Mamata's tourism push excites industry

KOLKATA/CHANDERNAGORE: Mamata Banerjee visited Chandernagore on Friday for Jagaddhatri Puja. Talking about her visit to Sagar Island on Thursday, the CM said her government was looking at other spots in Sagar Island and Darjeeling to develop as tourist destinations. She added that the beautification of the Hooghly was proof that the state’s plan for upgrading the tourism sector was successful.
The group of industry captains, who visited Sagar Island along with Mamata on Thursday, feels that it has the potential for both leisure and spiritual tourism.
Keventer Agro Ltd, which has a presence in the restaurant business, is already planning a joint venture with a city-based realtor. Mayank Jalan, managing director of the company said, “Whoever starts now, will have a first mover advantage there. We have already spoken to the CM and are waiting for the government to respond.”
Located about 100km south of Kolkata, Sagar Island is on the Bay of Bengal. Known for its importance as a destination for spiritual tourism, Gangasagar draws millions of devotees during ‘makar-sankranti’.
“But tourism can actually be extended beyond pilgrimage in the area. It is difficult to find such a beautiful long beach anywhere nearby,” said Sanjay Agarwal, managing director of Century Plyboards and president of MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The waves are not very choppy. Neither are they calm. That makes a perfect spot for adventure sports,” Agarwal said.
Kolkata-based Sumit Dabriwala feels that with the state government taking initiative, it has opened up ‘massive opportunity’. “There are a few issues regarding transport, power and sewerage, which the government is trying to address. Rest is left to the private investors,” he said. The Centre has approved Rs 500 crore for the facelift project for Gangasagar under the National Ganga River Basin Authority. While the Center will provide 70% of funds, state will provide the rest.
According to Vijay Dewan, MD, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd, there is an opportunity to create a destination resort for luxury travel and an economy hotel for pilgrimage tourism. The group will soon do a feasibility study regarding investment there. “The government is committed to provide full support for development of this area,” Dewan said.
According to Dabriwala, the state is also looking at the possibility of starting a sea-plane and chopper service. “With sea-planes you can bring down travel time to 30 minutes,” he said.
According to Jalan, the ease of accessibility is one of the key points to make a destination popular.