The Dhakuria Railway Colony

“A war zone with trains instead of bullets.”

 

I'd been actively photographing the Kolkata site featured in this image at the Dhakuria railway colony since 2015. I couldn't help but notice the appalling conditions of this locale. But what I was attracted to the most was the resilience and spirit of the residents here. Despite living in what I consider a war zone with trains instead of bullets, these people make everyday life out of conditions that most of us couldn’t suffer 24 hours of as our home.

Women tend to an infant at the Dhakuria Railway Colony.

Images from the Colony

Train coming at Dhakuria.
People sitting on the tracks.
Passengers of a passing train.
Train speeding through Dhakuria colony.
Kids playing with balloons on New Years Day.
Kids playing with balloons on New Years Day.
Chickens feeding on the tracks.
Kids playing on the tracks.
Kids posing for me on the tracks.
Family gatherings on the tracks.
Girl glaring at me from the tracks.
A card game on the tracks.
A boy playing with a puppy on the tracks.
Meal preparation on the tracks.
 

Video

Walking the tracks at the Dhakuria Railway Colony is a dangerous game for the uninitiated.

 
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