Elgin is a residential locality in the Southern part of Kolkata, West Bengal. Its PIN Code is 700020. The locality is well connected to its neighbouring areas such as Shakespeare Sarani Rawdon Street, Mullick Bazar and others. Other than a thriving residential locality, Elgin also offers bustling commercial spaces to the residents.
The locality most likely derives its name from Lord James Bruce Elgin, one of the many Indian Viceroys. Kolkata had been an important colonial center and Elgin stands as a spirited reminder of this past. Over the last many years, the locality has witnessed significant infrastructural growth that has boomed its residential and commercial development. A well-connected framework of transport facilities and civic amenities makes it a favourable area to live in. Further, several cultural landmarks like the Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum are easily accessible from Elgin.
Socially, Elgin offers a vibrant and bustling life. Residents enjoy ready access to lively eateries, shopping complexes and other entertainment centres. Latest developments and a commitment towards future investments make it an upscale residential area in Kolkata.
What’s Good | What Can Be Better |
Wide range of housing facilities | Heavy traffic congestion leads to delayed commutes |
Access to Kolkata Metro | Public waste disposal systems need improvement |
Located in the capital city of Kolkata | Better maintenance of local roads |
Victoria Memorial is roughly 3-4 kilometres away | Occasional power cuts may cause hindrance in daily activity |
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is roughly 20 kilometres away | Rising pollution levels |
Elgin boasts a rapidly developing infrastructure. Residentially, locals enjoy access to a wide range of housing facilities which are well-equipped with modern amenities. The residential areas are well-connected to educational and medical institutes, offering ease of living. Commercially, local establishments and businesses thrived in this locality. Numerous colonial-era buildings are spread across Elgin, boasting the European style of architecture. In terms of connectivity, local roads help connect the residents to nearby areas in Kolkata, Further, the Kolkata Metro ensures an easy daily commute.
Additionally, Elgin is well-connected to several historically and culturally rich getaways. Several entertainment centres and shopping malls make for lively social scenes. Further, despite the largely upscale ambience of the locality, residents enjoy access to a well-spread network of public parks. Overall, these infrastructural facilities along with the many recreational options lend a high livability index to Kolkata’s Elgin locality.
Kolkata is known for its vibrant and versatile culture. The many popular eating joints in Elgin offer a complete platter of Bengali flavours. The following restaurants offer several local and international cuisines in the locality:
Locality | Distance from Elgin | Travel Time | Cab Fare (₹) |
Shakespeare Sarani | 1.0 km | 4 min | ₹ 81 |
Wood Street | 1.0 km | 4 min | ₹ 81 |
Rawdon Street | 1.0 km | 4 min | ₹ 81 |
Park Street Area | 1.5 km | 5 min | ₹ 87 |
Mullick Bazar | 1.6 km | 6 min | ₹ 87 |
Ballygunge | 3.2 km | 11 min | ₹ 107 |
Elgin has gained an overall average rating of 4.5/5. This implies a high level of satisfaction among the residents with the infrastructural facilities in this area. Elgin’s urban atmosphere and upscale residential facilities are the primary reason for its high rating. Locals prefer residing in its premium and well-maintained localities that make it stand out from the rest of the areas in South Kolkata. Additionally. Easy access to all civic amenities also ensures ease of living. On top of it all, ready access to several cultural getaways makes it easy to plan family getaways. Therefore, maintaining a pleasant and balanced lifestyle in this area.
Here are the commonly used road, rail and air routes to visit Elgin from nearby states and cities. `
National Highways play a crucial highway connecting nearby states to Kolkata. Visitors from states like Delhi, U.P., Jharkhand and Bihar can use NH-19, while those coming in from Odisha can use Nh 16 to reach the city and further access Elgin.
Sealdah Railway Station is located in close proximity to Elgin. The railway station connects to nearby states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and others.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is roughly 19-20 kilometres from this locality. The airport offers domestic and international air connectivity to this region.
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road (AJC Bose Road): One of the crucial roads of the city, the AJC Bose Road passes through Elgin and acts as one of its most important road routes. It provides direct access to various key locations within the city, including business centres, educational institutions, and cultural landmarks.
Theatre Road (Shakespeare Sarani): Known for its cultural significance, the Theatre Road lies in close proximity to Elgin. The road features multiple theatres, offices and other landmarks that make it an active and thriving area.
Maa Flyover: The Maa Flyover is readily accessible from Elgin. This channel is known for easing out the locality’s traffic congestion and providing a high-speed connection between the EM Bypass and important areas in South Kolkata.
Other Regional Roads: Roads like Circus Row, Circus Avenue, Rawdon Street and others ensure inter-locality movement within Elgin.
Foremost among the colonial landmarks near Elgin, the Grand Victoria Memorial is only a few kilometres away. This grand white marble building, built in memory of Queen Victoria creates creating a visually stunning experience. As a museum, it houses an impressive collection of artefacts, paintings, and historical documents, offering a rich glimpse into India's colonial past. The sprawling gardens surrounding the memorial further add to its allure. The memorial opens for visitors at 10 in the morning and entry is allowed with minimally priced tickets.
One of the oldest planetariums in Asia, the M.P. Planetarium offers an edu-entertainment outing to the residents of Elgin. The structure of this planetarium is famously an ode to the Buddhist Sanchi Stupa. Their major highlight is the multilingual science shows offered in Bengali, Hindi and English. From Virtual Reality to cosmic exploration, these shows ignite the imagination of the young minds. Residents of Elgin can comfortably reach the planetarium via Shakespeare Sarani Road.
Named after Sir Charles Elliot, who was Lieutenant Governor of Bengal from 1891 to 1895, Elliot Park is one of the most expansive parks near this locality. The well-maintained green spaces and picturesque landscapes make it a refreshing escape from the fast-paced city life. While jogging, walking and cycling tracks are widely used, the key attraction of the park is its large pond. Equipped with a comfortable seating area, Elliot Park is a perfect location for family outings.
St. Paul’s Cathedral attracts believers and visitors alike due to its grand Gothic architecture. The white-coloured, towering exterior offers a fascinating sight with its towering spire and intricate stained glass windows. Additionally, it’s surrounded by well-maintained lush gardens on the outside. On the inside, the opulent nature of the cathedral is re-emphasised with spacious halls and elevated ceilings. The cathedral is an especially exciting visit during Christmas when it rejoices in vibrant lighting and beautiful decorations.
Cricket lovers in Elgin enjoy the advantage of easy access to one of India’s most popular cricket grounds, the Eden Gardens. Residents can take the Circus Avenue road and reach the stadium within a short 20-25 minutes’ drive. During peak cricketing season, the stadium hosts domestic as well as international tournaments. Residents from Elgin can enjoy the adrenaline of live contests and experience intense sporting moments from close quarters.
Elgin is well-connected to other surrounding area, each having their own distinct characteristics. These include neighbourhoods like Shakespeare Sarani, Rawdon Street, Mullick Bazar and Ballygunge.
In contrast to the urban facilities of Elgin, Shakespeare Sarai offers relatively more crowded spaces which are primarily focused on commercial and cultural activities. Rawdon Street, while also residential, is quieter and less commercialized than Elgin, offering a more relaxed environment. Mullick Bazar is an important and vibrant marketplace which can be easily accessed from Elgin. On the other hand, Ballygunge showcases a similarity to Elgin in terms of its residential and social facilities.
Elgin in Kolkata offers a blend of historic charm with modern facilities. It showcases the rich history and recent growth of the city, all at once. Residents prefer it for its affluent environment and high-end residential spaces. A well-connected infrastructure, vibrant social life and widespread recreational options make up for an overall holistic package.
