Kolkata's Mullick Ghat flower market to be renovated

Kolkata's Mullick Ghat flower market is set to undergo a major renovation and expansion. The plan aims to create proper entrances and exits, parking lots, and eliminate any encroachment on the Howrah Bridge. This proposal has been sent to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port by the Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Officials from the police, municipal corporation, and port discussed the upgrades during a site visit on Monday. The redevelopment plan will focus on the area between Mullick Ghat and the nearby Chotelal Ghat. To accommodate flower traders during construction, a senior police officer indicated that they have identified land currently occupied by a transport company where traders can temporarily move. With an increase in foreign tourists visiting the market, officials emphasize the need for a dedicated parking lot and bio-toilets. It is also crucial that vehicles traveling to the market do not obstruct access to the Howrah Bridge, according to the police. During the inspection, key officials, including SPMP Chairman Rathendra Raman and Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Jain, reviewed the riverbanks of the Ganges. They also discussed plans to renovate other ghats, such as Armenian Ghat and Gwalior Ghat. Renovations for the Kumartuli, Nimtala, and Ahiritola Ghats were also agreed upon. Renovation work is expected to start by mid-April, though port officials say that no exact timeline has been set yet. The port has requested feedback from the KMC and police to address their concerns. Suggestions included establishing a police outpost, installing bio-toilets, CCTV cameras, and watch towers along the riverbanks. Currently, some guests rely on railway toilets due to the lack of facilities in the area. The officials also discussed the need for permanent ramps in place of temporary ones used during festivals, which would benefit public accessibility and safety.