Bengal mulling ropeways in Junglemahal

To lure more tourists to the captivating Ayodhya hills in West Bengal's Maoist-hit Junglemahal area, the state tourism department is planning to have ropeways in the region, an official said.

According to state tourism secretary A.R. Bardhan, the government was kicking-off major initiatives centred around Jhargram in West Midnapore. The Junglemahal refers to the belt comprising Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts.

"We are going in for destination development and designing one night-two day tour packages revolving around Jhargram. Few packages exist already but we are scaling them up. In addition, ropeways is another attraction we are considering in Mukutmanipur, Ayodhya hills and Subarnarekha," Bardhan told IANS.

Bardhan said surveys were being undertaken to assess potential for ropeways.

"Motijheel and Murshidabad are the other spots we will develop as top destinations," he said.

On an average, Junglemahal records a footfall of 10,000 tourists per day, said Bardhan.