Rs 400-crore project to develop Sundarbans infrastructure

The West Bengal government is working on a Rs 400-crore project to develop tourism infrastructure in the Sundarbans on a public-private partnership model.

"We are launching a Rs 400-crore project at Jharkhali on a PPP model where we will construct hotels, an eco-tourism park for the development of Sundarbans," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here today.

Banerjee, who is on a three-day tour to the mangrove islands, said they are also going to build the first-ever zoo in the world's largest delta at a 100-acre plot in Jharkhali.

A 20-member delegation of leading industrialists including Harsh Neotia, Sanjay Budhia, Sanjay Agarwal and Utsav Parekh are also accompanying her on the trip.

Urging the industrialists to invest Banerjee said they had come here to see the places where they can invest money.

She also inaugurated a Tiger Rescue Centre here which was named as 'Byaghrosundari' (beautiful tigress).

The chief minister also named two tigers - 'Suhana' and 'Suhani'.

Stating that they want to conserve the endangered flora and fauna of the region, she said just like Digha and Ganga Sagar islands, they will build a gateway to Sunderbans also.

To augment infrastructure, the government is allotting Rs 90 crore for building roads and bridges in Jharkhali area, Banerjee said.

"People here have to face the crocodiles and tigers to survive. Sundarbans has been a neglected region as no one thought about it," Banerjee said.

Tourism department officials said the eco-tourism hub would have five star resorts, budget hotels, cottages, swimming pool, lake, club house, among others.

Besides this, on the lines of Jaipur's Chokhi Dhani, the resort would also have folk art performances by local artists.

"We will beautify Sundarbans. Foreigners will also come here," the chief minister said.

She also inaugurated the 725-metre-long Mridanga Setu connecting Mathurapur and Patharpratima.