Indira Gandhi Sarani

Indira Gandhi Sarani, formerly Red Road, is a road in Central Kolkata that runs from Eden Gardens (Rashmoni Avenue-Gostho Paul Sarani Junction) to Fort William West Gate (Dufferin Road-Outram Road Junction). South of Fort William West Gate, Red Road becomes Casuarina Road/Khiddirpore Road.[1] The road, a wide boulevard, was built in 1820.[2] It bisects the Kolkata Maidan.[3] The British authorities intended for the road to be able to host large parades.[3] The name 'Red Road' was given due to its surfacing.[3]

Republic Day Parade on Red Road

Indira Gandhi Sarani
Former name(s) Red Road
Maintained by Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Location Kolkata, India
Postal code 700021
Nearest Kolkata Metro station Esplanade, Park Street
north end Eden Gardens
south end Fort William West Gate
Construction
Completion 1820

During the Second World War, the road, in the heart of Calcutta, served as a landing strip for Fighter aircraft.[4] The annual Kolkata Marathon starts from the outside of the Rangers Club on Red Road.[5] The name 'Indira Gandhi Sarani' was adopted in 1985.[6]

References
  1. Google maps
  2. Cotton, H.E.A., Calcutta Old and New, 1909/1980, p 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
  3. Robert H. Farquharson (2004). For Your Tomorrow: Canadians and the Burma Campaign, 1941-1945. Trafford. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-4120-1536-3.
  4. "Calcutta Airstrip Again is Street". The Victoria Advocate. 3 December 1945.
  5. "Ninth edition of Kolkata marathon to be held on March 6". NewsX. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  6. P. Thankappan Nair (1987). A history of Calcutta's streets. Firma KLM. p. 420.
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