The iconic city built in the 17th century on the banks of the river Hooghly has embarked on a mission to adorn its riverfront.

Inspired by the popular model of ‘London Eye’ along the Thames riverfront, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has completed the beautification of a 1.5 km stretch along the Hooghly between Babu Ghat and Princep Ghat near the Central Business District.

According to a KMC official, the riverfront will have marbled pavements, brightly lit gardens, parks for children, fountains and a joggers’ park. In addition, Victorian-era cast iron chairs and railings would greet passersby, ensuring a feel of the ‘Raj’ era once again in the city. KMC has roped in Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) as the co-ordinator to chalk out the detailed plan for the entire project, the official added.

The Riverfront Beatification Project will be carried out covering the 25-km stretch along the eastern banks of the river starting near the Writers’ Building up to Dakshineshwar towards the South.

KMC has so far identified 10 km stretch for the beautification project. At present, apart from the 1.5 km completed portion, work is in progress on another 300 metre stretch between Babu Ghat and Armenian Ghat in the North.

On the Princep Ghat side, the State Government is awaiting approval from the defence authorities to start work on another 1.6 km stretch down South.

The project has so far seen an investment of nearly Rs 6 crore for the completed 1.5 km stretch. However, KMC is yet to estimate the entire project cost.

Touted as a dream project of Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, the riverside would also be exploited as tourist destination to attract more foreign travellers once completed. The riverfront area will remain opened till midnight and policemen will be deployed to ensure safety.

Mr Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the former Mayor of Kolkata, is critical of the project. According to him, the beautification drive holds no meaning if proper cleanliness of the river water is not maintained. “There is prior need to maintain cleanliness of the river to sustain such beautification,” he said.

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