Kolkata’s ‘Mini Bangladesh’ Suffers ₹1,000 Crore Business Loss Amid Drop in Bangladeshi Footfall

Kolkata’s vibrant ‘Mini Bangladesh’ enclave, located around Free School Street, Marquis Street, and the New Market area, is reeling under a severe economic downturn, marking the first anniversary of the political upheaval in Bangladesh. A year after travel restrictions and visa curbs sharply curtailed Bangladeshi tourist arrivals, the area has witnessed an estimated business loss of over ₹1,000 crore.

Once bustling with Bangladeshi visitors seeking shopping, healthcare, and leisure, the area is now nearly deserted. Traders and hoteliers say the daily revenue—previously pegged at ₹3 crore—has dwindled drastically. Businesses such as hotels, restaurants, currency exchange centers, and medical tourism services, all heavily dependent on cross-border clientele, have suffered immensely. Nearly 40% of small eateries and shops have shut down, while larger establishments report a drop in business by up to 80%.

Many operators had taken loans post-pandemic to revamp their services in anticipation of continued tourist flow. However, the sudden collapse has left them burdened with EMIs and rising debts. Some report having to pay up to ₹1.5 lakh per month despite minimal or no income. The informal sector, including drivers, tour guides, and local vendors, has also taken a massive hit, with some now surviving on as few as five local bookings a month.

The downturn follows the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh and subsequent visa restrictions imposed by India. These developments have severely impacted Kolkata’s cross-border economic and cultural ties. As local businesses mark one year since the upheaval, many express uncertainty about recovery