Kumartuli Ghat in Kolkata undergoes heritage restoration

The Kumartuli Ghat in Kolkata has been transformed from a dilapidated state into a vibrant cultural center through a collaboration between the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Ltd.

As the custodian of the Hooghly riverfront, SMPA aims to restore heritage-rich ghats to serve as citizen-centric, multi-pronged cultural centers. The project followed UNESCO guidelines to ensure the development is inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, specifically focusing on the area's status as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity site.

The restoration involved interventions regarding Grade-I monuments, existing temples, and a 1905 heritage facade. The design emphasizes preserving the indigenous ghat system, introducing ritual platforms, and creating a pedestrianized precinct that provides universal access to the water while accounting for hydrological shifts.