The largest hospitality organization in India, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), stated that it will be working with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata to renovate Chotelal Ki Ghat. INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) is funding the project, which was first constructed in the 1870s on Kolkata’s Hooghly Riverfront. IHCL will contribute up to INR 5 crores to the initiative, which is in line with the Swachhata Initiatives and the Namami Gange Program of the Indian government.

“In keeping with its ESG+ framework of Paathya, IHCL is dedicated to conserving India’s cultural heritage while generating significant social and environmental impact. For the people of West Bengal, Chotelal ki Ghat has great historical and cultural significance. By improving the ghat’s aesthetic and practical value and fortifying the community’s connection to the river, the initiative seeks to rehabilitate and conserve it,” said Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, IHCL.

Chotelal Ki Ghat will be redeveloped with the help of IHCL and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. The Grade I Heritage site will be redeveloped through conservation and restoration, landscaping, and beautification, all of which will be carried out in partnership with preeminent heritage conservation organizations. Residents, visitors, stall vendors, local artists for painting boats and walls, and the general public would all benefit.

Shri Rathendra Raman, Chairman, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, said, “This Memorandum of Understanding with IHCL is a big step in the direction of heritage-led development. The historic Chotelal ki Ghat will be renovated with a nearly ₹5 crore CSR investment spread over a three-year period. This would not only restore the building’s cultural character but also increase its appeal as a public and tourist destination. Our common goals of community benefit, sustainable infrastructure, and maintaining Kolkata’s famous riverside for future generations are all reflected in this relationship”.

Environmental stewardship, social responsibility, governance, historical preservation, value-chain transformation, and sustainable growth are all included within IHCL’s Paathya ESG+ framework.

Priyanka Dutta