Palace light & sound

TT, Siliguri, June 8: North Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh today said a light and sound system would be introduced at Cooch Behar palace at a cost of around Rs 10 crore and a butterfly park would be built in Alipurduar.

He said his department would also develop an eco park on the banks of the Mora Torsha river on the outskirts of Cooch Behar town.

"We are planning to introduce light and sound system at Cooch Behar palace to attract more people. It will function on the lines of the one at Red Fort in New Delhi. The historical background of Maharajas of Cooch Behar is significant. The system will entail a cost of Rs 10 crore," the minister said after holding a meeting with district magistrates of five of the seven north Bengal districts at Uttarkanya here today.

He said a team from the north Bengal development department would visit Delhi shortly and meet officials of the Archaeological Survey of India for necessary permission to install the light and sound system at the palace.

With regard to the butterfly park, Ghosh said a plot had been identified at the Parade Ground in Alipurduar. "The park's estimated cost is Rs 25 lakh. I have asked the forest department to prepare a detailed project report," he added.