Three port vessels to house floating restos
Kolkata:
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
, formerly known as KoPT, will repurpose three of its vessels — PL Rupsa, PL Hooghly, and PL Gopal — to operate them as floating heritage restaurants. The initiative aims to foster river-based tourism alongside cultural and hospitality services.A senior KoPT official said: "The vessels will be repurposed as heritage and commercial platforms.
We invite established restaurant owners, cafe chains, and food franchise operators to set up floating restaurants or themed hospitality spaces on the Hooghly to create a culturally enriched and visually striking identity for their brand." SMP, Kolkata has called for expressions of interest (EOIs) for the project. The vessels, previously used as residential quarters for pilots during events like Gangasagar Mela, had outlived their original utility. PL Rupsa and PL Gopal, measuring 32m and 19m in length, 6m and 5m in width, and 3.8m and 2.2m in depth, can accommodate approximately 50-100 people. Both vessels have about 1,000 sqft of floor area."They will remain in the river moored next to shore or jetty and will be self-propelled with their own power, featuring crafts exhibition space, restaurant, a small assembly (for banquet purpose) and so on. Basic structures will not be altered," the official said. In 2022, PS Bhopal, a training vessel, was launched with a similar approach. It now hosts weddings, heritage tours, and corporate events.
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Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
Kolkata Port invites bids to transform 3 vintage river vessels into floating cultural venues
The Kolkata port authorities launched an initiative to repurpose three historic river vessels into floating venues for tourism, culture, and leisure, an official said on Wednesday. The move was inspired by the transformation of the vintage paddle steamer PS Bhopal, which was originally built in 1944, into the popular heritage cruise ' Bengal Paddle ' in 2022. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, earlier known as Kolkata Port Trust , invited proposals from entrepreneurs and creative partners to convert the decommissioned pilot launches-PL Rupsa, PL Hooghly, and PL Gopal-into attractions such as floating cafes , museums, and heritage cruise boats and even wedding venues along the Hooghly River, the official said. These retired vessels from the late 1990s used to guide ships along the river Hooghly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mix 4 Kitchen Ingredients, Wake Up Thinner Every Morning Health News Undo This initiative is part of SMP Kolkata's broader plan to rejuvenate the city's historic riverfront, transforming it into a vibrant destination that blends heritage, commerce, and contemporary culture. Built in 1997, PL Rupsa and PL Hooghly feature steel hulls, measure 32.90 metres in length, and offer up to 2,000 sq ft of usable space-suitable for accommodating 50 to 100 guests. Live Events The smaller PL Gopal, constructed in 1994 with a fibreglass-reinforced plastic hull, offers up to 1,000 sq ft of space and can host 30 to 50 people. "These vessels offer significant potential to become revenue-generating heritage assets," the SMP official said. To encourage participation, the port is offering free berthing at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) for retrofitting and complimentary jetty space for boarding and operational activities during service.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Three port vessels to house floating restos
Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port , formerly known as KoPT, will repurpose three of its vessels — PL Rupsa, PL Hooghly, and PL Gopal — to operate them as floating heritage restaurants. The initiative aims to foster river-based tourism alongside cultural and hospitality services.A senior KoPT official said: "The vessels will be repurposed as heritage and commercial platforms. We invite established restaurant owners, cafe chains, and food franchise operators to set up floating restaurants or themed hospitality spaces on the Hooghly to create a culturally enriched and visually striking identity for their brand." SMP, Kolkata has called for expressions of interest (EOIs) for the project. The vessels, previously used as residential quarters for pilots during events like Gangasagar Mela, had outlived their original utility. PL Rupsa and PL Gopal, measuring 32m and 19m in length, 6m and 5m in width, and 3.8m and 2.2m in depth, can accommodate approximately 50-100 people. Both vessels have about 1,000 sqft of floor area."They will remain in the river moored next to shore or jetty and will be self-propelled with their own power, featuring crafts exhibition space, restaurant, a small assembly (for banquet purpose) and so on. Basic structures will not be altered," the official said. In 2022, PS Bhopal, a training vessel, was launched with a similar approach. It now hosts weddings, heritage tours, and corporate events.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
Container cargo surge propels Kolkata Port's April'25 growth at 45%
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