Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata has invited bids to repurpose three decommissioned pilot vessels into floating attractions.
The initiative aims to transform the former service boats into venues such as cafés, cruise boats, museums, and even wedding destinations, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The vessels—PL Rupsa, PL Hooghly, and PL Gopal—were originally deployed in the 1990s to guide ships on the Hooghly and have now been earmarked for adaptive reuse. Inspired by the successful makeover of the 1944-built paddle steamer PS Bhopal into the heritage cruise ‘Bengal Paddle’ in 2022, this project forms part of a wider effort to revitalise Kolkata’s riverfront. According to SMP officials, PL Rupsa and PL Hooghly, both constructed in 1997 with steel hulls, offer 2,000 sq ft of usable space each and can accommodate 50 to 100 guests. The smaller PL Gopal, built in 1994 with a fibreglass-reinforced plastic hull, provides up to 1,000 sq ft, suitable for 30 to 50 guests.
“These vessels present an exciting opportunity to create revenue-generating heritage assets that celebrate the city’s maritime legacy,” the port official said. To attract entrepreneurs, designers, and tourism operators, the port is offering free berthing space at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) during the retrofitting phase. Additionally, jetty space will be provided for boarding and operational use post-restoration. This initiative is aligned with SMP Kolkata’s broader vision to blend heritage with modern leisure infrastructure, making the riverfront a dynamic public space where history and commerce coexist.
Proposals for the conversion are now open, as the port looks to engage creative partners and private stakeholders in developing new-age cultural experiences rooted in Kolkata’s historic waterways.
