Tourism hub plan for Gazoldoba

Siliguri, May 13: The state tourism department today unveiled the details of a proposed tourism hub at Gazoldoba in Jalpaiguri and invited investors for the project. Vikram Sen, principal secretary of the department of tourism, said the hub — one of the key projects announced by Mamata Banerjee for north Bengal — would be developed through a public-private partnership and investments to the tune of Rs 1,800 crore would be invited from private players. The investors would be provided with a 203-acre vested plot next to the Teesta Barrage Project. “The state government will carry out infrastructure development like (building) roads, drainage, drinking water supply and beautification. The remaining work would be done by the private firm. We have mentioned our requirements before the prospective investors. Tenders would be invited in June. Once the investor is finalised, it would take two years to finish the project,” Sen said. The hub would have two luxury hotels, five budget hotels, a health spa, a golf course, entertainment and exhibition centres, a water body and a water park, he added. “The firm selected would be told about the requirements again. It would then draw up a detailed project report mentioning the usage of land and other relevant details, get it endorsed with us and go ahead with the construction,” a senior official of the tourism department said. The proposed project would be the largest of its kind in the region in terms of area and facilities. Today, Sen interacted with the stakeholders in the tourism industry in north Bengal at a seminar titled Scope and Avenues of Adventure Tourism in West Bengal. “The state is keen to explore avenues of adventure tourism and wants to create opportunities for visitors. North Bengal is an ideal destination for such tourism. On February 28, we held a similar interaction and sought proposals. We have received proposals for 25 projects related to adventure tourism like rock climbing, aero sports and jungle-based activities. We would look into these projects,” Sen said. Mohan Tickoo, vice-president of Adventure Tour Operators’ Association of India, said: “We have asked the state to create avenues and improve infrastructure for such tourism. Our association is ready to extend all co-operation as it can help in employment generation and have a positive effect on the local economy.”