‘Kolkata Is The Dirtiest City In India’: Vizag Man Gives Scathing Review to West Bengal Capital

Last Updated:November 06, 2024, 16:28 IST

A man from Vizag, who visited Kolkata for two days, described his experience as the “most unhygienic” he has encountered in any Indian city and labelled the West Bengal capital the “dirtiest city in India”.

‘Kolkata is the dirtiest city in India,’ says a man who shared this picture of a woman selling ginger and garlic near an open gutter. (Pic credit: X/@balajidbv)

“Kolkata is the dirtiest city in India,” wrote a man from Vizag in a controversial thread on X (formerly Twitter) following his recent visit to West Bengal’s capital. DS Balaji, a designer by profession, described his experience as the “most unhygienic” he has encountered in any Indian city, citing open gutters, overflowing bins, and a pervasive smell of urine.

Open gutters, urine smell

He shared videos from areas like Sealdah and Bada Bazaar to comment on the open gutters and the overwhelming stench of urine: “Can’t breathe properly,” he wrote, adding that while he struggled with the unhygienic conditions, locals were casually enjoying breakfast at a shop situated at the top of one of the gutters.

In his thread, he also shared a picture of a vendor sitting on top of an open gutter selling ginger and garlic. He expressed his shock, saying, “I have never seen it anywhere else in India. No matter how poor, or bad Infrastructure. And I have travelled a lot. It’s just a lack of civic and hygiene in the city, which is so sad to see.”

Balaji added more pictures and videos to his thread from the local vegetable market: “The food which you will eat is kept on a gutter, filthy smelling floor. While people are just fighting, abusing and spitting here and there.”

Bad infrastructure and bullying

The designer, who is also a martial artist, commented on the city’s infrastructure as well. He said that most buildings seem like they won’t be able to “survive a strong earthquake”. He further pointed out that people in the city honk so much that it gave him a “headache”.

Balaji added, “Can’t book Uber, Rapidos because local taxis beat them. Hence drivers don’t like to go into the most busy areas. Ended up with local taxis that cost double. People seemed to be in some high survival mechanism. Everyone is trying to grab money from outsiders. Taxi would charge you extra if you ask them to drop 50 m close to the hotel. And would abuse you if you don’t comply with their bullying.”

Deceptive practices at Kaali Ghaat temple

Balaji recounted an unpleasant experience at the Kaali Ghaat temple, where he claimed to have lost money.

“I literally lost thousands of rupees inside Kaali Ghaat temple,” he further wrote, explaining that local pandas surrounded him, offering VIP darshan in exchange for money, and attempted to sell him various religious items.

“Even inside the Temple, the priest would get agitated if you don’t pay them,” he further wrote.

Most depressing city

Balaji described Kolkata as not only the dirtiest but also the most depressing city he’s been to. “I personally felt Kolkata to be the most depressing, low energy, low-frequency city,” he expressed.

“I may have visited all the wrong places, at all at the wrong times,” he speculated.

He concluded his thread with a hopeful message for the city despite his unpleasant experience: “As a caring aware Indian citizen I wish the best, for this city. May it improve, grow and build like others.”