When buying land in Kolkata or its surrounding regions, one of the first things you’ll come across is local measurement units like Bigha, Katha, Decimal, Chhatak, etc. These traditional units coexist with metric / international units (square feet, square meters, acres), and unless you clearly understand them—how they convert, where they vary, what local norms apply—you risk being misled about how much land you’re really getting, how much you’re paying per unit, or even problems later in registration or valuation. This blog will walk you through:

• the definitions of various units used in Kolkata / West Bengal real estate,

• standard conversion rates (with the caveat that sometimes local variation exists),

• how to convert among them easily,

• examples of typical plot sizes in those units,

• what pitfalls buyers should watch out for,

• and tips to ensure clarity when purchasing.

Common Land Measurement Units in Kolkata & West Bengal

Here are the usual units you’ll encounter when dealing with plot sizes in Kolkata / surrounding districts in West Bengal:

Bigha

• Definition: A traditional large area unit, used widely in rural and semi‑urban land dealings.

• Usage: Usually used when plots are large, farmland, or when bundling multiple smaller plots or subdivisions.

Katha

• Definition: A smaller parcel unit more commonly used in peri‑urban / semi‑urban plots, residential subdivisions, etc. Often the first unit a buyer thinks in.

• Relation to Bigha: Typically, in Kolkata / WB, 1 Bigha = 20 Katha. Simple Converter+2Unit Converters For Land Measurement+2

Decimal

• Definition: Decimal is another unit used often in urban / suburban plots in West Bengal. It is smaller than Katha.

• Definition / Equivalence: 1 Bigha = ~33 Decimals in Kolkata / WB. Simple Converter+2hdskolkata.com+2

Other Units (Chhatak / Satak / Square Feet / Square Meter etc.)

• Chhatak (or Chattak) / Satak etc.: Sub‑units or local subdivisions used in particular mouzas or villages; sometimes 1 Katha = 16 or 20 Chhataks depending on area. hdskolkata.com+1

• Square Feet / Square Meter: Internationally recognized metrics that are often used in converted form when showing plot area for wider audiences.

• Acre / Hectare: Used especially when land parcels are large or for comparative purposes.

Standard Conversions among Units in Kolkata / West Bengal

Knowing approximate conversion values is crucial for understanding offers, negotiating price per unit, and avoiding confusion.

Key Conversion Rates

Here are some broadly accepted conversion rates in Kolkata / 24 Parganas (South) etc.:

Derived Conversions

From the above, you can derive:

• 1 Katha = 0.05 Bigha (because 1 / 20) Simple Converter+1

• 1 Decimal ≈ (1 / 33) Bigha ≈ 0.03030… Bigha Simple Converter

• Also conversions to square meters, acres etc.:

  • 1 sq.ft = 0.092903 sq. meters

  • 1 sq. meter = 10.7639 sq. ft

  • 1 Acre ≈ 3 Bigha 8 Chhatak (for some measurement norms in the area) hdskolkata.com

Examples: Conversion Table

Here is a sample conversion table to help you visualise:

These help when you’re offered plots in Bigha / Katha etc., but you want to think in square feet or meters for comparison.

Plot Sizes Commonly Found in Kolkata & Suburbs: What Buyers Typically Encounter

To get a sense of practical sizes, here’s a sketch of what plot sizes are common, and how they correspond to Katha / Decimal etc.:

Small Residential Plots

• ½ Katha: ~360 sq ft (if 1 Katha = 720 sq ft)

• 1 Katha: ~720 sq ft – often used in inner city / dense residential areas, small plots.

• 2 Katha: ~1,440 sq ft – common plots in suburbs where access is decent but density is lower.

Medium Plots

• 3‑5 Katha: roughly ~2,160 to 3,600 sq ft. Good for more spacious homes, possibly duplex / semi‑detached homes.

• 10 Katha (~0.5 Bigha): ~7,200 sq ft.

Large Plots / Semi‑Rural

• 1 Bigha: ~14,400 sq ft. Often used for agricultural land, large villa plots, grouped sub‑divided developments.

• 2 Bigha and above: For bigger land holdings, farms, or plots far from city core.

Décimal Sizes

• Decimals sometimes used for finer measurement, especially when dividing Bigha or Katha into smaller units for plots. E.g. 10‑15 Decimal plots (~4‑6 Katha) may be common in fringe areas.

Why Variations & Local Differences Exist & What Buyer Must Watch Out For

Units are traditional, and sometimes definitions vary slightly from mouza to mouza, or village to village, block to block. Here are reasons why variations happen, and what you must check to ensure you’re not short‑changed.

Historical / Survey Differences

• Some areas use older survey / legacy records (Sabek/Hal Dag) where plot boundaries / measurements were different. The survey used then may have used different standards.

• After revised survey / RS‑LR mapping, numbers may shift slightly due to re‑measurement.

Local Practice Differences

• Different mouzas or revenue circles may have different accepted number of Chhataks per Katha etc. Although general rules (like 1 Bigha = 20 Katha) are widespread, small local differences might exist.

• Road frontages, irregular shaped plots, sloping land, or land with partial utility access may lead to measured area being different than what seller advertises (“claimed” area).

Rounding / Approximation Issues

• Sellers or brokers may round off decimal areas to make numbers look better. E.g. saying “2.5 Katha” when actual is 2.48, etc.

• Measurement tools, surveyor’s precision, marking corners may all affect exact area.

Metric vs Traditional Units in Legal / Registration Documents

• Registered sale deeds / revenue records may record area in traditional units and sometimes also in square feet or meters. If conversion or recording mistaken, disputes can result.

How to Do Conversions Accurately & Tools / Best Practices

Knowing theory is good, applying it accurately is essential. Here’s how you can ensure conversions are done right, and avoid being misled.

Always Ask for the Unit Clearly

• Make sure seller / broker specifies whether the plot area is in Katha, Decimal, Bigha, or square feet, or a mix. Do they mean “20 Katha” or “20 decimals”?

• Also clarify if they are using the local norm (which may differ slightly) or some generic conversion.

Use Standard Conversion Tables

• Keep handy conversion references (like the ones above) or phone/web tools.

• E.g. 1 Katha = 720 sq.ft, 1 Bigha = 20 Katha = 14,400 sq.ft, etc.

Use Apps or Online Converters

• Several land measurement / conversion calculators are available online. Some specific to West Bengal / Kolkata (e.g. Digital Tathya apps). These help you put in Katha / Decimal etc. to see square feet / meters.

• Don’t rely only on seller’s numbers—try to verify via map (if available), survey or local land record data.

Physical Survey / Verification

• When possible, plot your boundaries on site (check corner pegs, road frontage, entry points). Sometimes actual usable area is less due to road, public right of way etc.

• Use a surveyor to measure actual dimensions; this helps especially for irregular plots.

Legal / Document Verification

• Check how area is recorded in the deed, in the revenue / mouza / plot records (e.g. BanglarBhumi in West Bengal). If different, understand which one prevails legally.

• See whether measurement is certified, recognized, or has been challenged in past.

Examples / Case Scenarios to Show Why Conversions & Clarity Matter

Let me share a few hypothetical / real‑style examples to show how measurement units & their misunderstanding can matter.

Scenario 1 – Buyer Mishears “2 Bigha” as “2 Katha”

• Suppose a broker says “2 Bigha plot available” but actually means “2 Katha”. That’s a huge difference: 2 Bigha = 40 Katha = ~576,000 sq ft vs 2 Katha = ~1,440 sq ft. Price per sq ft will look cheap, but buyer ends up with much less land.

Scenario 2 – Decimal vs Katha Confusion

• A plot advertised as “30 Decimal” in a suburb could confuse someone expecting “30 Katha”. If 30 decimal = ~0.9 Bigha (~17‑18 Katha), but if buyer thinks “30 Katha” they’d expect much more.

Scenario 3 – Deed vs Site vs Seller Claim Differences

• Seller shows survey sketch saying “1 Bigha, 20 Katha”, but site visit reveals part of the boundary is a public road or pathway, or part of the plot is unusable. So effectively the usable area is less. If price is based on full area, buyer may lose.

Recommended Plot Size Expectations & What You Should Aim For

Depending on your budget, needs (house, investment, etc.), here are what plot sizes often make sense, and what units they are usually advertised in.

For Individual Residential Use

• If building a modest home, aim for a plot of 2‑3 Katha (~1,440‑2,160 sq.ft) in suburban areas.

• In denser inner areas, maybe 1 Katha (~720 sq ft) is more common.

For Larger Homes / Duplex / Villas

• 5‑10 Katha plots give room, garden, parking etc. (~3,600‑7,200 sq ft).

• Or fractional Bigha plots: e.g. 0.25 Bigha (~5 Katha) etc.

For Investment / Subdivision

• Buyers or developers sometimes buy 1 Bigha or more, subdivide into multiple Kathas.

• In that case, the measurement accuracy becomes even more critical, as small errors multiply.

Common Mistakes & Pitfalls Buyers Should Avoid

To ensure you’re not losing value or getting misled, watch out for:

Mistaking “Decimal” for “Decimāl” / Different Use

• Sometimes “Decimal” might mean something slightly different in local conversation vs revenue record. Ask for exact figure, and where it is recorded.

Ignoring Plot Shape

• Irregular shape may reduce usable area. If width is very narrow or boundary bends, area may be misleading.

Not Checking Road / Access Width

• Plot area may be recorded, but if access road is very narrow, or public right of way, usable portion can reduce.

Rounding & Overclaiming

• Brokers may round up numbers to make them sound better. E.g. ‘almost 3 Katha’ when it’s 2.7 etc.

• Always ask for measurement in small units and check the deed and revenue records.

Ignoring Conversion Fees / Registration Based on Units

• Sometimes government or sub‑registrar fees or stamp duty are based on area in square feet / square meters. Misrepresentation can lead to underpayment, penalty, or later claim.

Conclusion

Understanding land measurement units—Bigha, Katha, Decimal, Chhatak, Square Feet / Meter—and how they convert is essential when buying plots in Kolkata / West Bengal. It’s not just about knowing that “1 Bigha = 20 Katha” or “1 Decimal = ~435.6 sq ft”; it’s about verifying what unit your seller is really using, confirming via documents or maps, converting to units you understand, doing physical inspection, and making sure what is advertised matches what is legally recorded and what you are paying for.

If you follow these tips:

1. Always ask for units clearly and confirm via documents.

2. Use standard conversion tables and calculators.

3. Do physical verification and use a surveyor if needed.

4. Compare area in multiple units (sq ft, sq mt) to see consistency.

5. Check what is recorded in revenue / mouza / deed / BanglarBhumi or similar land record portals.

You will avoid confusion, mispricing, or unpleasant surprises later. A small moment of clarity now can save you a lot of money, legal hassle, or disappointment in the future.

Nature’s Paradise by Rupbasuda Developers — “Ready to Move” Plots

After covering what to check, here is detailed, well‑organized information about Nature’s Paradise, a township project by Rupbasuda Developers, to help you evaluate whether it meets those criteria and whether it might be a good option for you or others.

Project Overview

Plot Size, Type & Pricing

Amenities & Infrastructure

Location Advantages & Growth Potential

• Close proximity (2.6 km) to Joka Metro adds value and future ease of commute.
  
• Diamond Harbour Road (NH‑117) is a major route; improved highways/roads often lead to value appreciation.
  
• Many well‑known apartment projects in the vicinity (Emami Astha, Godrej Seven Elevate, Gems Bouganvilla, DTC Sojan, Eden Amantran, Solaris, Rajat by Avante etc.), often priced in crores, which suggests the area is already drawing premium development.
  

Payment & Booking Terms

Potential Pros & Things to Check

Pros:

• Affordable entry point for middle class — both residential and commercial plots in the stated price range.
  
• Ready to move status reduces waiting time; some infrastructure already in place.
  
• Strong potential for appreciation because of upcoming metro, highway road works, location.
  
• Amenities are planned; community features suggest a self‑contained township rather than isolated plots.
  

Things you should still verify (using the checklist above):

• Confirm zoning status and whether NA conversion (if needed) has been done.
  
• Check encumbrance certificate to ensure clear title.
  
• Ensure all NOCs, permissions, layout plan approvals are legal and in order.
  
• Physical ground check: slope, drainage, whether land is flood‑prone.
  
• Exact road access: condition of roads, whether approach to your plot is via public road.
  
• Surrounding environment: whether neighbouring plots are being developed, quality, types of constructions.
  
• Utility access and readiness: water, electricity, sewage.
  
• Confirm any government notifications/plans that may require surrendering land or affect use.
  

Why This Might Be The Best Time to Buy

• With metro station planned by end of 2028, road improvements, and area being developed, plots may gain significant capital appreciation.
  
• Since many high‑end projects in the area are already valued in crores, a plot bought now at a few lakh rupees can deliver large value growth in coming years.
  
• Entry‑level price and flexible payment (0% EMI over 36 months) reduces the financial burden and risk.
  

How to Proceed (if Interested)

1. Arrange a site visit to Nature’s Paradise. Survey multiple plots; compare premium vs non‑premium.
   
2. Bring along a legal expert to verify documents.
   
3. Ask developer / Dedicated Real Estate for copies of title deed, NA conversion (if applicable), EC, layout plan, approved plan, NOCs etc.
   
4. Check the condition of internal roads, availability of utilities.
   
5. Discuss payment schedule, any additional charges.
   

Contact Details

Dedicated Real Estate

• Phone: +91 6291422636
  
• Email: info@dedicatedrealestate.in
  
• Website: www.dedicatedrealestate.in
  

Office Location: Near Thakurpukur 3A Bus Stand, Kolkata