Kolkata, May 15, 2025 — In a move blending history with innovation, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has opened bids to transform three vintage river vessels into vibrant floating venues for tourism, art, and leisure.
Inspired by the successful revival of the historic paddle steamer PS Bhopal—now the popular heritage cruise Bengal Paddle—this initiative promises to redefine the Hooghly riverfront.
Key Highlights:
- Three Decommissioned Vessels on Offer:
- PL Rupsa and PL Hooghly (built 1997):
- Steel hulls
- Length: 32.9 meters
- Usable space: ~2,000 sq ft
- Capacity: 50–100 guests
- PL Gopal (built 1994):
- Fibreglass-reinforced plastic hull
- Usable space: ~1,000 sq ft
- Capacity: 30–50 guests
- 🎯 Vision:
- Convert these historic pilot launches into:
- Floating cafés
- Mini museums
- Heritage cruise boats
- Wedding and event venues
- Perks for Bidders:
- Free berthing at Kolkata Dock System for retrofitting
- Complimentary jetty space for guest boarding and operations
- Broader Goal:
- Revitalize Kolkata’s riverfront into a dynamic hub of heritage, culture, and commerce
“These vessels offer significant potential to become revenue-generating heritage assets,” said an SMP official.