DARJEELING: Lalkhoti, an iconic building in Darjeeling that has become the headquarters of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), had closed its doors to visitors over a decade ago. Come November 15, it will again allow entry to tourists.
Located on the upper fringes of the town, Lalkhoti used to be one of the favourite sightseeing points for the tourists. Though not allowed to venture inside the premises, they could get an outside view of the place. It had gained prominence after the shooting of "Lalkuthi", a film starring Danny Denzongpa, Utpal Dutt and Tanuja and directed by Kanak Mukherjee in 1978.
However, it was made out of bounds for tourists and locals after the attempt to assassinate Subash Ghisingh in February, 2001. In fact, the incident prompted Ghisingh to put up a high wall around the premises. Flood lights were installed all around the building and thick grass cover was grown to make the structure invisible from outside.
But now, tourists will be able to visit the place that offers grand view of the surrounding areas from specific points inside the premises. It also boasts of a garden and two small ponds with variety of fishes.
"We will allow visitors inside the premises of Lalkhoti from November 15. They can take snaps of the surrounding area that has been beautified and offers great view of Darjeeling town," said Sonam Bhutia, tourism department secretary of the GTA. The GTA has decided to charge Rs 20 as entrance fee from tourists. "We basically want to promote the place as a tourist destination just as it was in the past. The amount that will be collected in the form of entry fee will be utilized for its maintenance," Bhutia said. Locals, though, will not be charged.
In fact, work will soon start to make cobbled pathways and a lighting system within the premises. Exotic plants will also be planted around the area. "We have made plans to design the area into a tourist-friendly spot," said the tourism secretary.
Bhutia, however, said that tourist would not be allowed to enter the office areas inside the main building. But, a tourist could meet GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung if and when he is available. "Gurung has quite a following outside Darjeeling Hills. I have received several requests from tourists to get them to take photographs with the GTA chief executive. We feel it is always nice to interact with people," he pointed out.
Located on the upper fringes of the town, Lalkhoti used to be one of the favourite sightseeing points for the tourists. Though not allowed to venture inside the premises, they could get an outside view of the place. It had gained prominence after the shooting of "Lalkuthi", a film starring Danny Denzongpa, Utpal Dutt and Tanuja and directed by Kanak Mukherjee in 1978.
However, it was made out of bounds for tourists and locals after the attempt to assassinate Subash Ghisingh in February, 2001. In fact, the incident prompted Ghisingh to put up a high wall around the premises. Flood lights were installed all around the building and thick grass cover was grown to make the structure invisible from outside.
But now, tourists will be able to visit the place that offers grand view of the surrounding areas from specific points inside the premises. It also boasts of a garden and two small ponds with variety of fishes.
"We will allow visitors inside the premises of Lalkhoti from November 15. They can take snaps of the surrounding area that has been beautified and offers great view of Darjeeling town," said Sonam Bhutia, tourism department secretary of the GTA. The GTA has decided to charge Rs 20 as entrance fee from tourists. "We basically want to promote the place as a tourist destination just as it was in the past. The amount that will be collected in the form of entry fee will be utilized for its maintenance," Bhutia said. Locals, though, will not be charged.
In fact, work will soon start to make cobbled pathways and a lighting system within the premises. Exotic plants will also be planted around the area. "We have made plans to design the area into a tourist-friendly spot," said the tourism secretary.
Bhutia, however, said that tourist would not be allowed to enter the office areas inside the main building. But, a tourist could meet GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung if and when he is available. "Gurung has quite a following outside Darjeeling Hills. I have received several requests from tourists to get them to take photographs with the GTA chief executive. We feel it is always nice to interact with people," he pointed out.
Source: TOI
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