Indira Gandhi Sarani, formerly Red Road, is a road in Central Kolkata that runs from Eden Gardens (Rashmoni Avenue-Gostho Paul Sarani Junction) to Fort William West Gate (Dufferin Road-Outram Road Junction). South of Fort William West Gate, Red Road becomes Casuarina Road/Khiddirpore Road.[1] The road, a wide boulevard, was built in 1820.[2] It bisects the Kolkata Maidan.[3] The British authorities intended for the road to be able to host large parades.[3] The name 'Red Road' was given due to its surfacing.[3]
 | |
| Former name(s) | Red Road |
|---|---|
| Maintained by | Kolkata Municipal Corporation |
| Location | Kolkata, India |
| Postal code | 700021 |
| Nearest Kolkata Metro station | Esplanade, Park Street |
| north end | Eden Gardens |
| south end | Fort William West Gate |
| Construction | |
| Completion | 1820 |
During the Second World War, the road, in the heart of Calcutta, served as a landing strip for Fighter aircraft.[4] The annual Kolkata Marathon starts from the outside of the Rangers Club on Red Road.[5] The name 'Indira Gandhi Sarani' was adopted in 1985.[6]
References
edit- ^ Google maps
- ^ Cotton, H.E.A., Calcutta Old and New, 1909/1980, p 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- ^ a b c Robert H. Farquharson (2004). For Your Tomorrow: Canadians and the Burma Campaign, 1941-1945. Trafford. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-4120-1536-3.
- ^ "Calcutta Airstrip Again is Street". The Victoria Advocate. 3 December 1945.
- ^ "Ninth edition of Kolkata marathon to be held on March 6". NewsX. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ P. Thankappan Nair (1987). A history of Calcutta's streets. Firma KLM. p. 420.