Lalkhoti a hit among Hills tourists

Deep Gazmer, TNN | Apr 18, 2013, DARJEELING: It is not a tourist spot in true sense but ever since it was thrown open to public in November last year with the initiative of the tourism department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the visitors' flow to Lalkhoti is on the rise.
"Initially, when we opened the gates of Lalkhoti to tourists very few ventured inside. However, as words went around through tour operators, the footfall is rising," said Biswaraj Pariyar, senior official in the tourism department and also in charge of the ticket counter.
According to Pariyar, the footfall on daily basis on an average is around 200 in the lean seasons. However, the number rises during peak tourist hours.
Tourists are charged an amount of Rs 20 per adult while children below the years are allowed free entry. Arrangement has also been made to provide free cups of Darjeeling tea to the visitors.
Located on the upper fringes of Darjeeling town with pristine forest cover, Lalkhoti used to be one of the tourist points in the itinerary of tour operators. Though they were not allowed to venture inside the premises, tourists could get an outside view of the place and take pictures.
However, after the assassination bid on Subash Ghisingh's life in February, 2001, Lalkhoti was made out of bound for tourists as well as locals. In fact, the incident prompted Ghisingh to put up high wall fence around the premises with flood lights, high security and high grass growth that made the structure invisible from outside.
"We want to re-promote Lalkhoti as a tourist destination. It is iconic and has rich history that tourists will like," Pariyar said. "We have well manicured garden and ponds for tourists. The beautiful Kanchenjunga in the background is visible on sunny days. Tourists can take pictures with their family to reminiscence their stay in the Hills town," he added.
The tourism department is also developing a "Bollywood Corner" on the premises of Lalkhoti. "We will have posters and pictures of famous Bollywood movies shot in the Hills over the years with mention of the years and places. This we believe will be an attraction to the tourists," said Pariyar.
The GTA has already christened the Happy New Year Bridge at Jamuney, 8km from Darjeeling town, as the "Barfi Bridge" after the film by the same name starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.
Work will also soon start to have cobbled pathways, a landscape and lighting system within the Lalkhoti premises. Exotic plants will also be planted around the area.