West Bengal to develop tourism infrastructure in a big way

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has laid stress on developing tourism infrastructure in a big way to attract visitors from the country and abroad, according to state tourism minister Bratya Basu.

Basu said that 'massive' work was under way to build infrastructure and underlined the importance of aggressive marketing to promote the sector.

He told the Assembly while replying to a question that 12 lakh foreigners had visited the state last year and maintained that this would show an upward trend once the tourism infrastructure like roads, power, water and tourist lodges were in place.

Twelve mega tourism circuits would be developed by the state government among which are Gajoldoba Mega-Tourism Project, Jharkhali Mega-Tourism Project, Buxa-Jayanti circuit and Jungal Mahal Circuit.

The eco-tourism destination of Lamahatta between Darjeeling and Kalimpong would be made more attractive to foreign tourists. A Detailed Project Report is almost ready for developing Henry Island in South 24-Parganas district, he said.

Apart from this, the minister also announced a list of eight major projects in the district including development of Sagarika tourist lodge at Diamond Harbour, renovation of Gangasagar tourist lodge and development of infrastructure at Gangasagar and Kachuberia, developing Pathar Pratima and Gadkhali.

There are 39 tourist lodges in the state of which 27 are run by the state government and the 12 others by private parties on lease.

Basu said that a coordinated move by the GTA and the state government would expedite the pace of development in the state soon.

He supported the Chief Minister's dream of making Digha beach resort into one like Goa and Darjeeling hills into one like Switzerland, and advised Opposition members in the Assembly to take the idea in its spirit.

There is nothing wrong to start with an idea before embarking on the chase of a big target - Beautiful Bengal, Basu said replying to a question.

State's Panchayat and PHE Minister Subrata Mukherjee said that water scarcity in the Darjeeling hills had been sorted out.