Chairman of Mahindra Holidays Arun Nanda said that MHRIL intends to set up four to five resorts in the state. The resorts will be situated at Jaldapara, Gorumara, Mandarmani, Darjeeling and Sunderbans.

“In the first phase, we will invest Rs 200 crore. Around four to five resorts, each having around 100 rooms, will be built,” he said

The group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and the Sundarban Infrastructure Development Corporation on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and other ministers concerned.

“The MHRIL shall develop and commercially operate the resorts developed by it so that it enables the rapid economic development and employment in the state,” a statement released by the group stated.

Talking to the reporters, Nanda said that the chief minister has expressed interest in developing Sunderbans as a world-class destination. The group’s team has identified two sites in the region, but is yet to finalise the site. The work, however, is expected to commence before the year-end, he said.

The group has said that all its projects will be put in place, keeping environmental considerations in mind. Nanda assured that “till environmental assessment study has been completed, we will not dig a hole”.

Each of the resorts — falling in three to four star categories — will be located on 10 to 20 acres of land and will have around 100 rooms.