The Hindu Business Line : Bengal Govt plans boost to water sports

Kolkata May 15 The West Bengal Government is firming up plans to promote water sports on the Hooghly, according to Dr G.D.Gautama, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department.

"The Hooghly will be positioned for a water sports complex to promote upmarket cruises, houseboat stays, speedboat rides and parasailing," he told Business Line.

Investment

The State Government will invest nearly Rs 4.30 crore over the next three years to promote water sports activities. Of this, Rs 1 crore will be invested in 2007-08, while the rest will be invested over the next two years. Nearly Rs 1 crore will be spent on renovating the fleet of four vessels currently used for river cruises.

Besides, the Government plans to invest Rs 80 lakh to acquire four houseboats and an additional Rs 2.5 crore to promote high-end cruise services, parasailing and speedboat rides and in upgradation of river infrastructure.

Lodges

The State Government is also mulling the public-private partnership route to improve operational efficiency in Government tourist lodges.

Currently, there are 36 tourist lodges with 499 rooms under West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation, of which 11 are on management contract with private players.

"These lodges are being restructured under the UK's Department for International Development programme. In the next three months, we will take a decision on partnering private players for upgrading these lodges," Dr Gautama said.