Rs 700 Cr tourism upgrade plan For Kolkata-Darjeeling-Kalimpong and Mungpoo

Kolkata: In a bid to make West Bengal a tourists’ paradise, the State government is contemplating massive upgrade of infrastructure in tourism sector over the next two years.

After earmarking a fund of Rs 700 crore to be spent on this sector, the Tourism Department has sought the help of Rites Limited, for drawing up the plan for upgrading infrastructure with a view to promote tourism in the city of Kolkata, Darjeeling hills and the sea resort town of Digha.

Confirming the move, Tourism Minister Rachpal Singh said the Government was looking for Rites’ expertise in engineering to plan and develop a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for adding attractions to existing and potential tourists’ spots in the State.

Blessed with natural resources, the state also intends to harness the scope of beach and pilgrimage tourism to draw visitors from other states and abroad.

The Minister said Infrastructure could be improved on the basis of reports prepared by the Rites Limited. “The cost of proposed project could be known only after the report is received,” he said.

Two projects — Kolkata Heritage Mega Tourism Project and Dooars Mega Tourism Circuit — have been given priority for the year 2011-12, he said.

This apart, the State government is keen to revive the lost glory of Darjeeling after renovating and restoring some of the iconic heritage properties there. These heritage buildings included Planters’ Club, Gymkhana Club, St. Andrew’s Church, Darjeeling and Kalimpong Monasteries, etc.

The Tourism Department also has plans to restore the houses like Tagore Museum and Sureil Bungalow, associated with Rabindranath Tagore at Mongpu in Darjeeling district.

At Kalimpong in the same district, the Chitrabhanu House and Gouripur House would be co-opted in the circuit of museums, the minister said.

Courtesy-igovernment