Joka is a census town in Thakurpukur Mahestala CD Block and a neighbourhood in South West Kolkata, India. The neighbourhood is home to one of the premier management institutes of India: Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
Joka and part of Pailan-Daulatpur (adjoining area of Joka) are now under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
As per 2011 Census of India Joka had a total population of 9,302, of which 4,645 (50%) were males and 4,657 (50%) were females. Population below 6 years was 763. The total number of literates in Joka was 7,803 (91.38% of the population over 6 years).
The following Municipalities and Census Towns in South 24 Parganas district were part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census: Maheshtala (M), Joka (CT), Balarampur (CT), Chata Kalikapur (CT), Budge Budge (M), Nischintapur (CT), Uttar Raypur (CT), Pujali (M), and Rajpur Sonarpur (M).
Joka is well connected with the rest of Kolkata by the 4 lane Diamond Harbour Road (NH 117) and 4 lane James Long Sarani. The stretch of the Diamond Harbour Road between Joka and Taratala (10 km) is in pretty bad shape with many temporary diversions and narrowing to 2-lanes due to Metro Railway Construction and Gardenreach-Joka Water-line construction.
Joka-BBG Bagh Metro railway constructions are in full swing and expected to be operational by 2018.
The old Joka Tram depot is now closed and tram services no longer exists.
Bus routes include-
This locality houses one of the important centers of Bratachari movement.
Reputed schools in the area include Vivekanada Mission School, Pailan World School and IIMC Kendriya Vidyalay.
Ministry of Labour & Employment has started a Medical College in this area (in the campus of erstwhile ESIC Joka Model Hospital) since 2013.
Coordinates: 22°27′32″N 88°17′50″E / 22.45889°N 88.29722°E