Dharmatala's L20 bus stand to shut down on Dec 10 for new metro station construction

After more than 100 years of non-stop services, Kolkata's legendary L-20 bus stand in Dharmatala finally saying farewell on December 10. The spot where generations caught buses to every corner of Bengal is being cleared to make way for the massive three-line interchange station of Joka-Esplanade, Howrah Maidan-Sector V and New Garia-Dakshineswar metros. From coming Tuesday, thousands of daily commuters will walk a few hundred metres to the sparkling new "Esplanade Bus Stand of State Government Bus" right next within few steps from the East-West Metro gate – a modern terminal glowing with lights, air-conditioned counters, food court, clean toilets and proper waiting rooms that already look ready to welcome travellers.

As per reports, the shift is happening in two phases: starting December 10, all WBTC and NBSTC buses will move first, followed soon by SBSTC services. Around 300–350 state buses that used to crowd the old narrow lanes will now line up in the spacious 4,000-square-metre facility built by Metro authorities. Officials promise the new place is so close that most passengers will barely notice the extra steps, yet it ends the daily traffic jam that choked Rani Rashmoni Avenue for decades.

Not only this bus stand, but also the Maidan Bidhan Market will be removed, the shops are being built between Rani Rashmoni Avenue and Sidhu Kanhu Dahar Road. For many old-timers who remember buying tickets from tiny wooden booths and sprinting for the last bus, the move feels bittersweet. But for the young office-goers, the bright new sheds and digital displays feel like a welcome upgrade. Coming Wednesday morning, the heart of Kolkata will look a little different, sound a little quieter at the old spot, and run a lot smoother for everyone catching a ride home.