A proposal of Rs 24 crore has been submitted to the Centre this July for the renovation of 12 ghats along the 260 km stretch of the Ganga from Kolkata to Azimgunj in Murshidabad.

"In order to attract private players, we need the right infrastructure first... jetties, food parks, public toilets, shopping malls and fencing on the ghats," said TVN Rao, the managing director of WBTDC .

Currently, private players who want to start barge and ferry services at the ghats are discouraged by the lack of infrastructure facilities.

According to the proposal, Dakshineswar, Belur, Chandernagore, Mayapore and Plassey are among the 12 ghats identified for the renovation project.

"Of the 12 ghats, Serampore and Chandernagore are in deplorable conditions," Rao added.

According to WBTDC, around 39 lakh domestic and international tourists visit these ghats every year, of whom 25 lakh visit Belur and Dhakhineswar.

As the Centre has shown significant interest in it, the corporation expects to receive development funds within a month.

"Once that is done, we will hold a meeting with all stake holders like Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, Kolkata Port Trust and Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The development work will be executed by other departments of the state government, while WBTDC will monitor it," Rao said.

Money has already been allotted for the renovation, depending on the condition of various ghats.

According to the proposal, Rs 191 lakh will be spent on Serampore ghat, Rs 320 lakh on Plassey, Rs 437 lakh on Azimgunj and Rs 112 lakh on Mayapur. Meanwhile, an infrastructure development firm has already started work on a luxury cruise project (three nights and four days) from Kolkata to Azimgunj.