‘The Dying Ghats of Calcutta’: Panel says compromised by state and union quarrels

KOLKATA: Quarrels between the Government of Kolkata and Government of India have led to the distressing situation of Kolkata’s heritage and riverfronts, stated a former top bureaucrat of the Government of Bengal on Sunday, February 20. “The trifurcation of duties between Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), and Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) for the riverfront development project has made the process more difficult,” quoted Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

He was speaking at the screening of documentary ‘The Dying Ghats of Calcutta’, which focused on both the majestic architecture along the Hooghly and the neglect of the river’s ghats. The river, including the riverbank, is cared for by the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT). The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is in charge of managing approach roads, garbage management, and approving home proposals near the river, including the ghats. The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority is in charge of determining what kind of development is permitted along the river. For things to happen along the river, these three units, which are affiliated with two levels of government (central and state), must be on the same page.

While the KMC and KMDA are under the control of the state government, the KoPT, is under the control of the central government. “The fundamental issue that still to be handled is the lack of consensus across these organisations. A special-purpose entity involving all of these government organisations was envisioned, but it never got off the ground,” he explained. Atreyee Basak and Poulomee Auddy produced, filmed, and directed the documentary, which was screened at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture. A panel discussion with Jawhar Sircar, Member of Rajya Sabha, Artist Suvaprasanna, Heritage Conservationist G.M. Kapur, and Bandyopadhyay followed.

The event was part of a three-day river celebration that began on Thursday and ended on Saturday. Laily Thompson, a Kolkata native who has lived in the United Kingdom for some years, was one of the festival’s organisers. “The river festival is now in its second year. The next version will be held in November when the weather permits a gathering on the ghats,” she stated.