Sector V now has a public square. A 50m stretch on Street no. 25, from Infinity Benchmark to RDB Boulevard buildings has been turned into a pedestrian plaza. And it is visually so stunning that it has turned into a hotspot for creating social media reels.
The area looks absolutely transformed. Tall crystal obelisks stand sentry on both sides and along the walking spaces in between. Seating spaces have been created at various angles facing the obelisks and the flow of pedestrian traffic. Each obelisk carries an LED screen on which currently a Bengal tourism advertisement is playing on a loop, bringing to the technology hub glimpses across the state, from wild Sunderbans to ornate Bishnupur. The road surface has been relaid with seamless granite flooring on which colourful lights reflect from the screens towering all around. There are over 200 LED ground lights, 40 PAR lights and 300m LED strip lights used which are programmed to synchronise with the change of lights on the obelisks, creating a dazzling and high-tech feel.
“The place not only has eateries all around but also has the area’s only cinema hall. We have been at it for three years. This small stretch was identified as each of the adjacent buildings has an alternative route for vehicles to enter its premises. We sat repeatedly with the stakeholders from the buildings as vehicular traffic would have to be blocked in front of their properties. Along with the traffic police, we carried out experiments for weeks to see if any inconvenience would be caused by the blockage and only then could we go ahead,” said an official of the Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority, which has built this pedestrian plaza.
Minister Firhad Hakim inaugurates the pedestrian plaza in presence of minister and local MLA Sujit Bose as NDITA officials look on
The obelisks were inspired by the Washington Monument while the vibe of the area is of Times Square in New York, known for its gigantic billboards. “We will earn revenue from these screens and product launches. The stipulated charge for showing an advertisement here is Rs 1.5 lakh per month with each ad being displayed for 10 seconds per minute every minute, from 11 am to 9pm, with a break in between when the screens have to be rested. There is a raised platform where cultural events may take place free of cost. “The organisers will have to bring their own sound or they may connect to our existing system with 16 acoustic speakers with surround-sound effect. If demand is too high, our security guards will take advance bookings,” the official said.
How it happened
Work had started two-and-half years ago. “The idea was to create an urban space on the lines of a plaza in European cities, where people congregate and socialise,” said urban planner and designer Debmalya Guha of Pace Consultants, which conceptualised the project. “This is possibly the first time in the city that a bustling street has been closed to traffic as traditionally in our planning, vehicles get primacy.”
There are retractable bollard barriers at the entry points on both sides which block vehicles but can allow in fire engines and other emergency vehicles when required.
There were some stalls on the streetsides which functioned as extension counters of the eateries nearby. “They understood the concept and realised that they would gain by it. So there was no problem persuading them to move,” an NDITA official said. The biggest hurdle, he added, was removing the underground utility lines before the foundation could be built.
Place to play after work
The opening took place on September 12. “We wanted to give the young generation a place to chill after work. Many of them have migrated to other cities where they are used to staying out late for entertainment. We are creating the infrastructure so that they can come back here and have the same quality of life. The tech township is attracting large IT firms which are opening offices here, where lakhs will come to work. So more such entertainment spots will be created for them,” said Firhad Hakim, the minister for urban development and municipal affairs. Fire and emergency services minister and local MLA Sujit Bose appealed to hawkers to keep the area free of encroachments.
The area is already buzzing with visitors. “This is a great hangout zone and completely free too. We had come to RDB Cinema to see Jawan. We stay behind Technopolis as tenants. So long there was no such public space in the area,” said Dipam Sarkar, a student of University of Engineering and Management in Sector V, who was seated at a corner with his classmates Ujjal and Jyotishman Gope.
“Our sales have increased in the weekend as the place is attracting a crowd, especially families, on Sundays,” said a salesman at the patisserie Crazy4Cakes, which faces the plaza.
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