Kolkata, Jan 27 (IANS) West Bengal is giving priority to improving the infrastructure and roads to boost the tourist footfalls in the state by 10 percent in the next five years, a senior government official said Tuesday.
According to state tourism department's principal Secretary A.R. Bardhan, roadways construction and amelioration of road-links is a priority.
"We are implementing a project whereby every 30 km, there will be a motel (drawn on US lines) and a road-side facility. It will be implemented in the coming six months," he said on the sidelines of Destination East 2015, a tourism promotion event organised by the CII here.
According to the senior tourism official, improvement projects are going on in the Basanti highway, Digha road and NH-31 and NH-31C (in north Bengal) aimed to boost tourism in the state.
"We have already implemented road-works on the Siliguri-Kurseong road and now will work on the Kurseong-Darjeeling connecting road," he said.
The government is looking actively for private players' participation in river cruises along the Kolkata-Triveni and Sundarbans waterway and construction of eco-friendly hotels and lodges.
Also, it has drawn up a plan to reframe the tourism policy and has come up with numerous incentive schemes for private players to set up projects across the state. The incentive scheme will be implemented in February this year.
"Our objective is to enable one to drive to Sunderbans within two hours from Kolkata at a speed of 80km/hr... Thus, a lot of emphasis is being laid on betterment of roads," said Vijay Dewan, one of the directors of the board of West Bengal Tourism Development Corp.
International tourist arrivals in the state accounted for 12.45 lakh which grew at 2.4 percent of compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years while the domestic tourists accounted for 2.55 crore growing at 5.6 percent CAGR for the same time period.
The state government is aiming at attracting more tourists from Britain, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Australia apart from other 16 countries.
It also has increased the tourism budget to Rs.1,950 crore in the coming three years for development of tourism destinations.
Budget presented in Kerala amid ruckus in assembly
Thiruvananthapuram, March 13 (IANS) Kerala Finance Minister K.M. Mani on Friday presented the 13th state budget amid ruckus created by members of the Left opposition who are demanding his
A new era in the BJP: Nitin Naveen files nomination for the post of National President, set to be elected unopposed.
Bihar's young leader and former minister, Nitin Navin, has filed his nomination for the post of BJP National President. Prominent BJP leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and JP Nadda were
Jailer: Rajinikanth's 'Jailer' could not be released in Hindi till now, know here what is the reason
Rajinikanth's film 'Jailer' has been released in theaters on the previous day. With this film, 'Rajinikanth' has returned to the big screen after 2 years. Ever since the release of the trailer, the
Tirath Singh Rawat: What did the girls say on the statement 'Women have ripped jeans'?
The new CM of Uttarakhand Tirath Singh Rawat is in the discussion due to the statement on the jeans of ripped designing of women.
PAK vs SA: Pakistan avenges their previous defeat against South Africa, levelling the series with a massive win.
Pakistan defeated South Africa by nine wickets with 41 balls to spare in the second T20 International on Friday. This leveled the three-match T20 International series 1-1. The third and final T20
Flood in Pakistan: Nine died due to infectious diseases spread in Pakistan, in the grip of these diseases in the flood-affected province
After the flood waters receded in Pakistan, now infectious diseases are spreading rapidly. Nine people died due to these diseases in the flood-hit Sindh province in the last 24 hours. According to the
1171 Indian soldiers received UN medal in peacekeeping mission: For the first time in South Sudan, a female soldier led the parade
In South Sudan, 1171 Indian Army personnel have been awarded UN Medal for their excellent services in a peacekeeping mission. These include 5 women soldiers as well.
FIR against Mohsin Khan after controversy over bringing a goat into Mumbai society, Shinde resigns from Shiv Sena
Mumbai Mira Road Goat Controversy Mira Road resident Mohsin Khan, who came into the limelight for bringing a goat to his house ahead of Bakrid, has landed in yet another trouble. A 63-year-old female
RCB vs DC: Delhi is desperate to open the account of victory, it is not easy to beat Bangalore at home; Know Possible Playing-11
In IPL 2023, the doubleheader match will be played on Saturday i.e. 15th April. The 16th match of the IPL will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals. The toss will take place
Puri Jagannath: Mahabahu will depart from Janma Bedi to Ratna Bedi, a huge crowd gathered to see the return of the ruler of the world and pull the chariot
The play of Jagat Niyantara Jagannath Mahaprabhu was completed on Monday at Janam Bedi. Today, Mahaprabhu will depart from Gundicha Temple Janam Bedi to Ratna Bedi with his brother and sister. The
