Making Kolkata more appealing to all, the WBHIDCO way

Kolkata, which at one point of time, had lost its Mojo for some reasons, now under the current government and under the stewardship of the chief minister, appears to have rediscovered its metropolitan status and is going through a renaissance. New townships, construction boom, corporates flying back for trained and educated human resources, roads, flyovers and green lanterns all point to the fact. Speaking exclusively to Bizz Buzz, Debashis Sen, Chairman and Managing Director, West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO), the organisation responsible for shaping up and executing plans for giving the city a facelift, shares his thoughts.

How an old city like Kolkata be given a facelift...what are your general views?

Old cities have an old-world charm that must be preserved and highlighted, somewhat like the major European cities. Kolkata is already much brighter, cleaner and greener with the inspirational leadership of Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal. Old billboards are being removed, street furniture is given an annual paint and clean-up, roads are swept properly, and well illuminated streets sparkle in the evening. Many visitors have commented that the transformation of Kolkata in the last five years is just great.

It is believed that an outsider gets the first impression of the city when one gets down at the airport and drives down to the city. In Kolkata's case, New Town plays an important role as it connects the city with the airport. How did (and still do) plan New Town's development ever since you took over as the WBHIDCO chairman?

First impressions matter. The State government understands this and has been putting in a sustained effort in trying to make New Town its showpiece. New Town is the Singapore of Kolkata. It is a Green City, It has the best infrastructure. It has IT, financial and educational hubs. It has a fine work-life balance. It is becoming a leading MICE destination of South Asia. It is among the 100 smart cities of India.

There is the largest urban park in India, a 480-acre Eco Park where one can experience Seven Wonders, Japanese Forest and Sculpture Garden. Rose Garden, Butterfly Garden and Heliconia Garden. Mask Garden, Tea Garden and Herbal Garden. Duo-cycling, boating and zorbing. Rabi Aranya, Musical Fountain and Mother's Wax Museum. Toy train, Cafe Ekante and Children's Park. Most of all, clean air, green vistas and blue water provides a fine relaxing experience Eco Park. No wonder, it has witnessed 10 million footfalls since its inception five years ago.

How did the idea of rolling out a restaurant brand- 'Cafe Ekante' and that too by a government organisation, come into being?

The idea of setting up a set of beautiful lake-facing cottages in the seven-acre island on the huge lake of Eco Park was the brainchild of the Chief Minister. In order to serve the guests of the cottages (there are 22 rooms) kitchen and dining set up was a necessity. Café Ekante was born where visitors of Eco Park come by a boat to café coffee and fine dining. Subsequently, a glass house banquet, a houseboat restaurant and an open-air café have been added.

Restaurant business is getting increasingly tougher, challenging and competitive by the day, given the consumers' increasing health consciousness, brand consciousness and increasingly larger options before the consumers. Don't you think that it was hugely challenging for a state government (or state government organisation) to get into restaurant business at this point in time?

The objective was to promote the tourism potential of Bengal, of Kolkata, of New Town, of Eco Park. This was a bit like tourist lodges and forest cottages run by State Governments, each such resort having its own dining. In fact, before Hidco started operating Café Ekante and the Ekante Cottages, several notices inviting expression of interest from established operators were invited. I personally showed the location and site of Eco Island to few five-star hotel management. These, however, failed to elicit positive responses. One reason was that Eco Park was still developing and nobody knew that it would be such a major touristic destination that it is now. Eco Park has crossed one crore footfalls within five years of its opening. In any case, I can say that after the first year, Café Ekante has been making operating profit each year till now, thanks to the professional way in which it is being operated and the increasing popularity of Eco Park with its Misti Hub, Seven Wonders, Greenery and the Mothers' Wax Museum close by.

Could you please throw some light on "Misti Hub"?

Misti Hub is a 'shop-in-shop' concept. All eleven units in it are branded established sweet shops of Bengal. Hidco has provided the ambience, the envelope and created a story around sweets of Bengal. For this, the occupying shops pay rent. The idea originates from the fact that quite often business visitors departing Kolkata look for Bengal Rasagolla, Misti Doi or Nolen Gurer Sandesh as carry-on gifts or for their families after a trip to Kolkata. Gifts to State Guests also include these delicacies. Misti Hub allows getting these in the freshest form to the destination, being on the way to airport, just five minutes ahead. Somewhat like Biriyani shops on way to Hyderabad Airport. Traditional great sweet shops of Kolkata are scattered all around the city and for the first time in the history of Bengal Sweets, there have been brought together. Like, the Misti Hub is on the left side of the Major Arterial Road towards the airport, located five minutes' drive away.

How do you plan to ensure and monitor the quality, health & hygiene aspects?

The products belong to established brands of Bengal, some brands that have been there for a century or more. Hidco will form an association of the shops to take care of common facilities after some time. Hidco will have a official inspector visit the premises from time to time to ensure hygiene, cleanliness and food-safe practices. A professional housekeeping agency is already engaged to keep the premises neat, clean and sparkling.