UK help may make Howrah ‘Sheffield of the East’

UK help may make Howrah ‘Sheffield of the East’

Express news service

Posted online: Friday, April 18, 2008 at 0205 hrs IST

Kolkata, April 17
The much-needed revival of Howrah — Kolkata's twin city on the bank of the river Hooghly — could be a reality very soon. A major UK consultancy firm, Mott MacDonald, has identified three projects that could rejuvenate the decaying industrial city.

The consultancy, which was appointed by the state government and Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) for drawing out a roadmap for the city's revival, will submit its final report by the end of this year.

Michael Moulds, Mott MacDonald's team leader for urban and regional planning international, said: "We prepared a broad rejuvenation strategy for the entire area and have identified three catalytic projects for redevelopment of the areas."

These include projects involving sports and fitness, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals project, health, education and hospitality.

While the sports and fitness project will be located in south Howrah, the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals project will be located in the centre of the city.

The remaining project of education and hospitality will dominate north Howrah, with the area between Uluberia and Bally getting special focus.

"These three catalytic projects — along with the (Howrah) riverfront development plan — would play a major role in rejuvenating the 'Sheffield of the East'," Moulds said, in a reference to Howrah's past glory as an engineering hub.

A special purpose vehicle will be formed for the revival project. The firm is also offering advisory services for the restructuring of the sick public sector undertakings and tourism development project of the Damodar Valley Corporation.

	Print Story
UK help may make Howrah ‘Sheffield of the East’ Express news service Posted online: Friday, April 18, 2008 at 0205 hrs IST Kolkata, April 17 The much-needed revival of Howrah — Kolkata's twin city on the bank of the river Hooghly — could be a reality very soon. A major UK consultancy firm, Mott MacDonald, has identified three projects that could rejuvenate the decaying industrial city. The consultancy, which was appointed by the state government and Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) for drawing out a roadmap for the city's revival, will submit its final report by the end of this year. Michael Moulds, Mott MacDonald's team leader for urban and regional planning international, said: "We prepared a broad rejuvenation strategy for the entire area and have identified three catalytic projects for redevelopment of the areas." These include projects involving sports and fitness, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals project, health, education and hospitality. While the sports and fitness project will be located in south Howrah, the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals project will be located in the centre of the city. The remaining project of education and hospitality will dominate north Howrah, with the area between Uluberia and Bally getting special focus. "These three catalytic projects — along with the (Howrah) riverfront development plan — would play a major role in rejuvenating the 'Sheffield of the East'," Moulds said, in a reference to Howrah's past glory as an engineering hub. A special purpose vehicle will be formed for the revival project. The firm is also offering advisory services for the restructuring of the sick public sector undertakings and tourism development project of the Damodar Valley Corporation.