SMP Kolkata Unveils Opportunity to give Facelift to Iconic Pilot Launchesas Floating Heritage & Hospitality Destinations

Kolkata, May 14, 2025

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP, Kolkata) is launching a new opportunity for innovators, hospitality brands, and tourism operators. This move aims to change heritage tourism along the Hooghly River. The Port is inviting proposals to repurpose three (3) of its historic pilot launches—P.L. Rupsa, P.L. Hooghly and P.L. Gopal—into dynamic floating venues for tourism, culture, and leisure. These boats date back to the late 1990s and were originally used to help ships navigate the Hooghly River. Now, they present an exciting opportunity to become cultural landmarks.

Inspired by successful initiatives like P. S. Bhopal, a paddle steamer, which has been renamed as ‘Bengal Paddle’ and operated for events and heritage tours, SMP, Kolkata aims to reimagine these vessels. Potential conversions include floating cafés, heritage cruises, mobile museums, wedding venues, and performance spaces. This vision not only preserves history but also breathes new life into these vessels, benefiting the community.

Vessel details

Built in 1997, the P.L. Rupsa and P.L. Hooghly features sturdy steel hulls and spacious dimensions, measuring 32.90 meters in length, 6.00 meters in breadth, and 3.80 metres in depth. Each vessel has a gross registered tonnage (GRT) of 105 tons and provides between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet of usable space, making them ideal for hosting 50 to 100 guests. The P.L. Gopal, on the other hand, was constructed in 1994 with a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) hull, measures 19.00 meters in length and can accommodate 30 to 50 people within an 800 to 1,000 square foot usable area. Each of these vessels holds significant potential to be transformed into attractive, revenue-generating assets.

SMP, Kolkata is actively seeking participation from a diverse group of stakeholders for this exciting initiative. They are encouraging proposals from tourism and river cruise operators, hospitality and event management companies, restaurant and café chains, heritage conservation bodies, as well as joint ventures and consortiums. The focus is on developing concepts for multi-cuisine restaurants, themed dining experiences, and cultural spaces that will celebrate the rich history and vibrant contemporary culture of Bengal. This presents a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations across various sectors to contribute to and benefit from the enhancement of the region’s cultural and tourism landscape.

To facilitate the transformation of these heritage vessels, SMP, Kolkata is offering free berthing at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) for necessary repairs and retrofitting, along with complimentary jetty space for embarking and disembarking passengers and operational staff during service. This initiative is part of SMP, Kolkata’s larger vision to rejuvenate Kolkata’s historic riverfront by seamlessly blending tourism, culture, and commerce while paying homage to the city’s rich maritime legacy.

SMP, Kolkata is evolving beyond its traditional maritime function to become a dynamic hub for creativity, culture, and commerce along the Hooghly River. The initiative to convert historic vessels into floating landmarks represents a strategic effort to enhance riverfront engagement and public interaction with the waterways. This transformation is positioned to leverage technological advancements and innovative designs, fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, cultural stakeholders, and thought leaders. As SMP, Kolkata explores new avenues for economic and cultural enrichment, it invites key players to contribute to a visionary framework that ensures sustainable growth and vibrant community experiences on the waterfront.

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Photo: Artistic impression of one of the Pilot Launch.

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