A chorus of experts, academics, and citizens gathered recently at Jadavpur University, advocating passionately for the preservation of Kolkata’s iconic Ganga ghats. Their urgent call comes amidst growing concerns over relentless urbanisation, riverbank erosion, and pervasive pollution.
During a seminar titled “The Riverbank City: Kolkata and its Ghatscape,” speakers highlighted that the Ganga ghats are far more than just riverbanks; they are living testaments to India’s profound cultural and spiritual heritage. These experts underscored how unchecked development and escalating pollution are inflicting irreversible damage upon a riverfront that truly defines Kolkata’s unique character and holds a special place in the nation’s collective consciousness.
Kolkata boasts numerous ghats stretching from Mayer Ghat in Baghbazar in the north to Prinsep Ghat in the south. Each of these structures narrates a story of Kolkata and West Bengal’s colonial past, embodying a vibrant tapestry of history.
These ghats serve as dynamic hubs where architectural heritage, bustling trade, essential ferry services, and various religious and cultural practices — from festive immersions to solemn cremations — converge. They intricately connect the city and its people to the mighty Ganga, standing in the shadow of the historic Howrah Bridge.
Kalyan Rudra, a distinguished river scientist and Chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, emphasised the Ganga’s significance: “This river is a global heritage and the very lifeline of Bengal.” He pointed out that the discharge of untreated industrial waste has plagued the river’s water quality since the British era. While initiatives like the Ganga Action Plan and Namami Gange have led to improvements, the presence of Coliform bacteria remains a significant challenge. Rudra affirmed ongoing efforts to craft a more comprehensive strategy for restoring the river and its historically rich ghats, stressing the critical role of public awareness in preventing local communities from discarding household waste into the river.
Kaberi Roy of the Kolkata Port Trust (also known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata or SMPK), which oversees the city’s Ganga ghats, shared that recent collaborative projects aimed at restoring the ghats represent a positive step towards preserving Kolkata’s heritage.
She specifically mentioned the partnership between Kolkata Port Trust and Adani Ports for the restoration of the historic Kumartuli ghat. Similarly, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. is slated to work on the Mayer Ghat and Surinam Ghat, while Srijan Realty will restore the Armenian ghat, and the Taj Group is taking on Chotelal Ki Ghat.
Official sources from the Kolkata Port Trust indicate that Telkal ghat and Nimtala Immersion ghat are next in line for their much-needed restoration.
Boosting Public Awareness
At the event, Atreyee Basak, co-founder of ‘The Ganges Walk’ – a popular heritage walk experience along these iconic ghats – highlighted crucial issues such as encroachment, poor maintenance, pervasive pollution, and a general lack of heritage conservation. She stated, “We desperately need mass awareness. While restoration work is happening, there isn’t enough focus on truly conserving the historic structures of the Ganga ghats.”
However, several speakers voiced reservations regarding the involvement of private entities in the conservation and restoration of these historically significant sites. They advocated strongly for robust collaborations among conservation architects, archaeologists, researchers, and history experts. Their goal: to ensure that the unique history and authentic character of these ghats are not diluted or lost in the process of private modernisation efforts.