Writers’ Buildings In Bengal Likely To Resume Role As State Secretariat

The historic Writers' Building is set to return as the administrative headquarters of the West Bengal government after remaining largely inactive as the state secretariat for the past 13 years. The move follows the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections and signals a symbolic shift back to one of Kolkata’s most iconic colonial-era structures.

Located in the heart of Kolkata, the 246-year-old red-brick building had long served as the centre of political and bureaucratic power in the state. However, in 2013, the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee shifted the state secretariat to a high-rise administrative complex in Howrah across the Hooghly River, leaving much of Writers’ Buildings quiet and underutilised.

Officials working within departments that continued functioning from portions of the building described a renewed sense of activity in recent days. Employees recalled the building’s historic atmosphere, marked by vintage wooden interiors, long corridors, iron-cage elevators and traditional administrative chambers, all of which contributed to its reputation as a landmark of Bengal’s political history.

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Soon after the election results were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party reiterated its commitment to restoring Writers’ Buildings as the seat of government. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya stated on May 5 that operating the administration from the iconic structure had been one of the party’s longstanding promises.

The planned return is being viewed not only as an administrative decision but also as a symbolic political statement aimed at reconnecting governance with Bengal’s historical institutional identity. Writers’ Buildings has historically been associated with major political developments in the state and remains one of Kolkata’s most recognisable heritage structures.

While officials have not yet announced a detailed transition timeline, increased activity inside the complex has fuelled expectations that restoration and reactivation work is already underway. The revival of Writers’ Buildings is likely to become a key part of the new government’s administrative and political narrative in West Bengal.

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