A 7,80,000 sq ft book mall to come up in Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 5 (UNI) With the book fair being pushed to the fringes of the city, there is good news for the book lovers as Kolkata will soon have a book mall, spread over 7,80,000 sq ft.

Apart from books, the mall 'Varna Parichay', will also have the first auction space for rare books, manuscripts and a host of other features never seen before in the country under one roof.

The mall has been designed by Hafeez Contractor and would be the reconstruction of the College Street market.

Bengal Shelter Housing Development Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between the state and Shelter Housing, Managing Director Samar Nag said the demolition of the 90-year-old municipal market had already started.

Company sources mentioned that apart from a modern book mall, an agency would be asked to run an auction centre, where buyers and sellers can interact regularly. The mall would also have a coffee shop, library and a multi-level car parking facility.

Bengal Shelter Housing Development Ltd will begin construction work by April end and will be completed within 36 months. The mall has already attracted prospective book sellers from UK and other countries.

UNI