Kolkata, 04 June (H.S.) :

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday announced a major initiative to modernise the state’s water transport system, including the introduction of a Water Metro service in Kolkata. The announcement came after a high-level meeting held at the state secretariat with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, where several key issues related to waterways and port development were discussed.

The Chief Minister said that the Water Metro project in Kolkata will be fast-tracked to make river-based transport more efficient and modern, aiming to ease pressure on the city’s road traffic. He described the initiative as the beginning of a new era in inland water transport in the state.

During the meeting, it was also decided that a total of 44 jetties will be constructed across the state, while 25 jetties under the national waterways project are in the final stages of completion. In addition, beautification and renovation work has already begun at several key ghats, including Baghbazar, Ahiritola, Sovabazar, Mallick Ghat, Ramakrishna Ghat, and Bandhaghat, with a target to complete the work before Durga Puja.

Focus on Gangasagar Development

The Chief Minister also emphasised plans to develop the Gangasagar Mela into an international-level event. He said that the coastal area around Kapil Muni Ashram will be developed to improve facilities for pilgrims and boost tourism in the region.

Strict instructions were also issued to crack down on illegal encroachments and unlawful activities in the Kolkata Port area, with the government prioritising transparency and discipline in port operations.

The Chief Minister further stated that due to insufficient land availability at the proposed Tajpur port site, the project will now be developed at Dadanpatrighat, located about 10 kilometres away. The new site reportedly offers around 1,700 acres of land, making it suitable for the development of a deep-sea port.

The state government believes these initiatives will significantly boost inland water transport, trade, logistics, and employment opportunities in West Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh