Kolkata: The much-demanded bridge over Hatania-Doania river will be opened shortly providing a sigh of relief to tourists visiting Bakkhali.
To reach Bakkhali, the tourists have to cross Hatania-Doania river by launch while vehicles are ferried by barge. Though two barges are deployed, the tourists have to wait for hours together during festive seasons. During low tide, vessel services are suspended causing further inconvenience to the commuters. Because of this, many tourists are reluctant to visit Bakkhali.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took the initiative to construct the much-awaited bridge connecting Namkhana with Bakkhali.
The final touches are being given to the 3 km long bridge. Once constructed, tourists will be able to reach Bakkhali by road. They will also be able to visit Frasergunj, Henry Island and Jambudweep.
Manturam Pakhira, the state minister for Sunderban Affairs department, said the economy of Bakkhali and its adjoining areas would improve manifold. The tourist flow would be doubled and the visitors will be able to go to other tourist spots situated close to Bakkhali as well.
Senior officials of the department said once the bridge was ready, Bakkhali would come up as a major tourist attraction. The vast areas between Namkhana and Bakkhali will be bubbling with economic activities.
"Bakkhali has tremendous potential and shortly it will feature in the tourist map of Bengal. Like Digha and Tajpur, it will come up as a tourist destination. More hotels will come up and this will give more jobs to local youths," an official said.