Tollywood actress Sreelekha Mitra, who recently embarked on a solo trip to north Bengal, on Saturday praised the region as a safe place for solo woman travellers.

Sreelekha, who had been vocal after the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at Calcutta’s RG Kar Medical College & Hospital and also accused a Malayalam filmmaker of sexual harassment, told The Telegraph that at a time when women’s safety was under scanner in Bengal, north Bengal tourist spots were “secure”.

“I travel solo and also with a women’s group. In north Bengal, I have made many solo trips. The people here have always been very warm, welcoming, and friendly The environment here is secure which makes it an ideal destination for women who want to experience the joy of travelling alone. I prefer offbeat places here where I can just sit
and enjoy nature,” Sreelekha said.

The actress, who stayed at a homestay in Kalimpong, added: “People here are very cooperative...they even celebrated my birthday yesterday (Friday). The roads are also safe. I’d ask girls to make solo trips here.”

Sreelekha has posted on social media about her solo trip, which would encourage women travellers to visit the region in groups and alone, said tourism stakeholders.

“An endorsement from Sreelekha Mitra, who is a popular face in the entertainment industry, is significant as it will help address negative
perceptions about women travelling alone in India. Her appreciation will surely increase the footfall of women travellers in this region,” said a senior hotelier based in Kalimpong.

After the RG Kar tragedy, those associated with tourism have taken some initiatives to ensure the safety of women, particularly those travelling alone or in women-only groups.

The Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), an apex body of tourism stakeholders, has decided to mark accommodations and vehicles as safe, its sources said. They are also training grassroots tourist workers to make women’s travel safe.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of the HHTDN, also reaffirmed that north Bengal was safe for any traveller.

“We promote a safe and secure destination. In due course, we will introduce new facilities and special service points to facilitate better tourist travel, which will also help women who are travelling solo and in groups,” said Sanyal.