Kolkata’s Mullick ghat flower market set for major renovation & expansion
Times of India | 26 March 2025
Kolkata: The popular flower market near Mullick Ghat might finally see an overhaul, with proper entrances and exits, parking lots, and most importantly, no encroachment on the Howrah Bridge, if the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port accepts a proposal sent to them by Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The proposal was discussed during a joint visit to the ghats by the top officials of all three agencies on Monday.
According to the plan, the police requested Port authorities, which is beginning a beautification drive of the ghats along the river Hooghly, to redevelop the market between Mullick Ghat and the adjoining Chotelal Ghat. "When the work begins, the flower traders will face some displacement. For this, we have jointly identified a Port land which is now occupied by a transport company. While this work goes on, they can shift here," said a senior cop at Lalbazar.
The police claimed that with several foreign tourists now regularly visiting the market, a dedicated parking lot and bio-toilets were also the need of the hour. "It is equally important that vehicles to the market do not occupy the Howrah Bridge approach," added the officer.
On Monday, the top officials inspected the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata from the river. Among those present were SPMP Chairman Rathendra Raman, Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Jain, and Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma. Engineers from the municipality and the port, along with senior traffic cops, were also present. Discussions were also held on the renovation and expansion of Armenian Ghat, Gwalior Ghat, Baje Kadamtala Ghat, and Daighat. There was also consensus on the renovation of Kumartuli, Nimtala, and Ahiritola Ghats.
On Monday, the inspection extended from Daighat to Mayer Bari along the riverbank. Cops stated that renovation work is expected to begin by mid-April, though Port officials stated on Tuesday that no date or exact flow of work has been fixed yet. The Port sought opinions from KMC and police so that their concerns can be addressed. "We suggested a police outpost, adequate bio-toilets, CCTV cameras, and watch towers along the river banks as now the entire river bank has become popular. Guests are using the railway toilets in the absence of bio-toilets in the area," reminded a KMC official.
Temporary ramps are built there during festivals, and constructing permanent concrete platforms would be beneficial for both immersions and festivals. Additionally, some ghats have steps but lack ramps, and discussions were held about building concrete ramps or platforms, claimed sources.
Kolkata: The popular flower market near Mullick Ghat might finally see an overhaul, with proper entrances and exits, parking lots, and most importantly, no encroachment on the Howrah Bridge, if the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port accepts a proposal sent to them by Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The proposal was discussed during a joint visit to the ghats by the top officials of all three agencies on Monday.
According to the plan, the police requested Port authorities, which is beginning a beautification drive of the ghats along the river Hooghly, to redevelop the market between Mullick Ghat and the adjoining Chotelal Ghat. "When the work begins, the flower traders will face some displacement. For this, we have jointly identified a Port land which is now occupied by a transport company. While this work goes on, they can shift here," said a senior cop at Lalbazar.
The police claimed that with several foreign tourists now regularly visiting the market, a dedicated parking lot and bio-toilets were also the need of the hour. "It is equally important that vehicles to the market do not occupy the Howrah Bridge approach," added the officer.
On Monday, the top officials inspected the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata from the river. Among those present were SPMP Chairman Rathendra Raman, Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Jain, and Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma. Engineers from the municipality and the port, along with senior traffic cops, were also present. Discussions were also held on the renovation and expansion of Armenian Ghat, Gwalior Ghat, Baje Kadamtala Ghat, and Daighat. There was also consensus on the renovation of Kumartuli, Nimtala, and Ahiritola Ghats.
On Monday, the inspection extended from Daighat to Mayer Bari along the riverbank. Cops stated that renovation work is expected to begin by mid-April, though Port officials stated on Tuesday that no date or exact flow of work has been fixed yet. The Port sought opinions from KMC and police so that their concerns can be addressed. "We suggested a police outpost, adequate bio-toilets, CCTV cameras, and watch towers along the river banks as now the entire river bank has become popular. Guests are using the railway toilets in the absence of bio-toilets in the area," reminded a KMC official.
Temporary ramps are built there during festivals, and constructing permanent concrete platforms would be beneficial for both immersions and festivals. Additionally, some ghats have steps but lack ramps, and discussions were held about building concrete ramps or platforms, claimed sources.