Newstrack

WB Tourism inks agreement with Mahindra Holidays to promote tourism in state

ETW STAFF - Kolkata

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India (MHRIL), a subsidiary of the Mahindra group, recently signed a MoU with West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) and Sunderban Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDC) for promotion and development of tourism in West Bengal. The MoU was signed in the presence of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the state chief minister, Manabendra Mukherjee, the state minister for tourism, micro and small scale enterprises and textiles, and Arun Nanda, chairman of MHRIL.

The MoU outlines areas of co-operation geared towards establishment of new destinations and upgradation/modernisation of existing tourist destinations in the state. MHRIL will commercially operate resorts developed by it to facilitate economic development and employment in West Bengal. WBTDC, SIDC and MHRIL will cooperate with each other to identify areas of tourist interest, particularly in the southern and northern parts of Bengal. Such co-operation shall include identifying suitable locations, the acquisition of lands identified and construction and operation of the resorts on the identified lands.

MHRIL will also undertake identification of sites, preparation of plans for their development and conducting of feasibility studies in consultation and with the co-operation of WBTDC and SIDC.

Commenting on the development, Manabendra Mukherjee, the state minister for tourism, micro and small scale enterprises and textiles, said, "Tourism is a key focus area of the West Bengal government and this initiative will help in providing better facilities to promote inbound and domestic tourism."

In the first phase, the MHRIL plans to set up five eco-resorts in the state at Darjeeling, Gorumara and Jaldapara in North Bengal, Mandarmani and the Sunderbans in South Bengal at an investment of Rs 200 crore. The company will need 10-20 acres of land for each resort, each having around 100-150 rooms. The project will 'kick-off' with an international-class eco-resort in the Sunderbans, probably by the end of this year.