Move to expand Kurseong lodge

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 15 Dec 2018: Darjeeling: The Bengal government has decided to expand Kurseong Tourist Lodge, which is famous among locals and tourists alike for their mouth-watering chicken momos.

Gautam Deb, state tourism minister, said : "Anit Thapa (vice-chairman, board of administrators, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) gave us a proposal to extend Kurseong Tourist Lodge. We have decided to carry out the expansion work in the vacant land of the lodgeDeb, along with other senior tourism officials and architects, visited Kurseong on Thursday. Plans are afoot to set up dormitories and eating space at the lodge.

The tourism department has also decided to renovate the Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. "We had started a design competition and had asked 14 architects to come up with their designs. We have shortlisted 6 designs and after a final selection, tenders will be floated within a couple of weeks" said Deb who was in Darjeeling on Friday.

Plans are also afoot to set up a high-end tourism hub at Dooteriya helipad, about 20 kilometers from Darjeeling. The helipad had been set up by Subash Ghisingh, when he was the chairman of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in the mid-90s.