IHCL will invest up to ₹50 million in restoring, beautifying, and landscaping the 19th-century heritage landmark on Kolkata’s River Hooghly.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, to redevelop Chotelal Ki Ghat, a Grade I heritage site along the River Hooghly. Originally constructed in the 1870s, the ghat is a landmark of historical and cultural significance for the city.
The initiative is supported by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and aligns with the government’s Namami Gange Programme and Swachhata Initiatives. IHCL will invest up to ₹50 million towards the restoration, beautification, and landscaping of the site.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, IHCL, said the project aims to restore and conserve the ghat, enhancing its aesthetic and functional value while strengthening the community’s connection to the river.
The redevelopment will benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including local artists engaged in wall and boat painting, stall vendors, residents, tourists, and the broader community. The project is designed to foster inclusive development while preserving Kolkata’s riverfront heritage.
Rathendra Raman, Chairman, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, described the MoU as a significant step towards heritage-led development. He said the renovation would restore the ghat’s cultural essence and enhance its appeal as a public and tourist destination, reflecting a shared vision of sustainable infrastructure and community benefit.
IHCL and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port will collaborate with leading heritage conservation bodies to execute the project. The scope includes architectural restoration, landscape design, and public space enhancement, positioning Chotelal Ki Ghat as a model for culturally rooted urban renewal.