Sunderbans set for Rs. 185-crore fillip.

To give a boost to the tourism potential of the Sunderbans, Rs. 185 crore is being invested by both the state and private players. While the state tourism department has decided to invest Rs 60 crore, private players are investing Rs. 125 crore.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) A R Bardhan said that despite it being a World Heritage Site, Sunderbans has never been very popular among tourists due to the dearth of hotels there. The only government tourist lodge at the Sunderbans has 30 rooms, but those are hardly up to the mark.

'Many tourists, especially foreigners, don't prefer going there because there is no upmarket hotel or resort at Sunderbans. To change this, the government has earmarked 100 acres of land at Jharkhali. Already, two important projects are afoot. The tourism department will invest Rs. 60 crore for the purpose,' Bardhan said.

He added that Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, with a pilot project at Sunderbans, has forayed into the East. 'They have acquired five acres of land and will invest Rs. 50 crore in the first phase for a luxury resort. Paper works for the same will be completed within two months and work will begin in six months,' Bardhan said.



THE INDIAN EXPRESS