The Bengal government will spend Rs 49 lakh to introduce adventure sports facilities at Bhorer Alo, the mega tourism hub near the Teesta river in Gajoldoba of Jalpaiguri district.

Officials of the state tourism department said they have floated a tender for the project, which they believe would increase tourists at the site.

“A site has been selected next to the enclosure of pet elephants. We hope work starts after monsoon. The facility will be ready for visitors by next year,” said Jyoti Ghosh, joint director of the tourism department (north Bengal).

Under the plan, facilities like a climbing wall, ramp for a commando walk, rope walking, parasailing and spider net would be developed at the site.

“The idea is to bring in more tourists at the hub, especially youngsters and adventure lovers,” added Ghosh.

In recent years, this is the second such initiative that has been planned by the state government to promote adventure sports.

Around three years back, the state forest department had launched a facility for trekkers in the hills and foothills of north Bengal. Route maps, along with accommodation facilities and attractions, were drawn and circulated to get more trekkers in the region.

“It however, didn’t turn out to be a success, probably because of lack of adequate campaign and then the pandemic. But it seems that this proposed project will work as the facility is coming up at a popular tourism hub,” said a tour operator.

Bhaskar Das, a member of the governing council of Indian Mountaineering Federation from Jalpaiguri, appreciated the new proposal.

“Along with adventure sports lovers, it will encourage educational institutions to organise excursions at the site as students can study the flora and fauna and simultaneously develop their skills in climbing or rope-walking,” said Das.