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NEW DELHI: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Kolkata (SMPK) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to restore and redevelop the historic Kumartuli Ghat riverfront in Kolkata, with work on the Rs 10-crore project set to be completed before this year’s Durga Puja. The initiative aims to revive the culturally significant stretch along the Hooghly River while improving infrastructure, accessibility and visitor facilities.The redevelopment will cover a 300-metre section between Kumartuli Ghat and Champatala Ghat, an area closely linked to Bengal’s centuries-old idol-making tradition. The project will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption, particularly during the Durga Puja season, when the riverfront becomes a focal point for artisans, devotees and visitors.Under the plan, heritage ghat structures, temples and shrines will be repaired and retrofitted using traditional construction techniques to preserve the area’s historic and spiritual character. Authorities will also strengthen riverbank protection, upgrade ritual platforms and create pedestrian-friendly pathways with universal access to the river’s edge.The redevelopment will introduce dedicated spaces for artisans, cultural programmes, boating activities and leisure. Viewing decks, food courts, souvenir stalls and community toilets will also be added to improve the experience for residents and tourists alike.Environmental sustainability forms a key part of the project. Plans include green embankments, native riverine plantations and sacred groves inspired by Vrindavan. Architectural lighting will be installed across the ghats and Kumartuli facades, while first-aid facilities, surveillance systems and other safety measures will be introduced to ensure better management of the precinct.“Kumartuli is Kolkata’s cultural soul. Through this partnership with APSEZ Limited, we are not just restoring infrastructure but reviving a space woven into West Bengal’s identity. The project will make the ghat safer, cleaner, and more welcoming for all,” Rathendra Raman, SMPK Chairman, said.Kumartuli occupies a unique place in Bengal’s cultural landscape as one of the world’s most recognised centres for idol-making. Every year, thousands of Durga idols crafted in the neighbourhood are transported from the eastern bank of the Hooghly River to puja pandals across Kolkata, other districts of West Bengal, and overseas destinations including the United States and several European countries.The riverfront’s significance has grown further since Kolkata’s Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For generations, Kumartuli’s artisans, rituals and community life have remained deeply connected to the Hooghly, making the restoration project both a heritage conservation effort and a modern urban renewal initiative.Once completed, the revamped Kumartuli Ghat is expected to function as a vibrant public space that combines Bengal’s artistic and religious traditions with improved civic infrastructure and visitor amenities.
