Kolkata's heritage quarters get licensed night-walking tours

Licensed night walks through Sovabazar, Jorasanko and the old China Town begin this month, running on four evenings a week with a fixed tariff of ₹650 per person.

The tours are limited to 15 walkers, use a single prescribed route and end by 9pm. Guides have completed a heritage interpretation course run with the state tourism board, and each walk carries police clearance for the route it uses.

Board officials said the pilot will be reviewed after eight weeks, with plans to extend the format to Hooghly's colonial riverside if occupancy holds. Residents along the route have been consulted on timings, the board added.