Under the flyover: Dead space turns into a play zone

A turf-based sports arena has come up beneath the Baguiati–Kestopur flyover, just minutes from Kolkata’s airport. Stretching for nearly a kilometre under the 2.2 km flyover, the Rajarhat-Gopalpur Sports Arena is a full-fledged, enclosed playing facility divided into four zones, each dedicated to a specific sport. It has already gained significant traction online and on social media — a striking example of how cities can reclaim underused urban spaces and turn them into community hubs that people actually use.

The localities around the flyover — Baguiati, Kestopur, Ashwininagar, Teghoria and Raghunathpur — are areas where residential units vie for space with commercial and mixed-use buildings. For a city that lives and breathes sport, finding public playing spaces in high-density neighbourhoods like these has always been difficult. This arena fills a genuine gap.

Approaching the flyover, the transformation is hard to miss. The brightly painted concrete underbelly — a vivid pink interspersed with green, blue and yellow — stands out from quite a distance. Bold murals and motifs on the pillars depict players in action: archery, hockey, cricket, football and more. The colours ripple along the length of the structure, hinting at the activity within, and drawing visitors in from afar. The artworks give the space a sense of identity and, for the surrounding neighbourhoods, a visible point of pride.

As you get closer, the arena (divided into four specific zones) itself comes into view — neatly enclosed in metal mesh, the turf visible through the fencing.

At the heart of the arena lies the football turf ground. The alternating shades of deep and light green immediately capture attention. It is smaller than a full-sized field, but ideal for five-a-side matches — and the flyover above acts as a roof, which means the ground can be used throughout the year regardless of weather. The turf is well marked with clearly defined lines, making it suitable for organised tournaments. In a city that treats football as a way of life, this new arena is a genuine boost for budding players in the area.

Right next to the football ground stands the cricket pitch. Like its neighbour, the dimensions make it better suited to practice sessions and shorter-format matches than full-scale games. The artificial turf is well laid with painted markings, and tennis balls are used here for both practice and matches.

Adding a different dimension to the arena is the roller-skating rink — a smooth surface designed for beginners and experienced skaters alike. Roller skating has been gaining popularity as a sport across the country and in Kolkata. While there already are several skating classes running in the wider area, including sessions near the New Town Clock Tower and the parking lot near Eco Park, classes will be organised here as well.

The space is versatile enough to double up for Zumba classes, karate sessions and open-air physical training.

An outdoor gymnasium has also been set up here, fitted with equipment focused on bodyweight exercises and movement — parallel bars, walkers and the like.

The Pet Park

In a nod to the growing number of pet owners in the city, the arena also features a dedicated pet park. This enclosed area allows dogs to run freely and socialise off-leash — a rare facility in Kolkata. It’s become a gathering spot for animal lovers in the neighbourhood, adding a welcome, inclusive touch to the space.

If You’re Visiting

Where: Beneath the Baguiati–Kestopur flyover, at Joramandir bus stop
Parking: Available for bikes only
Timings: 7–11 am and 3–8 pm (subject to change)
Fees: Free for now, on a first-come-first-served basis