Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee inspected the site for the proposed Banga Bhavan in Puri, Odisha, on Wednesday. The five-acre site for the guesthouse was chosen by the Odisha government. On Thursday, she is slated to call on Naveen Patnaik, her opposite number in Odisha.

After inspecting the plot, Mamata said: ‘’I liked the land earmarked for the guesthouse that will be built for devotees coming from Bengal. The new airport is coming up here (Sipasarubali) and a bridge is also coming up. It’s one of the best spots in the area. I will meet Naveenji tomorrow and discuss the matter with him.”

Mamata was referring to the bridge that was being built over the Mangala river. She termed Puri as the “first home and sweet home” of Bengalis.

Mamata thanked Naveen for sending chief secretary PK Jena, Puri district magistrate Samath Verma and other officials with her to inspect the site. The guesthouse will be built for lowbudget tourists coming from Bengal.

The site is 10km from the Jagannath temple and 11km from the Puri railway station.

Banerjee also offered prayers at the Jagannath temple on Wednesday.