Now, ropeway service to start in Alipurduar

The Bengal Government has decided to start ropeway service at the hills of Buxa. The project will be undertaken as soon as possible, said a Tourism department source.

According to the source, it will be the fourth ropeway service managed by the state government in Bengal. Darjeeling, Ajodhya hills and Mukutmanipur already has ropeway service. Now, Alipurduar will have the fourth such ropeway service, the source said.

The ropeway will connect Rajabhatkhawa village and Buxa Fort in Kalchini block, Alipurduar district. This ropeway service will be the second one in North Bengal, the source further said.

The government recently constituted its 'Home Stay Policy' to facilitate thousands of middle class families in the tourist spots in West Bengal. It was one of the steps to attract foreign tourists and earn revenue.

Now, this ropeway service will also attract the foreign tourists believe the officers of Tourism department.

"The home stay could enhance the Micro and Small Entrepreneurs (MSEs) engaging the local work force. Thus, the government felt a separate policy is required to frame of it. On the other hand, ropeways will attract the foreigners to see the place," said the source.

Once the ropeway service connecting Buxa Fort starts, 14 villages in that area will become favourite zones for tourists. Meanwhile, the historic Buxa Fort has become attraction of tourists after road connectivity was developed by the state government.

The location of the Buxa fort is on top of the hill. It is situated 2,600 foot above the land surface. The tourists have to cross 5 km by walk in upward direction. "If we could start the ropeway, increasing number of the tourists will visit the fort," said the source.

In the meantime, several Home Stays have come up in the settlements in north Bengal, mainly in the Dooars region – the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-east India around Bhutan.

Home Stays are very popular among Europeans and South Americans tourists.