CM Mamata inaugurates Kalighat skywalk ahead of Bengali New Year, calls it a 'long pending dream'

The much-awaited Kalighat Skywalk was officially inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday evening, just ahead of the Bengali New Year celebrations. The inauguration took place at 7 PM, marking the end of a years-long wait for improved pedestrian connectivity to the iconic Kalighat Temple.

The idea of the Kalighat Skywalk was first conceived in 2018, inspired by the successful model at Dakshineswar. The state government had allocated funds that year for the construction of a similar elevated walkway to ease congestion around the Kalighat Temple, which sees heavy footfall daily from devotees and tourists alike.

Despite the early funding, actual construction did not begin until 2022 due to multiple challenges. Disputes involving hawkers, land issues, and shifting utility lines led to repeated delays. Though the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had initially promised to complete the project within eighteen months, these hurdles pushed the timeline to nearly three years.

The ₹82-crore project has now become a reality and stands as a symbol of urban infrastructure progress in Kolkata. The skywalk is expected to significantly improve pedestrian movement while offering organized spaces for hawkers, who were promised proper rehabilitation during the planning stages.

The skywalk connects key areas surrounding the Kalighat Temple and aims to ease both congestion and safety concerns for thousands of daily visitors. Authorities believe the walkway will also help streamline tourism around the temple, one of the city’s oldest and most visited spiritual sites.

With the inauguration timed just before Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, the skywalk also adds a symbolic touch of new beginnings. Residents and shopkeepers alike expressed a mix of relief and excitement as the long-delayed project finally came to life.