State takes several steps to boost tourism infrastructure

Kolkata: In a bid to further boost tourism infrastructure in the beach town of Mandarmani in East Midnapore, the state government has chalked out an elaborate plan. According to sources, several steps are being initiated to enhance road infrastructure in the area, installing more drinking water facilities, setting up of gardens and carrying out beautification of the area.

A meeting was recently held in Mandarmani where the district administration and hotel owners association discussed at length several issues. There has been an exponential increase in tourists’ influx in Mandarmani in the past few years.

It has become one of the main attractions for the tourists. The district administration has been taking various steps to ensure that the tourists coming to this beach town do not face any difficulties.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had recently asked for pulling down 140 hotels as they are located close to the sea and they allegedly violated environmental norms.

The state has, however, made it clear that they were not going to bulldoze these 140 hotels at Mandarmani, one of the top sea beaches in Bengal in the state.

Located around 180 km from Kolkata, it is considered the ideal outing destination during the winter months. The District Magistrate had given a demolition order for the hotels, following an order by the NGT for alleged violation of coastal regulations. The Calcutta High Court has temporarily stayed the NGT’s order for the demolition of seaside hotels and guest houses in Mandarmani.

According to sources, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was annoyed as the district administration acted without obtaining consent of the state top brass. State government clarified its stand that it is against such pulling down of hotels as it would disturb the tourists flow in the region. There are around 300 hotels and resorts in Mandarmani, with seaside accommodations being the main attraction for thousands of tourists, especially on weekends.

The district administration is now keen on giving a completely new look to Mandarmani with several infrastructural revamps are on cards.

Senior officials of the state pollution control board, District Magistrate of East Midnapore, SDO of Contai, BDO of Ramnagar block II, senior members of the Mandarmani Hoteliers’ Association held a meeting recently discussing how several initiatives will be carried out.