Meet on Gajoldoba project

The site for the tourism project at Gajoldoba. File picture

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT,  Siliguri, June 18: Tourism minister Gautam Deb today said the state government would hold two investor sessions to showcase the tourism potential of Gajoldoba, the mega hub being developed on the right bank of Teesta river.

Deb today visited the site, named as "Bhorer Alo," (Light of the Dawn) by chief minister Mamata Banerjee and spoke to officials of different departments to know the progress of infrastructure development.

"We will hold two investors' meets for Gajoldoba, one in Siliguri and the other in Calcutta. At both the meetings, prospective investors and prominent entrepreneurs would be invited so that they can learn about the huge project that we have taken up," he said.

The project has been planned on an area of 208 acres and the estimated cost is around Rs 2,200 crore. Along with plush resorts, an ayurvedic spa, youth hostel, hospitality training centre, bird watching centre, golf course, boating, elephant and jeep safaris have been planned on the site.

In Siliguri, the meet would be held on June 30, while it is slated to be conducted in Calcutta next month, the minister said.

The tourism industry in north Bengal has been hit by the turmoil in the hills since June 8. Tourists, both domestic and international, had to leave the hills as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha announced an indefinite strike.

Sources said Deb had recently spoken to over 10 entrepreneurs who had shown interest in setting up luxury and budget hotels, restaurants and other facilities at Gajoldoba.

"State PWD will construct six bridges, a road-over bridge at Ambari and a connecting road from Lataguri to the site. A police outpost would be built in the area, along with facilities like uninterrupted power supply. It was necessary to know the status of such works," Deb said.