Subhas Sarobar is a large artificial lake and public recreational area located in the eastern part of

Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...

, West Bengal, India. Also known locally as Dhakuria Lake (not to be confused with

Rabindra Sarobar Rabindra Sarobar (formerly known as Dhakuria Lake) is an artificial lake, garden and park in South Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. The name also refers to the area surrounding the lake. It is flanked by Southern Avenue to the nor ...

in south Kolkata), it is one of the city's prominent water bodies and green spaces. The lake is named after

Subhas Chandra Bose Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945) was an Indian independence movement, Indian nationalist whose defiance of British raj, British authority in India made him a hero among many Indians, but his wartime alliances with ...

, a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement. The lake complex covers approximately 73 acres, including the water body and the surrounding parkland. It is maintained by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). The lake is a popular spot for morning walkers, joggers, and nature enthusiasts. It also serves as a site for various cultural and religious activities, including Chhath Puja, attracting thousands of devotees annually.

Location

Subhas Sarobar is situated in the

Beliaghata Beliaghata, also known as Beleghata (বেলেঘাটা), is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right ...

area, adjacent to EM Bypass, a major thoroughfare in Kolkata.

History

Originally a natural depression, the area was developed into an artificial lake during the post-independence era to improve urban infrastructure and create recreational spaces. It was later named Subhas Sarobar in honor of

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945) was an Indian nationalist whose defiance of British authority in India made him a hero among many Indians, but his wartime alliances with Nazi Germany and Fascist Japan left a l ...

. Over the years, the lake and its surroundings have undergone beautification and ecological restoration efforts by

KMDA Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is the statutory planning and development authority for the Kolkata metropolitan area in the Indian state of West Bengal. The organisation was known as Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authorit ...

and other civic bodies to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.

Features

* Walking Tracks: Well-paved paths around the lake are used by local residents for walking and jogging. * Boating: Though not as prominent as Rabindra Sarobar, some boating facilities have existed periodically. * Gardens and open spaces: Landscaped gardens and seating areas make it a popular spot for families and picnickers. * Bird Watching: The lake attracts various migratory and resident bird species. * Religious functions: The lake is an important site for festivals like Chhath Puja.

Environmental concerns

Like many urban water bodies in India, Subhas Sarobar suffers from pollution, encroachments, and lack of maintenance. Several restoration initiatives have been undertaken, including desilting, aeration, and community engagement programs.

Accessibility

The lake is easily accessible via EM Bypass, and the nearest major transport hubs include

Sealdah Railway Station Sealdah railway station (station code: SDAH) is an NSG–1 category Indian railway station in Sealdah railway division of Eastern Railway zone. It is one of the five terminal railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the o ...

and the Beleghata and Phoolbagan Metro Stations. Multiple bus routes also serve the area.

In popular culture

While Subhas Sarobar is not as widely referenced in

literature Literature is any collection of Writing, written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, Play (theatre), plays, and poetry, poems. It includes both print and Electroni ...

cinema Cinema may refer to: Film * Film or movie, a series of still images that create the illusion of moving image ** Film industry, the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking ** Filmmaking, the process of making a film * Movie theate ...

, it has appeared in local news and photography projects as a symbol of urban serenity amid the chaos of Kolkata.

References

* * * * * * {{Cite web, website= City College Kolkata, year=2023, url= https://www.citycollegekolkata.org/documents/Zoology/Dept_Activity/20231218_Excursion_to_Subhash_Sarovar_Sem_5_Paper_DSEA-5-2_03012023.pdf, title=A Brief Activity Report on Geological Field Study at Subhash Sarovar Lake, Beliaghata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India Parks in Kolkata Artificial lakes of India