The Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), in collaboration with the West Bengal government and Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), is planning to redevelop the Howrah Station transit hub in Howrah, West Bengal, through a new 13-storey transit complex and upgraded subway infrastructure.

The state government will undertake an INR 45 crore (US$4.7 million) redevelopment project to retrofit the main subway near Howrah station and improve infrastructure in the adjoining area near Howrah launch ghat. Construction is expected to commence immediately after Durga Puja. Separately, the HMC plans to develop a 13-storey mixed-use complex at an estimated cost of INR 250–300 crore (US$31 million) through a PPP. The complex is proposed to include a bus terminus, car parking, retail outlets, offices, a food court and a multiplex, with the state government holding a 70% stake in the project. Survey and renovation activities are expected to commence after the festive season, with the government aiming to complete the works ahead of Durga Puja 2027. The subway network around Howrah station caters to approximately 60 lakh passengers daily and provides an important link between the railway platforms, East-West Metro, bus services and ferry operations. Officials noted that the infrastructure has not kept pace with the sustained growth in commuter traffic. According to the DPR, the Howrah main subway is about 350 metres long, while the ferry ghat subway spans approximately 50 metres. The proposed civil works include PVC-panelled ceilings, granite-finished walls, granite slab flooring, digital display boards, directional signage, and steel-and-glass canopies at the entry and exit points.

The electro-mechanical works will cover new internal electrical wiring and LED lighting, along with fire detection and alarm systems and comprehensive CCTV surveillance. The project will also involve upgrading the air-circulation system, installing air-conditioning in control and monitoring rooms, and providing escalators at Subway Gates 6 and 9 as well as two additional escalators in the ferry ghat subway. Other works will include strengthening the transformer capacity, installing dewatering pumps and setting up a public-address system. The DPR for the proposed 13-storey complex is yet to be prepared. Under the preliminary plan, the ground floor will accommodate a bus terminus, an air-conditioned passenger lounge with seating and television facilities, retail and book stalls, snack counters, and low-cost toilet and bathing facilities for passengers and the general public on a fixed-fee basis. 

The next two floors of the proposed complex will be designated for taxi and app-based cab facilities, while two additional floors will provide parking for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The upper levels are planned to house a shopping mall, food court, theatre and auditorium. The top two floors will feature affordable air-conditioned accommodation, waiting areas, snack bars and food stalls for railway and long-distance bus passengers. The rooms may be available for stays of up to two days, while balconies on the 12th and 13th floors are planned to provide views of the Hooghly River. A KMDA-developed skywalk will provide direct access from Howrah station to the accommodation and waiting areas. Four high-speed lifts will serve the entire complex, while the shopping mall will be equipped with broad staircases and escalators.