Mamata Banerjee has 'concrete' plans for Tagore's dream

During her visit to Birbhum district for an administrative meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Khowai area in this land of red soil and announced that the picturesque beauty of Khowai, which attracts tourists from across the globe, would be developed keeping its cultural values intact.

Mamata had instructed district authorities to consult with Viswa Bharati authorities and develop Khowai as a major tourist destination, and work has already begun towards this end.

District Magistrate Mohan Gandhi, talking to DNA, said that a survey has already begun and a detailed project report (DPR) would be ready within 15 days to be submitted at Nabanna, the state secretariat. "Many visitors already come to this place. The scheme is meant to develop that opportunity. The CM had personally visited the place and had instructed us to go for natural landscaping, without distorting the Khowai culture. We have formed a committee and it has started working towards it," he said, adding that help was being taken from the local people, who understand the place well.

The place will initially be cleaned up and sign boards will be put in place for tourists. Mamata had given clear instructions on putting up various amenities such as provisions for drinking water, toilets, places for the visitors to sit, special sheds and watch towers.

"People on the whole over here are very happy with the news. The CM has, in another project, said that the Saturday market that is put up adjacent to this place will also be developed. Some facilities would be provided for people selling indigenous wares here. The market, which was so far an unorganised one, would be streamlined for the benefit of both the local sellers and tourists from all over the world who come here and buy mementos," Gandhi said. Asked about the investment that would be required, he said that it would be clear only after the DPR was ready.

The authorities at Viswa Bharati University, too, welcomed the step. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Swapan Kumar Dutta, told DNA that they intended to keep encroachers away from the heritage place. "This is the land of Rabindranath Tagore and we want a buffer zone around the Shantiniketan area before the so-called development in the shape of concrete structures begins. There are several unauthorised hotels and resorts that have already come up over here, flouting High Court and Supreme Court norms. We welcome Didi's decision and hope it will act as a deterrent against those who are out to disturb the environment here, where the memory of the bard lives on. We not only want no new concrete jungle to come up over here, but will also request the authorities concerned to pull down the existing, illegal ones," he said.

Dutta also assured that if any kind of assistance was sought from them in terms of landscape architecture, their experts from the university's art department would be more than happy to lend their support.