West Bengal steps up tourism push with coastal hub, INR 5 lakh homestay subsidy & Digha helicopter service
Image Credits - Hotelier India
The initiative would focus on creating job opportunities for locals while making family holidays affordable for middle- and lower-middle-income groups.
To boost blue tourism in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to develop a 27-km stretch of coastline in Purba Medinipur district into a cluster of tourist destinations, a INR 5 lakh subsidy for new homestays and enhanced safety measures for fisherfolk.
Speaking at an event, he said the initiative would focus on creating job opportunities for locals while making family holidays affordable for middle- and lower-middle-income groups.
He pointed out that the government recently extended the jurisdiction of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) up to the coastal areas. “The West Bengal government will develop the 27-km coastline between Talpati and Udaypur in the Purba Medinipur coastal belt into a cluster of tourist destinations, focusing on jobs for local people and low-cost family trips for the middle and lower-middle classes. Also, new homestays in designated tourist spots will get a INR 5 lakh subsidy, while Digha will get a helicopter service,” Adhikari said.
During a meeting with DSDA officials, the chief minister directed them to draw a development roadmap in coordination with tourism, forest, irrigation and waterways, PWD, environment and transport departments.
The chief minister also announced a series of initiatives for the tourism sector and the state’s fishing community. He said plans were set to extend development activities from Soula beach to Mandarmani and up to Petua. The key projects include development of new tourist spots and homestays, beautification of the Amarabati Park in Digha, reviving the closed snake park and operationalising helicopter services, Adhikari said.
(Source - PTI)
