Kolkata is one of India’s Most Livable Metro Cities

Kolkata (also called the city of joy’) is the cultural capital of India and one of the oldest metropolitan cities of India. Simultaneously, it draws significant attention as one of the most livable metro cities in India.


In general, Cities can be envisaged as a kernel of productivity as well as opportunities. With this, the Indian metro cities can be visualized as a testing ground for infrastructure development, cultural progress, fostering of civic amenities, livability index, and expansion of housing and so on.

For the nation’s smart economic growth, the metro cities also act as chief investment basin for players from the nation as well as from abroad. Kolkata stands at the forefront of all of these and evolves as a leading metropolitan city pioneering in livability. There are myriad reasons that can be attributed to the same.

### Safety at its best

Kolkata is the safest city to live in India. As per recent reports from the National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata is the safest city in terms of crime against women. The government has also internalized a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards crime against women.

As a direct corollary, the incidents of crime against women are significantly declining. As opposed to the capital city Delhi where the crime rate is higher, Kolkata takes the full pride to provide its citizens a foolproof safety net and makes it one of the peaceful places to live in India.

### Unparalleled affordability

Despite being a metropolitan city, Kolkata is the best and cheapest city to live in India. The cost of living in Kolkata is minimal as compared to other metro cities and this drives people from across India to come and settle here. In terms of food, accommodation, and transport, the city offers you maximum affordability.

You don’t have to worry about real estate prices if you wish to settle down in Kolkata. As per recent research reports, Kolkata has the lowest average capital values as compared to other metro cities. The affordable housing segment below is Rs. 40 lakhs in maximum demand here. In comparison, in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the average ticket size of a 2BHK apartment is Rs. 65 lakhs.

If you are visiting Kolkata, you are in luck because it won't hurt your pocket. Travelling in metro rail is cheaper here than any other metros. You will also find an array of other cost-effective transport modes like auto, trams, rickshaws, and ferries among others. Nowhere in any metro cities of India will you find local transport this cheap.

### Robust development

Kolkata is developing at a rapid pace and in the current scenario, it is one of the top developed cities in India. As per the report by a London based global management consulting group AT Kearney, Kolkata is one of the fastest-growing cities of the world based on parameters like business activities, human capital, exchange of information, cultural experience and political engagement.

Recently, the Bengal Government has sanctioned Rs. 18,000 crores for infrastructure development projects. This includes flyover construction, roads and bridges, power, drinking water, irrigation and affordable housing. Big IT companies are also coming to the city to expand their operations thereby creating new job opportunities in the city.

### Cultural extravaganza

Kolkata has a unique ethos. It is a city where contemporary hues and heritage seem to amalgamate considerably. Kolkata has been at the epicenter of the cultural renaissance that ushered in India in the 19th century. Who does not know the Nobel Laureate and luminary of Indian literature Rabindranath Tagore whose path-breaking work in poetry, music, and painting resonates in the city till date with the utmost vigor.

Famous authors like Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and so on are bright stars on the sky of Bengali literature. If you think about music, the immediate thing that will strike your mind is Rabindra Sangeet. Tagore composed more than 2000 songs that are uniquely intrinsic to the culture of Kolkata. Ravi Shankar, another music maestro is associated with Kolkata through thick and thin.

The famous dancer Uday Shankar who has taken the stance of amalgamating western and Indian dance forms had Kolkata as his stage. The contribution of Kolkata to the trajectory of Hindi music has been phenomenal. Legends like Kishore Kumar, S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, and Manna Dey have significantly enriched Indian film music with their dynamic contribution.

Festivals are the heart and soul of Kolkata. During its festivals, the city comes alive in vibrant colors. If you are in Kolkata, the one festival you cannot afford to miss is the Durga Puja. Durga Puja is Kolkata's biggest festival where the whole city oozes out with great joy and celebration. People from all over the world come to Kolkata to witness this one of a kind extravaganza.

In essence, Kolkata with its awe-inspiring attributes can be contemplated as elements of great living. So come and dwell in Kolkata.