Kolkata Port to Transform Historic Ships into Floating Venues for Tourism and Culture
The Kolkata port authorities are repurposing three historic river ships into floating venues for tourism and culture, inspired by the successful transformation of the vintage paddle steamer PS Bopal. This initiative aims to revitalize the Hooghly River’s banks, merging heritage with modern attractions like cafes and event spaces.
The Kolkata port authorities have launched a project to transform three historic river ships into floating venues for tourism, culture, and leisure. This initiative follows the successful conversion of the 1944 vintage paddle steamer PS Bopal into the popular Heritage Cruise ‘Bengal Paddle’ in 2022.
The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) of Kolkata, previously known as the Kolkata Port Trust, is seeking ideas from entrepreneurs and creative partners. The goal is to repurpose decommissioned vessels, including the mushroom plupsa, ploogly, and PL-Gopal, into attractions like floating cafes and event spaces tailored for weddings and gatherings on the scenic Hooghly River.
This initiative aims to revitalize the city’s historic riverbank, merging heritage with modern culture and commerce. The plupsa and ploogly, built in 1997, provide ample space, accommodating 50 to 100 guests across 2,000 square meters. The smaller PL-Gopal, constructed in 1994, offers a unique setting for 30 to 50 guests within 1,000 square meters.
To encourage participation, the Kolkata Dock System is providing free retrofitting and operational space for those involved in this endeavor, aiming to create vibrant new attractions along the river.
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