CCTVs to monitor road between tourist spots

TT, 8 July 2019, Siliguri: The newly constructed jungle road that connects the Bengal Safari Park near here and Bhorer Alo, the mega tourism hub at Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri district, will have a comprehensive surveillance system for the safety of travellers.

Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb said here on Sunday that the entire 12km road that moves through the Baikunthapur forests would have CCTV cameras and watchtowers. The road, he said, will be opened ahead of Durga Puja.

"As the new road passes through dense forests, it has been decided that there will be surveillance and some restrictions on traffic. CCTVs will be placed to monitor vehicles and watchtowers will be erected at different locations. There will also be drop gates at each end of the road as heavy vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the route," said Deb.

The road, the minister said, was planned to connect two major tourist attractions which came up on the outskirts of Siliguri in the past few years.

"Tourists can easily move from Bhorer Alo to the Safari Park and vice-versa. As of now, they need to take turnaround routes which take more time," the minister said.

Sources said the installation of CCTVs, watchtowers and drop gates would be completed by the Durga Puja.

In due course, the state government has plans to introduce car safaris for tourists along the route.

They can enjoy the pristine forests, which are the habitats of elephants and other animals.

Deb said state transport minister Suvendu Adhikari would be in Siliguri on July 12.

"I will discuss with him a number of transport-related issues, including construction of a bridge to the tourism hub from Milanpally (a locality near the Teesta barrage). The bridge would facilitate the movement of visitors to the hub," said the minister.