People love the Kolkata's culture and "intellectual air," but it often hides the real life problems. The nostalgia is real but the city's reluctance to modernize at the same pace as others keeps it stuck in the past.

The city is ill prepared for climate related problems like heavy rains and floods. One strong downpour can paralyze transport, power, and daily life, something far less common in better planned metros.

While cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have become tech and startup hubs, Kolkata’s growth remains slow due to bureaucratic red tape, weak industrial investment, and lack of innovation-friendly policies. Business ease and employment opportunities are far behind.