State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 21 Jul 2025

Doi Ghat Redevelopment Along Hooghly River

Why in News? 

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, and TNS Logi-Park Pvt. Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to redevelop the historic Doi (Dahi) Ghat under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aiming to restore its cultural and economic legacy. 

• The Doi Ghat project aligns with SMP’s broader initiative to develop and beautify the Hooghly riverfront for cultural revival and tourism. 

Key Points 

• Historical and Cultural Significance of Doi Ghat: 
  • Located at the confluence of Adi Ganga and the Hooghly River, opposite Howrah. 
  • The name "Doi Ghat" is derived from the Bengali word doi (curd), due to its historic link to the dairy trade from Howrah. 
  • It was a vital riverine trade and cultural exchange point between rural Bengal and colonial Calcutta. 
• Significance of the MoU: 
  • Urban Heritage Conservation: Revives a forgotten socio-cultural landmark. 
  • Public-Private Partnership (PPP): Demonstrates successful collaboration for social development. 
  • Tourism and Community Engagement: Adds to riverfront aesthetics and fosters cultural pride. 
  • Sustainable Development: Integrates heritage, environment, and infrastructure goals. 
  • Alignment with Clean Ganga Mission: Supports the broader national objective of restoring sacred rivers. 
• About Adi Ganga: 
  • Known historically as Gobindapur Creek, Surman’s Canal, and Tolly’s Canal. 
  • Served as the main course of the Hooghly River between the 15th and 17th centuries before silting and diversion. 
  • Currently a polluted urban water body; efforts are underway for its revival and rejuvenation, including:  
    • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has sanctioned ₹650 crore. 
    • Adi Ganga included in a multi-country South Asian river pollution combat project. 
• Hooghly River:  
  • A 260 km distributary of the Ganga originating from Murshidabad. 
  • Formed when the Ganga splits into Padma (towards Bangladesh) and Hooghly (towards West Bengal). 
  • Known also as Bhagirathi-Hooghly or Kati-Ganga. 
  • Crucial for port trade, transport, cultural life, and religious activities in Bengal.