Riverfront revival: Kolkata falls in love with the river all over again

Kolkata grew along the banks of the Hooghly, yet for decades the riverfront remained one of the city’s most underused public spaces. Historic ghats from the 18th and 19th centuries gradually slipped into neglect as urban life drifted away from the water.

In recent years, however, conservation efforts, private initiatives and cultural activity have begun reviving the river’s edge, turning it into a vibrant hub of heritage, hospitality and public life. As Calcutta Times marks its 25th anniversary, this special series revisits the places that shape the city’s character — and the Hooghly riverfront stands as a striking symbol of Kolkata rediscovering its roots.A social and cultural venueAs Kolkata’s riverfront evolves into a cultural space, festivals and performances are becoming part of its new identity.

For musicians, the Hooghly offers an atmosphere few venues can match. “When you host a music festival by the river, the experience becomes bigger than the stage,” says Sukrit Sen of the Living Waters Museum. Piyush Singhee of The Barge Company says: “Spiritual rituals at dawn, ferry commuters, and now concerts, private events and wellness gatherings — culture here is central, not incidental,” adding that there’s something poetic about art unfolding on water.

Ghats as civic heritage spacesA little over two decades ago, Kolkata’s riverfront ghats were rarely places to linger. “Twenty-five years ago, the typical condition of a Kolkata ghat was dirty and unsafe — not somewhere people would visit,” says restorer and conservation enthusiast Mudar Patherya. For most residents, the ghats were purely functional. “They were where people went to relieve themselves or take their morning bath.

For many in south Kolkata, they entered public consciousness mainly during Mahalaya,” he recalls.

What has changed most, he says, is perception. “The decisive improvement is that the ghats have come into public currency.” Today, restoration efforts increasingly treat them as civic heritage spaces.

A much-needed restoration> Kumartuli Ghat: Located beside the idol-makers’ quarter, this ghat is being redeveloped. Plans include restoring the historic steps, strengthening the embankment and creating a landscaped promenade along a 300-metre riverfront stretch.> Mayer Ghat & Suriname Ghat: Both are being upgraded under a CSR initiative by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in collaboration with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to improve access, clean the river edge and upgrade public infrastructure.> Chotelal Ki Ghat: Indian Hotels Company Limited has partnered with the port to restore this 1870s heritage ghat, with plans to conserve the structure while developing the riverfront as a recreation and tourism zone.

Kolkata & Hooghly: An evolving relationshipFor much of the recent past, Kolkata’s relationship with the Hooghly remained largely utilitarian. “The Hooghly River has always been the spine of Kolkata’s history — trade, migration, culture, spirituality — everything flowed through it,” says Rishika Das Roy of The Barge Company. “Yet, for years, the river was seen mainly as industrial or functional. The idea behind introducing a hospitality barge was to reimagine it as experiential.

”Over the last decade, that perception has begun to shift as conservation efforts, curated public spaces and new hospitality concepts revive the riverfront. Roy sees floating venues as part of this change. “Kolkata’s riverfront has slowly begun reclaiming its vibrancy — from restored ghats to public spaces,” she says. “Revival isn’t just about beautification — it’s about activating spaces.” The transformation is also visible in the rise of riverfront dining at places such as Dockyard & Co.

, Polo Floatel and Bageecha Cafe. “People are rediscovering the river as a space of pause and pleasure,” says Manish K Pandey of Dockyard & Co. “The ambience is intentionally unhurried, allowing the river to be the protagonist.”Revitalising Kolkata’s Ghats is about renewing the city’s connection with its river. Through art and public engagement, we seek to restore their vibrancy while making heritage meaningful for today’s audiences. This initiative organized with support of and in association with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port reflects the power of collaboration in shaping a culturally connected future for the city.”— Laily Thompson, Founder, Kult X Heritage Foundation (That organized the River Festival)