Dalhousie's office district is losing its pulse. Post-COVID remote work has drained Kolkata’s iconic corporate hub of its life and legacy.
Human-Interest News Report | Veritas Times
By: Pralay Chatterjee
Location: Kolkata | Date: 8 June 2025
There was a time when Dalhousie Square in Kolkata throbbed with corporate life. The buzz of rushing footsteps, the clink of teacups at roadside stalls, and the lunch-hour chatter painted a vivid picture of a city at work.
Today, that same neighborhood wears a shroud of silence.
George Court, White House, LIC Building, and the historic Martin Burn—once full of suits and files—now stand quieter than ever. The corridors feel abandoned, and the familiar morning crowd has all but disappeared.
Why the Sudden Change?
Post-COVID work culture is the biggest culprit. Remote work and hybrid models have become the new normal. With digital access and cloud-based systems, physical presence is no longer mandatory in many offices.
A canteen worker near the LIC building shared:
“Earlier we couldn’t serve lunch fast enough. Now, we just sit and wait for hours.”
Book vendors, pan sellers, tea stalls those who thrived on office crowds are now struggling. Many are closing shops altogether.
Dalhousie, once the beating heart of Kolkata's work culture, is slowly fading into memory. With every empty chair and closed shutter, an era slips away—replaced by silence and screens.
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