A fresh wave of violence in Dhaka and other Bangladeshi cities has cast a shadow of tension and anxiety over the many Bangladeshi tourists currently staying in central Kolkata. The escalating situation back home has prompted numerous visitors to closely monitor developments and even consider cutting their Indian stay short.
'Mini Bangladesh' Hub Feels the Tremors
The heart of this concern beats in and around Marquis Street, Free School Street, and Collin Street — an area informally dubbed 'Mini Bangladesh' due to its high concentration of hotels, guest houses, eateries, and travel agencies catering primarily to Bangladeshi nationals. Most of these tourists are in Kolkata on medical visas, seeking treatment for various ailments.
"The situation in Dhaka was tense for the past few days, and this fresh spell of violence is deeply concerning," shared Mujibur Rahman, who arrived in Kolkata early Friday for a family member's medical treatment. His sentiment echoes widely among the community, with many fearing the situation could deteriorate further, impacting both family safety and cross-border movement between the two nations.
Business Recovery Under Threat Again
The timing of this unrest is particularly damaging for local businesses. The tourist inflow from Bangladesh had only just begun showing signs of recovery since October, following a severe slump lasting nearly 15 months. A previous dip in July, driven by political unrest and economic stress in Bangladesh, had left hotels, guest houses, money exchange counters, and transport operators in the area struggling to survive.
The recent improvement in occupancy and footfall, largely fueled by medical tourism, now faces a fresh setback. Traders and hotel owners fear the fragile recovery could be disrupted once again. "Cancellations or early departures would directly impact business that depends heavily on Bangladeshi visitors," explained a concerned hotelier from the area.
Families in a Fix, Travel Plans in Flux
On the ground, the uncertainty is palpable. Several tourists were seen consulting travel agents about rescheduling or advancing their return tickets. Small groups gathered outside hotels and tea stalls, discussing news from home and staying in constant touch with worried family members.
For those travelling with children, the anxiety is multiplied. Amin Islam, a resident of Khulna visiting with his wife and two daughters, stated that safety concerns were paramount for his family. "I am praying the situation stabilises in the next couple of days," said another visitor, Suman Mondal, voicing the collective hope for calm.
While local business owners are trying to reassure their guests, the worry is undeniable. "We have reassured our guests that they are safe in Kolkata and that there is no reason for panic here," said the owner of a Collin Street guest house. "But uncertainty back home naturally affects their plans and our business." The community now watches and waits, hoping for peace to return across the border.
