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News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
GRSE to beautify two ghats along Hooghly river under MoU with Kolkata Port
Last Updated: Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) State-owned warship builder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) will beautify two ghats along the Hooghly river under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) on Wednesday. The two are Suriname Ghat in south Kolkata's Garden Reach area and Mayer Ghat in the northern part of the city's Bagbazar localities, according to a statement. The initiative is part of SMPK's drive to restore the city's iconic riverfront infrastructure and highlight its historical legacy. Suriname Ghat holds major historical significance as the departure point for over 34,000 indentured labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who were shipped to Suriname between 1873 and 1916. The first such vessel, 'Lalla Rookh', left from the ghat in 1873 with 410 passengers. These labourers played a crucial role in shaping Surinamese society despite facing difficult conditions, and the ghat remains a symbol of that migration era. Mayer Ghat has spiritual importance, being associated with Ma Sarada, the consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. She is known to have used this ghat during her visits to 'Udbodhan', the residence and publication house of the Ramakrishna Mission. The site is closely tied to Kolkata's religious and cultural heritage. PTI BSM NN view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
MoU to revamp ‘Doi Ghat' as part of Hooghly riverfront development
The name Doi Ghat is derived from 'Doi' or curd in Bengali, reflecting its past as a hub where dairy products and other goods arrived in earthen pots from Howrah. The Doi Ghat holds historical significance as a key landing point for the dairy trade between Howrah and Kolkata. Kolkata, Jul 18 (PTI) The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) Kolkata has partnered with TNS Logi-Park Private Ltd to redevelop and beautify the historic 'Doi Ghat' on the banks of the Hooghly River, furthering its efforts to rejuvenate the city's riverfront. Howrah was once known for its flourishing dairy sector. Strategically located at the confluence of the Adi Ganga and the Hooghly's main channel, the ghat played an important role in riverine trade and daily exchanges between rural Bengal and the then growing city of Calcutta. The ghat will undergo redevelopment to enhance its heritage character while modernising its infrastructure. The project will also improve access and public utilities at the site. SMPK has been actively working to restore several historic ghats as part of its broader Hooghly riverfront beautification drive. Similar partnerships have already been undertaken for the renovation of Kumartuli and Nimtala ghats. Once completed, the revamped Doi Ghat is expected to contribute to tourism, community engagement, and the preservation of Kolkata's riverine heritage. PTI BSM SBN SBN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Adani Ports to join hands with Kolkata Port Trust to restore Kumartuli ghat in Kolkata
Kolkata Port Trust has joined hands with the Adani Ports to restore the historic Kumartuli ghat — a culturally significant site for city's history on the banks of Hooghly River — in the northern parts of Kolkata. The Kolkata Port Trust or Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) on Friday (July 11, 2025) for the redevelopment, restoration, and beautification of the Kumartuli ghat. Speaking on the occasion, Rathendra Raman, Chairman of SMP Kolkata, said, 'Kumartuli Ghat is not just a site—it is a living legacy of Bengal's artistic soul. Through this partnership with Adani Ports, we are not only restoring a physical structure but also reviving a space deeply woven into Kolkata's cultural fabric.' This initiative comes as a part of the SMPK's Swachhata drive to help restore one of the oldest iconic ghats on the banks of river Hooghly, which is also the residence of the Durga idol artisans of Kolkata who reside beside the Kumartuli ghats for generations. 'Taking responsibility to renovate such a heritage ghat like Kumartuli, which is sentimentally very much linked to Kolkata, is definitely an honour for APSEZ Ltd.,' Subrat Tripathy, President, Business Development, APSEZ Ltd., said. The restoration work aims to preserve the heritage architecture of the ghat and to make it cleaner and safer for the residents of the area and also attract tourists to focus on the iconic waterfronts of the city. There are 39 ghats in the banks of Hooghly River, along with the Kumartuli ghat, the port authorities also plan to restore 4 more ghats in the area. 'Chotelal ghat, Mayer ghat, Telkal ghat, and Nimtala Immersion ghat are also next in line for restoration in the upcoming days. Kolkata Municipal Corporation, police, and all other stakeholders are involved in the restoration process,' official sources at the Kolkata Port Trust told The Hindu.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kolkata Diary: Civic body mulls tourist centre at city wetlands
Heritage-rich city ghat set for restoration The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata has entered an agreement with Adani Ports for redevelopment, restoration, and beautification of the historic Kumartuli Ghat in 'North Calcutta' — the ancient city. The agreement marks a significant move to rejuvenate a heritage-rich location along the Hooghly River. As part of the MoU, the Kumartuli Ghat — known for its legacy of traditional idol-making — will undergo heritage-compliant redevelopment and beautification, with due regard to environmental sustainability and cultural sensitivity. 'We are not merely restoring a physical structure but a space deeply woven into Kolkata's cultural fabric,' SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman said. Civic body mulls tourist centre at city wetlands The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) plans to develop a state-of-the-art tourist centre around the East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site i.e. protected for its ecological significance and biodiversity. Municipal & Urban Development minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim said the area will be made into a tourist attraction by protecting the natural beauty and biodiversity of the East Kolkata wetlands. The KMC has already sent a proposal to the state government in this regard. Neglected for long, the KMC finally plans to revive the ecologically-significant zones in the city, bringing houseboats, setting up restaurants and other activities for tourists. State govt to host business conclave The West Bengal government is set to host a business and industrial summit during the last quarter of this calendar year. Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chaired a meeting at State headquarters Nabanna, to take stock of the investment proposals and decided to host the conclave. Chief Minister's Principal Chief Advisor Amit Mitra said core sectors like steel, leather, apparel and hosiery, gems and jewellery, food, food processing and associated industries, and pharma and medical equipment sectors will be prioritised in the conclave. Moreover, the summit will also focus on boosting cultural and historical tourism in Bengal, the officer said. Kaushik Pradhan Our correspondent in West Bengal kaushik@
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
SMP Kolkata partners with Adani Ports to restore Kumartuli Ghat on the banks of Hooghly
KOLKATA: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) for the redevelopment, restoration, and beautification of Kumartuli Ghat, a culturally significant site on the banks of the Hooghly River. The initiative is part of SMPK's Swachhata drive and marks a major partnership to revive a heritage landmark associated with Bengal's iconic idol-making traditions. The project aims to carry out heritage-compliant redevelopment with a focus on environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. Speaking on the occasion, SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman said, 'Kumartuli Ghat is not just a site — it is a living legacy of Bengal's artistic soul. Through this partnership with Adani Ports, we are not only restoring a physical structure but also reviving a space deeply woven into Kolkata's cultural fabric. This initiative is a proud moment in our Swachhata drive, where heritage meets modern civic responsibility.'
