Kolkata: A refurbished paddle steamer, built in 1944 at United Kingdom’s Dumbarton Shipyard, would be opened for public visit at Shyama Prasad Mookerjee (SPM) port soon, said Vinit Kumar, Chairman, SMP Kolkata.
Named ‘P S Bhopal’ in the length of about 63m and breadth of 9.2m, the steamer is of heritage value. It was being used as a training vessel by SPM Port, Kolkata (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust) at No.22 KPD.
With the completion of the lease agreement with the Training Institute in the year 2019, SMP Kolkata wanted to refurbish this vessel so that people will be able to have experience of old age technology and means of travel through the water.
Accordingly, SMP Kolkata went for a long term lease of the vessel, which was at that
point of time in a dilapidated condition and did not have its own propulsion.
Long term lease was selected through open tendering with the condition that the vessel will remain a property of SMP Kolkata throughout the period of the lease.
As per the lease condition, ‘P S Bhopal’ will remain in the river moored adjacent to the shore or jetty and will be self propelled with its own power. The craft will have an exhibition space, restaurant, small assembly etc.
The said vessel is in the verge of completion and few trials in the river have taken
place to ensure its safety of operation with passengers on board.
SMP Kolkata is planning to inaugurate the said refurbished vessel, the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent beginning of next month, according to the Chairman of SMP Kolkata.
Though the paddle is not operational now, the basic structure of the vessel has not 
been altered and new main engines with propulsion has been installed so that the vessel can move in the river with passengers on board so as to bring the real feel of the vessel when built in 1944.
