Ahead of elections, Mamata Banerjee launches ₹261.99 crore ‘Durgangan’ cultural complex in New Town

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday laid the foundation stone of the ‘Durgangan’ project in New Town, on the outskirts of Kolkata. Announced earlier from the July 21 platform, the project marks the construction of another large cultural complex in Bengal, following the popularity surge seen around the Jagannath Temple in Digha. Construction work will begin immediately, with the deadline for completion set for September 2027, after which the complex will be opened to the public.

The ‘Durgangan’ will be built under the supervision of HIDCO, with the Tourism Department also entrusted with its management. According to administrative sources, the project will be distinct from conventional temple structures. Alongside the main structure, a museum will be developed to showcase art forms, cultural expressions and mythological narratives associated with Durga Puja, Bengal’s largest festival.

The total budget for the ‘Durgangan’ project has been fixed at ₹261.99 crore. The state government expects the project to give a major boost to tourism, similar to the impact witnessed in Digha after the Jagannath Temple initiative. Officials believe the complex will emerge as a major cultural and tourist destination in the Kolkata metropolitan region.

However, the project has triggered political debate. Opposition parties have questioned the use of government funds for what they describe as a temple project. The state government, however, maintains that ‘Durgangan’ is not a religious structure but a cultural initiative aimed at celebrating Bengal’s Durga Puja heritage, which received UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition three years ago.