Kolkata Launch Photo Frame (Medium)

The history of launches (motorized boats/ferries) in Kolkata is intrinsically tied to the Hooghly River and the development of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (formerly Calcutta Port) by the British East India Company in the late 17th century. These vessels, crucial for cargo and passenger transit between Kolkata and Howrah, evolved from traditional river craft into modern, motorized ferries over the centuries, complementing the city’s early, bustling maritime trade.