Kolkata Traders & Hoteliers Prepare To Reopen As India Resumes Bangladesh Visas
Times of India | 12 July 2026
Kolkata: Kolkata’s ‘mini Bangladesh’ is preparing to bounce back to life, with traders, restaurateurs and hoteliers preparing to reopen businesses and restore full services after India’s official resumption of the process for tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens.
Across Marquis Street, Sudder Street, Free School Street, Collin Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road and the adjoining New Market area, the shops and outlets have started renovating, repainting and restocking after some either shut down or curtailed operations since the suspension of tourist visas, following the 2024 unrest in Bangladesh.
Several eateries and retail outlets that shut their doors are now getting ready to welcome customers once again, while hotels that reduced operations because of poor occupancy are preparing to resume full-fledged services.
Among the first signs of the revival is Chittagong Restaurant on Collin Street, which will reopen shortly.
“We started preparations to reopen soon as we heard that the process of issuing visas has resumed. Our regular customers from Bangladesh were like family to us. We hope they will start coming back soon as this entire area is dependent on tourism from the neighbouring nation,” said Mumtaz Iqbal of Chittagong Restaurant.
Nearby, Radhuni, a popular restaurant specialising in Bangladeshi cuisine, is undergoing renovation after remaining shut for more than 18 months.
“Our renovation work is progressing well and we expect to reopen shortly. The return of Bangladeshi tourists will be a good sign for the area. We are looking forward to serving our old customers once more,” said the restaurant’s manager.
Business associations said the visa decision lifted the mood across the area, where a significant share of commerce traditionally depended on visitors from across the border.
Many shops that were vacated earlier are up for rent again. Others are busy renovating their outlets to resume business again.
“We have all suffered immensely over the past two years. Many businesses shut down as there were hardly any tourists. But the news that the Indian govt will be issuing visas has lifted the mood and traders are already preparing,” said Hyder Ali Khan, general secretary of the Free School Street Traders’ Association.
Hotel owners said they were reopening rooms that remained closed due to low demand, while shopkeepers were replenishing inventories in expectation of increased footfall.
“We are cautious yet optimistic,” said a hotel manager in the Marquis Street area. “We do not expect business to return overnight, but the resumption of visas is the biggest positive development,” he added.