There used to be around 15 fires during [[Durga puja]] and over 100 fires during Kali puja. In 2005, there was only one fire during Durga puja and no fires at all during Kali puja".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060130/asp/calcutta/story_5779444.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060208170258/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060130/asp/calcutta/story_5779444.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 8 February 2006 | title = Pandal blazes on the wane | access-date = 2008-02-08 | newspaper = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=30 January 2006}}</ref>

In January 2008, fire ravaged Nandram market in Burrabazar for nearly a week. More than 1,200 shops went up in flames. Three hundred fire fighters and 54 fire tenders were sent to fight the fire. More than 1,000 people, who live in neighbouring residential apartments, were evacuated. Traffic in the area was thrown out of gear.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/4-000-shops-gutted-in-kolkata-fire/story-ykn2tt04IEAJajbENOJr1L.html | title = 4,000 shops gutted in Kolkata fire | access-date = 2020-02-04 | publisher = Hindustan times, 12 January 2008 | archive-date = 21 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210621143756/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/4-000-shops-gutted-in-kolkata-fire/story-ykn2tt04IEAJajbENOJr1L.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/over-2-500-shops-gutted-in-central-kolkata-fire/534488 | title = Over 2, 500 shops gutted in central Kolkata fire | access-date = 2020-02-04 | publisher = Outlook, 12 January 2008 | archive-date = 16 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210616205434/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/over-2-500-shops-gutted-in-central-kolkata-fire/534488 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Fires are regular features in Burrabazar. In January 2000, rows of shops were gutted at Manohar Das Katra. In December 2002, there was fire in the wholesale market of woollen goods. In April 2003, fire struck Satyanarayan Park AC market. In September 2004 there was fire in a sari shop in Hari Ram Goenka Street. In July 2005, there was fire at a hosiery warehouse, off Kalakar Street. In September 2005, there was fire in a Jackson Lane warehouse filled with plastic and paper. In March 2006, there was fire in a bank on Ezra Street.<ref name = "Telegraph1">{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080120/jsp/calcutta/story_8804334.jsp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080124120247/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080120/jsp/calcutta/story_8804334.jsp | url-status = dead | archive-date = 24 January 2008 | title = We didn’t start the fire| access-date = 2008-02-08 | last = Roy | first = Subhajoy | others = With inputs from Deepankar Ganguly | work = The Telegraph| location=Calcutta, India | date=20 January 2008}}</ref>

A fire devastated the five floors of Bagree Market in September 2018, affecting some 500 traders, who lost 2-5 billion rupees, and about 3,000 staff.<ref name="Business Standard"/> The [[All India Federation of Tax Practitioners]] organised a free helpline for the traders who lost their documents and found it difficult to prepare their accounts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bravehearts who fought blaze |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bravehearts-who-fought-blaze/cid/1669724 |access-date=4 October 2018 |publisher=Telegraph India |date=21 September 2018 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616172928/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bravehearts-who-fought-blaze/cid/1669724 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{commons category}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Arabber]]
* [[Bara Bazar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]]
* [[Bazaar]]
* [[Bazaari]]
* [[Hawker centre]] (Asia) a centre where street food is sold
* [[Haat bazaar]]
* [[Peddler]]
* [[Retail]]
* [[Street vendor]]
* [[Street food]]
}}

==References==
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160925021430/http://shop.godrejappliances.com/]
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Kolkata/North Kolkata}}

{{Kolkata neighbourhoods}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Shopping districts and streets in India]]
[[Category:Economy of Kolkata]]

Burrabazar - Revision history

Tanu14 at 10:01, 28 January 2026