Kolkata on Thames

The workshop recommended ways to develop an urban design framework that will focus on the future use of the warehouses on Strand Road, the waterfront around that area and the heritage zone of Dalhousie, all in central Kolkata.

The British Department of Trade and Industry funded the British delegation’s trip, members of which had earlier been involved in developing the Thames’ waterfront and various heritage zones in London.

‘‘Calcutta has to be packaged so that it can be attractive to tourists,’’ says Paul Davis, Director, English Heritage, a British government agency. ‘‘Strand Road has those enormous warehouses which are in ramshackle condition. They should be retained, renovated and used for commercial purposes like setting up offices, restaurants etc,’’ says Davis, a historian by profession.

British experts have estimated the operation will cost about œ 20 million most of which is expected to be generated from private investors. ‘‘Members of the corporate houses showed keenness in investing in the project,’’ says Eric Reynolds, a member of the delegation.

The workshop was attended by officials of the Calcutta Port Trust, various civic bodies, government agencies, members of the corporate houses, banks, architects and academics.

The British delegation is led by George Nicholson, chairman of the London Rivers Association, an NGO that has been instrumental in keeping the Thames clean.

‘‘I read a paper on how to beautify the city at a workshop that was held during the tri-centenary celebrations of Calcutta in 1990,’’ says Nicholson. With the West Bengal government showing a keen interest, an action plan was chalked out at a workshop held in February 2000. Following that, Nicholson got other experts to work on improving the waterfront.

‘‘Today we have handed over our recommendations to the West Bengal government. We will send the full report at the end of this month,’’ says Nicholson who’s developed warehouses and heritage zones in London too. ‘‘The warehouses and the adjoining area along the Ganga and those along Thames are similar. We can use our experience in working here,’’ he says.