SMPK, IIT-KGP to Revamp Hooghly Riverbanks and Ghats

02 Sep 2025 CW Team

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has partnered with IIT-Kharagpur to craft a comprehensive Riverbank Masterplan focused on revitalising the ghats and riverbanks along the Hooghly in Kolkata and Howrah. The initiative aims to enhance heritage conservation, improve urban aesthetics, and unlock tourism potential in line with the Responsible Tourism Mission 2025.

A major highlight of the project is the development of a world-class river cruise terminal, similar to those in Varanasi and Assam. “To launch river cruise services, we require international-standard infrastructure. We are constructing a terminal in Bengal with support from the Inland Waterways Authority of India,” said SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman.

Work is already underway, with a tender floated for a one-kilometre riverfront stretch at Jorabagan, along with plans to introduce dynamic lighting on the iconic Howrah Bridge.

The masterplan also features the creation of Millennium Park 3 as a new riverfront tourism hub, the redevelopment of Armenian Ghat with a dedicated museum, and CSR-backed restoration of five to six heritage ghats across the stretch. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable, low-impact infrastructure aligned with environmental and cultural preservation goals.

Officials highlight that the initiative goes beyond beautification, aiming to integrate cultural revival with economic development through tourism, urban regeneration, and community engagement. Once completed, the transformed Hooghly riverbanks are expected to offer both residents and tourists a more vibrant, accessible, and eco-friendly waterfront experience.

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