Traders in Kolkata’s New Market area are now facing serious problems. Businesses are in crisis due to the lack of Bangladeshi tourists. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August, the number of Bangladeshi tourists in Kolkata has dropped significantly due to visa complications. Where thousands of Bangladeshi tourists used to visit New Market, now the number stands at 10-20 percent.
Traders of New Market said that their business depended on Bangladeshi tourists. Now the business is facing serious losses due to lack of tourists from Bangladesh. Some traders are forced to provide emergency services as many Bangladeshi tourists are coming to Kolkata for medical treatment and are stranded.
There were more Bangladeshi tourists in different areas of Kolkata, including Mirza Ghalib Street, Rafiq Ahmed Street, Kids Street, New Market Police Station. The area was a major center of hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, clothing stores, fruit sellers, mobile phone merchants. At present, due to the tourist crisis, businessmen are facing huge financial losses and many businesses fear that they may be threatened.
Kolkata, popularly known as the ‘City of Joy’ was a popular destination for Bangladeshi travelers. However, due to the lack of travelers, the business of New Market is not as booming as before. Businessmen hope that it will be difficult to continue their business if the situation is not normal.