Reliance Foundation announces ambitious restoration project for Kolkata’s Kalighat Temple Complex

The Reliance Foundation has engaged structural engineers and experts from Jadavpur University (JU) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-Guwahati), for the ambitious restoration project. The West Bengal Heritage Committee has given a go-ahead to the proposal after consultations with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) heritage panel and the Kalighat Temple Committee, a Times of India report said, quoting sources.

Kalighat Kali Temple, the revered 200-year-old shrine, is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. It’s believed that at the place where the Kalighat temple exists today, the toes of the right foot of Goddess Sati fell. The construction of the present structure of the temple was completed by Sabarna Roy Chowdhury in 1809.

At the Bengal Global Business Summit highlighting Reliance Industries’ commitment to West Bengal, Ambani revealed that the conglomerate has infused approximately ₹45,000 crore in the state. He further pledged an additional investment of ₹20,000 crore over the next three years, focusing on digital solutions, retail and bio-energy.

The Reliance tycoon emphasised the widespread coverage of Jio services in Bengal, stating, “Jio has covered most parts of Bengal.” He also revealed plans to introduce the “revolutionary power of 5G” to every corner of the state. With the rapid rollout of Jio Fibre and Air Fibre, Ambani envisioned transforming every home in Bengal into a “smart home”, enabling the use of Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing and other disruptive technologies to modernise various sectors of the economy.

Addressing the expanding footprint of Reliance Retail in the state, Ambani highlighted the support to hundreds of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the elevation of regional brands to national prominence. He outlined the positive impact of Jio Mart, bringing 5.50 lakh kirana merchants in the state under the umbrella of modern organised retail, fostering higher productivity and income.