Nabanna

Nabanna is the administrative headquarters of the West Bengal government on the bank of the Hooghly and consists of fourteen floors of glass and concrete. The complex houses numerous ministries and departments in a modern tower that rises above the river.

The building took over in 2013 from the Writers' Building, which had served as the seat of government for over two centuries. The relocation marked an important shift for the state administration, moving from Calcutta to Howrah.

The term comes from Bengali and means freshly harvested rice, celebrated each year during a traditional harvest festival. This connection to agriculture recalls the rural roots of the region, even though the building now sits in a densely built urban landscape.

The main entrance is on Sarat Chatterjee Road in the Shibpur district and can be reached by public transport. Visitors usually need prior clearance to enter the building, as it is an active seat of government.

The conversion from a garment park and bridge commission office into the state secretariat took place within just 45 days. This rapid adaptation made the structure an unusual example of repurposing commercial buildings into government seats.