The Alipurduar district administration, jointly with a private entrepreneur, on Sunday started a daylong trip to Bhutan and places in the north Bengal district ahead of Durga Puja.
The trip, which would start from Alipurduar and Madarihat (known for the Jaldapara National Park, the largest habitat of one-horned rhinos in the state) every day, will take visitors to different locations of the district and Phuentsholing, the commercial capital in neighbouring country Bhutan.
R. Vimala, the district magistrate, introduced the service named “Dooars Darshan” from Madarihat. Officials of the district administration and the state forest department were also at the flag-off.
“We want tourists to visit the prominent spots of Alipurduar and Bhutan in one go. Many tourists who visit Bhutan move through Alipurduar while others spend days in the forests like Jaldapara and the Buxa Tiger Reserve. By availing this service, they can visit some more spots here,” said Vimala.
She pointed out that during monsoon months, tourists are not allowed to visit core areas of forests. “During those months, they can take the bus service (launched on Sunday) and move into different spots, enjoying a whole day. The service will be available round the year,” the DM added.
Arindam Ghosh, an entrepreneur based in Alipurduar who has launched the one-day tour, said the buses, each with 16 seats, would take tourists to Phuentsholling. From there, they will be taken to Dima View Point, Rajabhatkhawa Museum, Jainti and Sikiajhora where tourists can enjoy boating.
The buses would then move to Maa Paradise Amusement Park and Majherdabri tea estate before returning to Madarihat or Alipurduar.
“We will charge ₹999 per head, which includes lunch and all entry tickets. The tourists will not have to stand in queue at the Bhutan gate to obtain a pass. Entry tickets to Rajabhatkhawa will also be provided to them,” said Ghosh.
Every day, the bus from Alipurduar would leave at 9.30am and another from Madarihat at 9am, after the first trip of the elephant safari in Jaldapara. “The timing is such that tourists can take the bus from Madarihat after the elephant safari,” said Ghosh.
The service will be monitored by the district administration.
