Amit Mitra visited Gajoldoba

EOI, Siliguri: West Bengal government is all set to popularize Gajoldoba, 35 kilometers east of Siliguri, under Terai-Dooars forest circuit as one of the Megha Tourism Hub to improve the tourist inflow in the state.

Amit Mitra, state finance minister today visited Gajaldoba to inspect the ongoing project. According to Mitra the project will end within the month of November this years and Gajaldoba will be India’s biggest tourism project.

He said, “"We shall be adding Gajoldoba as our tourist circuit, which shall be developed as multi tasking tourism hubs and one of the biggest tourism project in India.”

He also said that the project is being done in the land of 208 acres and will be benefitted to about 5000 people who are unemployed.

The minister was accompanied by the District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri Pirtha Sarkar. The minister will submit the survey report of the ongoing project to the chief minister Mamata Banerjee after he returns back to Kolkata.

The state government has planned the concept of homestays for tourists who visit the state and seek an authentic experience. The proposed homestay sites also include Sibkhola, Gulma, Chimney, Pokhritar, Chitrey, Bagora, Lavdah and Takdah in Darjeeling hills.

Raj Basu convener of Association for Conservation of Tourism said that home-stays allow travelers to board and lodge with locals and get a first-hand feel of the regional customs and culture. This gives an opportunity to the residents to earn a livelihood as well.

West Bengal currently ranks ninth in tourism with tourist inflow of nearly 24 million per annum, and is looking to scale up inbound visitors upto 30 million over next two years.