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 along Kolkata’s riverfront, with the ₹10-crore project targeted for completion ahead of this year’s Durga Puja.
The initiative aims to rejuvenate a 300-metre stretch between Kumartuli Ghat and Champatala Ghat on the banks of the Hooghly River, while improving infrastructure, accessibility and visitor amenities in the culturally significant zone.
Work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption, especially during the festive season when the area becomes a hub for idol makers, devotees and visitors.
As part of the redevelopment, heritage ghats, temples and shrines will be repaired and restored using traditional building techniques to preserve the site’s cultural and spiritual character. Authorities also plan to strengthen riverbank protection, upgrade ritual platforms and develop pedestrian-friendly pathways with improved access to the river.
The project will also introduce dedicated spaces for artisans and cultural activities, along with facilities for boating and public gatherings. Planned additions include viewing decks, food courts, souvenir stalls and community toilets aimed at improving the experience for both residents and tourists.
Environmental measures form a key component of the plan, including green embankments, native riverine plantations and sacred groves inspired by Vrindavan. The redevelopment will also feature architectural lighting across the ghats and Kumartuli facades, along with safety and public service infrastructure such as surveillance systems and first-aid facilities.
SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman said Kumartuli represents Kolkata’s cultural identity and that the project goes beyond infrastructure development. He said the aim is to create a safer, cleaner and more accessible public space while preserving its heritage value.
Kumartuli is widely known as one of the world’s प्रमुख centres for idol-making, with thousands of Durga idols crafted there each year and transported across Kolkata, other parts of West Bengal and overseas destinations including the United States and Europe.
The riverfront holds added significance after Kolkata’s Durga Puja was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For generations, the area’s artisans and traditions have remained closely tied to the Hooghly River, making the project both a heritage conservation effort and an urban renewal initiative.
Once completed, the redeveloped Kumartuli Ghat is expected to serve as a vibrant public space blending cultural heritage with improved civic infrastructure and tourism facilities.
