Vivek Chhetri
Bimal Gurung today inaugurated an agriculture and tourism festival at Meghatar near here, where it was announced that the GTA had finalised tourism projects worth more than Rs 250 crore, which includes setting up of at least eight new tourist points in the hills.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration plans to develop Meghatar as a new tourist destination.
Meghatar is around 45km from Darjeeling
Bimal Gurung, the chief executive of GTA who inaugurated the nine-day festival, said: "There are hardly any open spaces left in the urban areas of the hills. This makes the tourists want to visit far-flung areas, and that is why we are developing new spots."
At Meghatar, the tourism department proposes to set up cottages, a lake, watchtowers and a statue of Lord Shiva at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. Meghatar, situated at an altitude of 5,800 feet, provides a panoramic view of Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
"At present, we will be spending about Rs 250 crore on tourism development in the hills. Most of the projects will be completed in three years. We will only be using local materials like bamboo and wood to construct the cottages. We will not use any concrete materials," said Sonam Bhutia, the executive director of the GTA tourism department.
The other new tourist spot which the GTA is working on is Nook Dhara (which is expected to cost Rs 9 crore) and Mulkhagra (expected to cost Rs 13 crore) in Kalimpong subdivision.
"Mulkhagra has is a lake where one can see the reflection of Mount Kanchenjungha," said Bhutia.
The other new tourism spots being developed by the GTA are cottages at Puttabong (which will cost Rs 5 crore), organic resort at Singla (expected to cost Rs 14 crore). They also plan to develop the hydel project at Sidra pong as a tourist spot at a cost of Rs 8 crore. These projects are based in Darjeeling subdivision.
"We are also reviving the Old Military Road from Dilaram to Kurseong. This would be a new tourist route," said Bhutia. The road is being repaired at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore.
The other new tourism project in Kurseong subdivision will be at Belatar.
"The survey for ropeways from Giddepahar to Rohini in Kurseong, Deolo to Relli in Kalimpong and Tukvar to Goke in Darjeeling is complete. We are now waiting for environment clearance," said Bhutia.
The GTA is also planning to develop Mirik Lake at a cost of Rs 37 crore.
"We will also develop the existing Manjushree Park in Mirik apart from developing the Tanga Road at Thurbo in Mirik," said Bhutia.
The tourism department is also building circular roads in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, apart from widening the Pankhabari Road, which connects Kurseong with Siliguri.
Source: Telegraph
Bimal Gurung today inaugurated an agriculture and tourism festival at Meghatar near here, where it was announced that the GTA had finalised tourism projects worth more than Rs 250 crore, which includes setting up of at least eight new tourist points in the hills.
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| Bimal Gurung plays a traditional instrument at Meghatar near Darjeeling on Thursday. Picture by Suman Tamang |
Meghatar is around 45km from Darjeeling
Bimal Gurung, the chief executive of GTA who inaugurated the nine-day festival, said: "There are hardly any open spaces left in the urban areas of the hills. This makes the tourists want to visit far-flung areas, and that is why we are developing new spots."
At Meghatar, the tourism department proposes to set up cottages, a lake, watchtowers and a statue of Lord Shiva at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. Meghatar, situated at an altitude of 5,800 feet, provides a panoramic view of Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
"At present, we will be spending about Rs 250 crore on tourism development in the hills. Most of the projects will be completed in three years. We will only be using local materials like bamboo and wood to construct the cottages. We will not use any concrete materials," said Sonam Bhutia, the executive director of the GTA tourism department.
The other new tourist spot which the GTA is working on is Nook Dhara (which is expected to cost Rs 9 crore) and Mulkhagra (expected to cost Rs 13 crore) in Kalimpong subdivision.
"Mulkhagra has is a lake where one can see the reflection of Mount Kanchenjungha," said Bhutia.
The other new tourism spots being developed by the GTA are cottages at Puttabong (which will cost Rs 5 crore), organic resort at Singla (expected to cost Rs 14 crore). They also plan to develop the hydel project at Sidra pong as a tourist spot at a cost of Rs 8 crore. These projects are based in Darjeeling subdivision.
"We are also reviving the Old Military Road from Dilaram to Kurseong. This would be a new tourist route," said Bhutia. The road is being repaired at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore.
The other new tourism project in Kurseong subdivision will be at Belatar.
"The survey for ropeways from Giddepahar to Rohini in Kurseong, Deolo to Relli in Kalimpong and Tukvar to Goke in Darjeeling is complete. We are now waiting for environment clearance," said Bhutia.
The GTA is also planning to develop Mirik Lake at a cost of Rs 37 crore.
"We will also develop the existing Manjushree Park in Mirik apart from developing the Tanga Road at Thurbo in Mirik," said Bhutia.
The tourism department is also building circular roads in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, apart from widening the Pankhabari Road, which connects Kurseong with Siliguri.
Source: Telegraph
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