The Bengal government has approved funds for the Gajoldoba Development Authority (GDA) for infrastructure development in areas surrounding Bhorer Alo, the tourism hub the state has set up in Gajoldoba.

The hub is located around 25km from Siliguri and on the right bank of the Teesta. The funds have been approved three years after the formation of the GDA.

“We had sent a set of proposals for infrastructure development and improvement of amenities for tourists visiting Gajoldoba. We had sought Rs 14 crore from the state government. The state recently sanctioned Rs 1.31 crore for certain road projects. Work on all these projects will be taken up soon,” said Khageswar Roy, vice-chairman of the GDA.

Sources in the Jalpaiguri administration said the funds could be sanctioned in phases because of the state government’s austerity measures.

“The government has made road projects the priority so that visitors do not face any inconvenience in reaching Gajoldoba and adjacent attractions like the Bhramri Devi temple at Bodaganj and the Devi Choudhurani temple at Sikarpur. That is why funds for the proposed roads have been sanctioned in the first phase,” said a source.
The GDA is yet to get its own office and staff.

“The authority was formed to carry out infrastructure development in and around the tourism hub. However, it doesn’t have its own office yet. Proposals for recruitment of employees to the authority have been sent to the state but are yet to be approved,” said a member of the GDA.

Members of the authority, which is headed by the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri, hold meetings at the district collectorate in Jalpaiguri or at the irrigation department’s bungalow in Gajoldoba.

Roy, also the Trinamul MLA of Rajganj, said they had drawn up more plans for the area. “Along with the roads, we have decided to introduce drinking water supply and install street lights and benches in Gajoldoba for tourists. There is also a plan to carry out some landscaping work on the Teesta river bank,” he said.