Latest news with #SMPKolkata
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Hooghly's heritage takes to water: Kolkata port plans floating cafés and museums
Wriiten by Sharadiya Mitra The Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), is offering a new opportunity to hospitality brands, tourism operators, and innovators to revolutionise tourism along the Hooghly river. The port invites proposals to repurpose three historic pilot launches—P.L. Rupsa, P.L. Hooghly, and P.L. Gopal—into floating spaces for culture, leisure, and tourism. These vessels, once key to guiding ships on the Hooghly since the late 1990s, are ready for a second life as cafés, museums, and public attractions. 'Inspired by the success of ventures like 'Bengal Paddle', SMP Kolkata envisions converting heritage vessels into floating cafés, museums, cruises, and event spaces. This initiative aims to preserve maritime history while enhancing community participation,' said Sanjay Mukherjee, Senior Public Relations Officer at SMPK. P.L. Rupsa and P.L. Hooghly, built in 1997, are steel-hulled and measure 32.90 metres each. Each offers 1,000-2,000 sq ft of usable space, with a capacity of 50-100 guests. P.L. Gopal, built in 1994 with a fiberglass hull, is 19.00 metres long and offers 800-1,000 sq ft, suitable for 30–50 guests. These structurally sound vessels are ideal for adaptive reuse and show strong potential as heritage tourism assets. Mukherjee added, 'SMP Kolkata is also offering free berthing at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) for retrofitting, along with complimentary jetty space for passenger and staff movement during operations. This is part of a broader mission to revive Kolkata's riverfront by blending culture, tourism, and commerce, while honoring its maritime heritage.' The project marks a bold step in reimagining Kolkata's riverfront. By turning historic vessels into floating landmarks, SMPK aims to merge tradition with innovation — a push for sustainable tourism. The writer is an intern with The Indian Express, Kolkata.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- 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.
India Today
10-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Kolkata port raises security level amid India-Pak tensions, cancels staff leave
In light of the prevailing national security situation, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata has escalated its security measures following a high-level virtual security review meeting chaired by Shri T. K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W), Government of meeting was attended by senior officials including Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairman, SMP Kolkata, Shri Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairman, SMP Kolkata, Ruchi Anand, Senior Commandant, CISF and Heads of Departments. After detailed discussions, Secretary (Shipping) guided the port authorities to implement stringent security protocols to protect critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted port on these robust security initiatives, Chairman Rathendra Raman said, 'At Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, the safety and security of our men, property & vessels is of utmost priority. Given the current national security situation, it is our collective responsibility to stay vigilant and prepared. We have elevated our security protocols in line with the directives of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the DG Shipping to ensure that our port remains a secure gateway for maritime trade.' Acting on the directive, SMP Kolkata has raised its security level to Level 2, as mandated by the Directorate General of Shipping. All personnel have been instructed to maintain high vigilance. Authorities have asked employees to report any suspicious activity in the port premises or waterways to the security personnel without maintain full operational readiness, the port has cancelled all employee leave—including that of contractual staff—from May 10 to May 14, 2025. Additionally, employees must remain at headquarters, even on their scheduled weekly off days. Pilots and dock pilots are also on high alert, ready to execute emergency evacuations from both Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) if Kolkata is also stepping up its cybersecurity infrastructure. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has been tasked with implementing strict protocols to prevent cyber threats. A detailed circular on this front will be issued will conduct regular security drills involving all stakeholders to ensure preparedness for any contingency. The port will suspend operations during any planned or unplanned blackout to mitigate risks tighten access control, CISF and PSO personnel have been directed to allow entry only to individuals with valid Dock Entry Permits or official Photo ID cards. IN THIS STORY#Kolkata#Operation Sindoor
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Kolkata Port launches night navigation on River Hooghly, significant increase in trade expected
The Kolkata Port Saturday successfully commenced night navigation in the upper reaches of the River Hooghly to the Bay of Bengal. This development will reduce turnaround time and pre-berthing detention of vessels. According to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), the inaugural run, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, saw the successful transit of container vessel M V SinarPenida carrying a cargo quantity of 8,000 MT from Budge Budge to the sea during complete darkness. Speaking of the achievement, Rathendra Raman, Chairman, SMPK, said, 'This is a historic day for SMP Kolkata. The successful introduction of night navigation in the upper stretches of the River Hooghly is a testament to the scientific and technological approach adopted by the port. It will significantly improve operational efficiency and turnaround time, paving the way for enhanced trade throughput.' Historically, the long and meandering 232-km river channel from the sea to Kolkata Dock System (KDS), marked by restrictions in navigable depth and strong cross-tidal currents, posed a significant challenge for continuous vessel movement. The absence of night navigation between Diamond Harbour and Kolkata was a longstanding impediment to optimal maritime operations, port authorities said. According to SMPK authorities, nighttime vessel transit through the river channel will now be done by using modern electronic aids like electronic charts and navigational simulators, and backed by significant improvements in navigation infrastructure, including track lights, transit lights, and illuminated channel buoys. The National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, prepared a comprehensive study and roadmap for night navigation in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp. A navigational simulator, jointly installed by IIT Madras and Applied Research International, is now operational to support pilot training and real-time scenario analysis, authorities stated. They also said that with the introduction of night navigation, the port is expected to witness a notable increase in the number of vessels that can be handled daily. 'The ability to operate round the clock will decongest the channel, facilitate quicker vessel turnaround, and directly impact critical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Pre-Berthing Delay, Berth Occupancy Rate, and Ship-Day Productivity. This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a more attractive and competitive hub for global shipping lines,' said Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairperson, SMPK. Raman also said, 'With further acclimatisation of pilots and continuous technological upgradation, we look forward to enabling night navigation for larger vessels with deeper drafts, ultimately transforming SMPK into a more agile and future-ready port.'
