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Time of India

SMP Kolkata launches visionary plan to transform pilot launches into floating heritage & hospitality hubs

KOLKATA: In a move to blend heritage preservation with cultural innovation , Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata ( SMP Kolkata ), has unveiled an ambitious initiative to convert three of its iconic pilot vessels into floating venues for tourism, hospitality, and cultural engagement along the Hooghly River. The port is now inviting proposals to repurpose P.L. Rupsa, P.L. Hooghly, and P.L. Gopal—historic launches once used to guide ships through the river's winding channels—into floating cafés, heritage cruises, mobile museums, event spaces, or themed restaurants. Inspired by the successful transformation of the paddle steamer P.S. Bhopal into the event-friendly Bengal Paddle, SMP Kolkata aims to preserve these vessels while reimagining them as contemporary destinations that celebrate Bengal's maritime and cultural heritage. Historic Vessels with New Possibilities Built in the late 1990s, the pilot launches boast impressive dimensions: P.L. Rupsa and P.L. Hooghly (built in 1997) feature robust steel hulls, 32.9 meters in length, and a usable area of up to 2,000 sq ft—ideal for hosting 50 to 100 guests. P.L. Gopal (built in 1994) is constructed with a fiberglass-reinforced plastic hull and offers 800–1,000 sq ft of space, suitable for 30 to 50 guests. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo These vessels, though retired from their original navigational roles, now represent a chance to create unique riverfront experiences for locals and tourists alike. Open Call for Creative Partnerships SMP Kolkata is calling upon a wide range of stakeholders—river cruise operators, hospitality chains, event planners, cultural institutions, conservation bodies, and joint ventures—to submit proposals for revitalizing the vessels. Emphasis is being placed on concepts that highlight Bengali heritage , multi-cuisine experiences, and cultural programming. To support the initiative, the port is offering free berthing at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) for retrofitting, along with complimentary jetty space for boarding operations—an attractive incentive for interested developers. Reviving the Riverfront This initiative forms part of SMP Kolkata's broader vision to transform Kolkata's historic waterfront into a vibrant destination that marries commerce, culture, and community engagement. By turning static maritime relics into dynamic floating landmarks, the port is taking a forward-looking step to rejuvenate public interaction with the river and reposition the Hooghly as a centerpiece of urban life. 'Through this project, we are not just preserving vessels—we are creating living, breathing spaces that tell stories, host memories, and redefine how the city connects with its river,' said an official from SMP Kolkata. As the port authority welcomes innovative proposals, the transformation of these pilot launches promises to make waves in India's heritage tourism and riverfront development landscape.