WITH well-recognized commercial destinations including Park Street, Chowringhee Road and Camac Street, its time for the IT/ITes business sector to add to the growth of the City of Joy, Kolkata.

The real estate sector is going to be set up at Sector V and Rajarhat, while corporate office demand is more subdued in and around Park Street. However, the Park Street is not likely to loose its relevance but will accomplish signs of a prospective change.

Even rental values have appreciated rapidly due to large-scale commercial developments with Rs. 43 in Salt Lake and Rs. 45 in Dalhousie Square, which was once known as the bustling epicenter of English colonial and trade. However, the most surprising rise has come in the rentals of Park Street, where the values are believed to be 63% above last year.

With SEZs, IT Parks, hotels, retail malls and commercial complexes, Rajarhat has everything you would expect of a much larger place. At every step you take, you will feel the tremendous influence this location exerts. Undoubtedly, this well balanced approach adds to the possibility of commercial office demand shifting along with giving a boost to residential property requirements. Park Street remains the most happening place in the whole of Kolkata where substantial contrasts emerge. Perhaps, this is what going to help this place and its adjacent locations to come out as retail high street locations.

The government will also provide funding for the development of Rajarhat and is all set to invest in infrastructure and its accessibility. The prospects for a complete makeover of the city seem to be brightened. The fast flourishing city will soon have better road connectivity through the proposed outer ring road starting from Barasat Bypass in the north to National Highway 117 at Shirakol in the south.

As these changes take place, the banking and insurance sectors will continue to drive demand in the CBD. Drop in new stock as well as low vacancy rates will bring about a rise in rental and capital values.