State tries to revive tourism, says Deb

Deb addresses the conclave in Siliguri on Tuesday. Picture by Passang Yolmo

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, Siliguri: State tourism minister Gautam Deb said on Tuesday that government was putting all efforts to revive tourism sector in north Bengal, especially in the hills.

Deb, while speaking at the North Bengal Conclave, an investors' meet organised by the NB zonal council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), admitted that the recent agitation and strike had adversely affected the industry.

The state is working hard to bring back tourists in Darjeeling, he said.

"The four-month long strike in the hills has badly impacted the tourism and tea sectors. This had hit the confidence build-up measure taken up by the chief minister in the past five years. We are trying to revive the sectors and also working to expedite development in the hills," said Deb.

With several prominent members of the business fraternity of north Bengal being present at the meet, he also elaborated on some plans of the state for the hills and for promotion of tourism in the region.

"The state has already sanctioned Rs 500 crore for the development works in hills. The tourism department is acquiring land at Deolo in Kalimpong for a project. Also, the NB development department has made some plans for hills. We are also working on the mega tourism project at Gazoldoba (close to the Teesta Barrage)," he said.

State finance minister Amit Mitra, who spoke through a vide address at the meet, claimed that in past two years, private investments proposed in north Bengal was around Rs 2,345 crores.