College Street Kolkata makeover: Oxford Street model, cycle zones planned
Synopsis
Kolkata's College Street — home to one of the world's largest second-hand book markets — is being reimagined as a pedestrian-friendly literary precinct modelled on London's Oxford Street, with cycle stands, book cafes, vintage lamp-posts, and a no-vehicle zone. The BJP-led West Bengal government's minister personally walked the street on 22 July to assess the ground reality before finalising the plan.
Key Takeaways
Minister Agnimitra Paul inspected College Street, Kolkata on 22 July to review an Oxford Street-style urban makeover.
A section of the street will become a no-vehicle zone , with cycling and battery-operated cars for the elderly as the only permitted modes.
Book cafes , vintage lamp-posts, reading benches, and free Wi-Fi are planned as part of the redesign.
The main College Street carriageway will not be altered in the current phase, as it remains a critical traffic corridor.
Bookstores and shopkeepers will be relocated to uniformly designed stalls to preserve the street's commercial identity.
The initiative is framed as a cultural push to draw younger generations back to books and away from digital screens.
West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul on Wednesday, 22 July conducted a ground inspection of College Street in Kolkata, reviewing a proposed transformation of the iconic literary district along the lines of London's Oxford Street. The visit, undertaken alongside Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner Smita Pandey and senior officials, marks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government's first public walkthrough of the ambitious urban renewal plan.
What the Makeover Plan Involves
Under the proposal, a designated section of College Street will be converted into a no-vehicle zone, with only bicycles and battery-operated cars permitted — the latter reserved for elderly visitors. Bicycles will be available at dedicated stands for those who wish to cycle through the area, while pedestrians will have unhindered access to wide, redesigned footpaths.
The streetscape is planned to feature vintage lamp-posts, reading benches, and free Wi-Fi — drawing aesthetic inspiration from Oxford Street's heritage character. Bookstores and notebook shops will be retained and relocated into uniformly designed stalls, and book cafes are proposed as a new addition to the precinct.
What the Minister Said
Speaking during the inspection, Minister Agnimitra Paul framed the initiative as a cultural intervention as much as an urban one. 'This special initiative is being taken to get the next generation out of the addiction to mobile and digital world and turn them towards books again,' she said.
On the logistics, Paul elaborated: 'No one will come with a bicycle. Everyone will take a bicycle from the bicycle stand here. And those who want to walk will be able to do that. There will be battery-operated cars for the elderly.' She also confirmed that the main College Street carriageway — a critical traffic artery — will not be touched in the current phase, with shop relocation limited to side sections.
Why College Street Matters
College Street is widely regarded as the intellectual and literary heart of Kolkata. Its pavements host one of the world's largest second-hand book markets, with hundreds of stalls offering everything from rare first editions and academic texts to competitive exam guides and second-hand novels. The surrounding neighbourhood is home to some of India's most storied educational institutions — University of Calcutta, Presidency University, Sanskrit College and University, Hindu School, and Hare School — cementing its status as a generational hub for students and scholars alike.
The legendary Indian Coffee House, a decades-old gathering point for writers, artists, professors, and political thinkers, remains an anchor of the area's cultural identity.
Scope and Next Steps
According to the plan, the entire sidewalk network and road surface of the designated zone will be redesigned in a style consistent with the Oxford Street aesthetic. Surrounding bookstores will be unified under a common design theme. Officials have indicated that shopkeepers will be provided with purpose-built stalls of similar dimensions and appearance, aiming to preserve the commercial character of the street while improving its visual order.
No formal timeline for completion has been announced. The government is expected to share detailed project specifications following the inspection findings.
Point of View
While College Street's identity is rooted in its chaotic, democratic book bazaar. The risk is that a design-led makeover sanitises the very organic character that makes the street irreplaceable. Relocating pavement booksellers into uniform stalls has, in other Indian cities, led to gradual commercial displacement. The government's stated goal of pulling youth away from screens is laudable, but whether curated benches and Wi-Fi achieve that — or simply attract Instagram footfall — is an open question that the plan does not yet answer.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the College Street Kolkata makeover plan?
The West Bengal government plans to redevelop a section of College Street in Kolkata along the lines of London's Oxford Street, creating a no-vehicle zone with cycle stands, book cafes, vintage lamp-posts, reading benches, and free Wi-Fi. Bookstores and shops will be relocated to uniformly designed stalls while preserving the street's literary character.
Who is leading the College Street redevelopment?
West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul is leading the initiative. She conducted a ground inspection on 22 July alongside KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey and other officials, speaking with pedestrians and shopkeepers during the walkthrough.
Will the main College Street road be closed to traffic?
No — the main College Street carriageway will not be altered in the current phase, as it serves as an important traffic corridor. The no-vehicle zone will apply only to a designated section, where bicycles and battery-operated cars for the elderly will be the only permitted modes of movement.
Why is College Street significant?
College Street is considered the intellectual and literary heart of Kolkata, hosting one of the world's largest second-hand book markets. It is flanked by institutions including the University of Calcutta, Presidency University, and Sanskrit College, and is home to the historic Indian Coffee House, a longstanding gathering place for writers, artists, and academics.
When will the College Street makeover be completed?
No formal completion timeline has been announced. The government is expected to release detailed project specifications following the findings of Minister Agnimitra Paul's 22 July inspection.
