The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has implemented a new standard operating procedure (SOP), making it mandatory for all new statues and busts to be vetted by a dedicated civic committee.
This development aims to strike a balance between preserving Kolkata’s rich heritage and ensuring sustainable urban planning. The newly formed committee will oversee every proposal, evaluating critical factors such as pedestrian accessibility, the presence of underground utilities, and the structural specifications of the proposed statues. The objective is to prevent haphazard installations that could obstruct public spaces, disrupt urban aesthetics, or affect the city’s infrastructure. The SOP mandates that applicants submit detailed proposals, including architectural sketches of the proposed site, biographical information about the individual to be honoured, specifications of the materials to be used, and details about the funding sources for construction and maintenance. Additionally, applicants must provide an undertaking ensuring the statue’s long-term upkeep.
Following the submission, KMC officials will conduct an on-site inspection, focusing on footpath width—ranging from one to four metres across the city—and assessing whether the statue’s installation will impede pedestrian movement. The inspection report will be reviewed by the committee, which comprises officials from key municipal departments, including the mayoral council, the additional municipal commissioner, and the chief engineers of five KMC divisions. Each proposal will undergo multiple layers of scrutiny before receiving final approval from the mayoral council. During the construction phase, an executive engineer from the relevant borough will be responsible for supervising the project to ensure adherence to the approved plans. This move is expected to empower the KMC to take stricter action against illegal or unauthorised statues, a longstanding issue in the city. The KMC Act has always granted the civic body the authority to remove unauthorised structures from public spaces, but the establishment of a dedicated committee enhances the enforcement mechanism, providing a structured approach to managing public art installations.
The need for such a framework has been underscored by recent findings, revealing that between 2013 and 2024, around 189 statues and busts were installed across Kolkata without a formal monitoring system. The absence of a standard process raised concerns about the uniformity, cultural significance, and spatial impact of these installations. Critics have also pointed out the lack of diversity in the representation of statues, with a notable imbalance in gender representation and underrepresentation of minority communities. An RTI inquiry previously revealed that of the 189 sculptures, 153 were of men, 32 were of women, and only four represented conceptual figures such as language martyrs. This data has sparked discussions about the need for more inclusive representation in public art. Experts advocate for a more balanced approach that not only preserves the city’s historical legacy but also reflects its diverse demographic and cultural landscape. They suggest that the new SOP should include guidelines for promoting gender-neutral and culturally inclusive statues, ensuring that public spaces celebrate Kolkata’s rich tapestry of identities.
The introduction of this committee and SOP is a step towards more responsible urban governance, where public art serves not just as a tribute to history but also as a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive urban development. As Kolkata continues to evolve, the challenge lies in harmonising the city’s historical ethos with the demands of modern urban living, fostering a cityscape that is both vibrant and equitable. With these new guidelines in place, the city is poised to transform its approach to public art, ensuring that each statue not only honours its subject but also contributes positively to Kolkata’s dynamic urban fabric.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation Sets Rules for Statue Installations
