‘Kolkata Eye’, 60-ft Durga idol to come up on Howrah ghat

Howrah: Acting on instructions from chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, a ‘Kolkata Eye’ and a 60ft ashtadhatu Durga idol will be built along the Hooghly at Ramkrishnapur Ghat in Howrah. Lightning protection will be installed and seats will be set up for visitors. Howrah North MLA and minister of state for urban development and municipal affairs Umesh Rai announced the plan after inspecting Ramkrishnapur and some other ghats on Thursday evening.He added two giant metal bows would be installed on either side of the Durga idol framework. Rai said incense would be lit daily, and priests and other staff would be appointed for regular worship.Rai said the projects would be implemented jointly by the Kolkata Port Trust and the state and the aim was to wrap up before Durga Puja. He said once he work ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi might visit to see it. Rai told reporters the beautification drive would cover not only Ramkrishnapur Ghat but also “every ghat in Howrah, Belur and Bally”. An initial Rs 1.8 crore has been allocated, with the budget expected to increase. The tender process was completed, he added.Senior engineers from port trust, KMDA and Howrah Municipal Corporation accompanied Rai on the inspection.