SMPK partners with IIT-Kharagpur to develop Hooghly Riverbanks

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), formerly Kolkata Port, has engaged IIT-Kharagpur to prepare a master plan for developing the Hooghly riverbanks and ghats as part of a major initiative to boost tourism in West Bengal.

SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman, speaking at a tourism conclave organised by the Merchant Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), said the port authority is also planning a dedicated terminal for river cruises, on the lines of facilities in Varanasi and Assam. “In order to start a river cruise, we need a world-class river cruise terminal…We are building one in Bengal with the support of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. A tender will be floated soon,” he said.

Raman added that SMPK has 357 acres of land along the Kolkata riverbanks and 290 acres along the Howrah side, which are being developed under a Riverbank Masterplan. “We have roped in IIT-KGP for this. A tender has already been floated to develop a 1-km stretch at Jorabagan. We will also introduce dynamic lighting on the Howrah Bridge,” he said.

Future projects include Millennium Park 3 on the Hooghly, an iconic development at Armenian Ghat across four acres, and a new museum. Around five to six ghats will also be redeveloped by corporates under CSR initiatives.

Highlighting Bengal’s untapped tourism potential, Raman noted: “Unlike other parts of the country, tourism in West Bengal, despite immense diversity, is less explored. The Hooghly River forms a natural corridor for cruises connecting Kolkata and other historic towns. Our intention is to make the riverbanks hubs of activity.”

Bengal Minister of State for Tourism Indranil Sen confirmed state support, saying, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is keen on this project and has asked us to move forward in partnership with SMPK.”